Benchmark Study of Screen Printable Silver Inks on a PPE Based Substrate

In this study, two silver inks are screen printed and their performance on a PPE polymer compound is evaluated. Both physical and chemical surface pre-treatments are used to modify substrate surface roughness and energy. Electrical performance of printed structures is evaluated by sheet resistance measurements. In addition, a crosscut adhesion test is used to evaluate mechanical performance of printed patterns. Low sheet resistances can be obtained with used materials. However, there is a significant difference in adhesion level. By substrate surface pre-treatments, adhesion level can be improved, and tape test ink removal can be decreased even from 15% to 0%. These results indicate that PPE substrate may be utilized in production of high quality printed electronics applications.