Best conductive adhesive: how to choose?

Print anything with Printful



Conductive adhesive is important for electrical projects, with varying levels of conductivity and adhesion strength. It comes in tape form to prevent leakage, but outgassing can be a problem, so low-outgassing versions should be considered. The carrier material determines conductivity, with copper being better than carbon. Low adhesion may be needed for some projects. Tape size is important, and low outgassing versions should be used for safety.

Most adhesives are not suitable for electrical components, but the appropriate conductive adhesive can help complete electrical projects. The amount of conductivity, which is usually determined by the backing in the conductive adhesive, is important in some designs. A project may require a low bond strength or a higher level, so this type of adhesive often has varying strength, which should be considered. This type of adhesive is attached to a strip of duct tape, it’s not a liquid, so the size of the tape can also matter. Outgassing can be a problem with this type of adhesive, so it might be smart to get low-outgassing versions.

Conductive adhesive is used for electrical components, so it’s often a smart idea to check the amount of conductivity in the adhesive. While there can be varying levels within the same material due to size and purity, the carrier material is the largest consideration for this. For example, carbon is usually a low electrical conductor, while copper generally conducts electricity better.

Projects that require an adhesive normally require the bond to be strong, but there are some electrical projects that require low adhesion to help the circuit work properly or to make it easier to remove the adhesive later. This makes checking the adhesion level of the conductive adhesive an important consideration. Most offer standard or high adhesion rates, because these are used more often, but low adhesive is also available.

Most adhesives come in a liquid or paste form, but conductive adhesive typically comes in the form of a tape. This is usually better for circuit boards or metals that need the conductive surface, because it prevents the adhesive from leaking onto important parts. With this sticker attached to the tape, the size of the tape will normally be a major consideration. If the tape is too narrow, several strips may be needed, while the wide tape may cover too much surface area.

Adhesives normally emit gas, which means that the harmful gas from the chemicals comes off the adhesives. One of the biggest culprits for this, due to the materials used to make it, is the conductive adhesive. If the adhesive is being used in a project that will involve many people, high outgassing can be a problem and can cause some people to pass out or have other problems. This means that it may be a good idea to find a low outgassing adhesive to avoid the problem.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content