SPI-Chem™ Conductive Platinum Paint/Suspension
Instructions for use
The SPI-Chem™ Conductive Platinum Paint/Suspension was formulated to be an air-drying
composition for applications where silver or other alternatives can not be used so platinum
represents a clear advantage.
Application of the product:
We have a number of customers who are using this product, but they have provided us with very little
information concerning exactly how they are using it. As we understand it, most users are applying
the paint as it is received, and the thinner is used only to replace evaporated solvent and to adjust
the viscosity of the suspension. The paint should be dry to the touch in several minutes and dry
enough to be fired or to be put into a vacuum in a few hours.
The best rule for the amount to use is that you should use as little of the paint as possible, because it is so expensive.
Air drying applications:
When the application calls for use of the product in an air-drying protocol, one needs only to
apply a small quantity of the suspension, with the brush (or even a tooth pick). One should
use good judgment in terms of drying time before insertion into a high vacuum or UHV system.
Exposure to temperatures of 130°C will accelerate the evolution of the liquid carrier and
exposure to temperatures of roughly 325°C will result in the decomposition of the small
amount of organic binder present and also the gaseous products from that decomposition. The
rate of heating from room temperature to 325°C should be not faster than 1°C per minute
in order to avoid "bumping" of the film of (as yet unsintered) Pt solids.
Sintering of the Pt layer for high temperature applications:
The air dried Pt paint can be sintered in order to produce a layer that is more like the bulk
properties of Pt. In an inert atmosphere for the Pt and also, one that would not cause
problems to the substrate, heating up to and through 325°C is the first step and then
heating can proceed at a faster rate, such as 10°C per minute up to and perhaps through
1000°C at which point the platinum should be expected to sinter into a continuous
Pt coating. The preferred method would be to do the sintering in a vacuum furnace but any
other oven with the appropriate inert atmosphere would work just as well.
In both instances, if there is evaporation of the carrier and it becomes necessary to dilute
down the remaining suspension, be sure to use the special
platinum paint thinner.
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Thursday August 07, 2008
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