Carbon conductive ink is a versatile electronic material where fine carbon particles are suspended in a liquid binder, forming a conductive track once the ink dries. Unlike traditional metal wiring, carbon ink allows you to “draw electricity” directly onto surfaces like paper, plastic, glass, or fabric without soldering or etching. Because it air-dries at room temperature, resists corrosion, and offers stable conductivity, carbon ink is widely used in sensors, electrodes, flexible circuits, and education kits—like our Electricity on Paper Kit, where kids can sketch working LED circuits with a simple pen stroke.
How Carbon Conductive Ink Works
Carbon ink consists of nano- to micro-scale carbon particles uniformly dispersed in a resin and solvent. When applied and dried, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a continuous carbon network. This film provides stable conductivity with a resistivity in the range of 50–80 Ω/cm, making it ideal for low-voltage, safe-to-touch electronics. Its viscosity (<1 Pa·s) allows smooth spreading with a brush or blade. Unlike copper, which oxidizes to form a non-conductive layer, carbon’s chemical stability ensures long-lasting performance even in open-air conditions.
Key Advantages
- Cost-effective – Much cheaper than precious-metal inks like silver or gold.
- Corrosion-resistant – Carbon does not oxidize or lose conductivity in air.
- Flexible & durable – Adheres well to plastics, PET, paper, and textiles.
- Safe & mild curing – Many formulations dry at room temperature.
- Tunable resistance – Formulation allows adjustment for sensors, resistors, or low-current traces.
Everyday Uses
- Membrane switches & keyboards – Most calculator and remote buttons use carbon ink contacts.
- Biosensors & electrodes – Used in glucose test strips, ECG electrodes, and medical devices.
- Heaters & resistors – Ideal for making flexible resistive heaters or embedded resistors.
- PCB prototyping & repairs – For signal lines or low-power circuit traces.
- STEM education – Lets students draw working circuits in classrooms safely.
How to Use It
- Shake well before use to redistribute the carbon particles.
- Draw or apply a smooth line where conductivity is needed.
- Allow to dry completely at room temperature or with mild heating.
- Test with a multimeter – good lines show resistance in the ohm-to-kiloohm range depending on length and thickness.
- Store sealed below 30 °C for maximum shelf life.
Contact us:
- Carbon Ink : https://anydmaterial.com/product/carbon-conducting-ink/
- Phone: +91 90823 86899
- E-Mail: anydmaterials@gmail.com
