Paint Thinning Lessons: Difference between revisions
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New page: =Lessons on Thinning Paint= The silver conductive paint from Less EMF: [http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/842.html MG Chemicals 842-20G)], is extremely viscous and expensive (about $30 ... |
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=Lessons on Thinning Paint= | =Lessons on Thinning Paint= | ||
The silver conductive paint from Less EMF: [http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/842.html MG Chemicals 842-20G)], is extremely viscous and expensive (about $30 for 0.7 oz or 20 g). Hence we decided to thin the paint by diluting it with | The silver conductive paint from Less EMF: [http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/842.html MG Chemicals 842-20G)], is extremely viscous and expensive (about $30 for 0.7 oz or 20 g). Hence we decided to thin the paint by diluting it with household chemicals rather than purchasing a specialized paint thinner as recommended by many manufacturers. Neither water nor rubbing alcohol (iso-propanol), both of which are polar protic solvents, worked for diluting this paint. The polar aprotic solvent acetone, on the other hand, did work. We didn't try any nonpolar solvents like butyl acetate, because they weren't readily available. | ||
In short, we found that '''dilution with acetone was easy and cost effective''', since every hardware store carries it in the paint removal aisle. | |||
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* Alcohol - similar to water, but faster to dry. It's recommended for thinning [http://www.semicro.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2 SE Micro Silver Paint] | * Alcohol - similar to water, but faster to dry. It's recommended for thinning [http://www.semicro.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2 SE Micro Silver Paint] | ||
* Acetone - cheap alternative to butyl acetate | * Acetone - cheap alternative to butyl acetate that dries quickly and meets our needs in silk screening circuits. It's also an ingredient in some commercial paint thinners. | ||
* Butyl acetate - the recommended thinner of conductive paints according to [http://www.lessemf.com/paint.html Less EMF]. Forms of acetate are also common ingredients in commercial paint thinners. | |||
==A Couple Conductive Paint Thinners== | ==A Couple Conductive Paint Thinners== | ||
* [http://www.2spi.com/catalog/msds/msds05004.html SPI Thinner] - Product #05004-AB; 05004-DA; 05004-RA Thinner Silver Paint | * [http://www.2spi.com/catalog/msds/msds05004.html SPI Thinner] - Product #05004-AB; 05004-DA; 05004-RA Thinner Silver Paint | ||
** Acetone - More than 20% | ** Acetone - More than 20% | ||
** N-butyl acetate - More than 15% | ** N-butyl acetate - More than 15% | ||
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* [http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/ProductPage.aspx?assetname=335073&page=GRID&category|cat_282|1022=Solutions Midas Silver Conductive Paint Thinner] - Product #335073 | * [http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/ProductPage.aspx?assetname=335073&page=GRID&category|cat_282|1022=Solutions Midas Silver Conductive Paint Thinner] - Product #335073 | ||
** Butyl acetate - unknown percentage | ** Butyl acetate - unknown percentage | ||
Revision as of 19:32, 7 August 2009
Lessons on Thinning Paint
The silver conductive paint from Less EMF: MG Chemicals 842-20G), is extremely viscous and expensive (about $30 for 0.7 oz or 20 g). Hence we decided to thin the paint by diluting it with household chemicals rather than purchasing a specialized paint thinner as recommended by many manufacturers. Neither water nor rubbing alcohol (iso-propanol), both of which are polar protic solvents, worked for diluting this paint. The polar aprotic solvent acetone, on the other hand, did work. We didn't try any nonpolar solvents like butyl acetate, because they weren't readily available.
In short, we found that dilution with acetone was easy and cost effective, since every hardware store carries it in the paint removal aisle.
Chemicals in Conductive Paint Thinner
The choice of thinner depends on the medium, in which the conductive metal particles are suspended.
- Water - good for latex based paints and recommended for thinning SE Micro Silver Paint
- Alcohol - similar to water, but faster to dry. It's recommended for thinning SE Micro Silver Paint
- Acetone - cheap alternative to butyl acetate that dries quickly and meets our needs in silk screening circuits. It's also an ingredient in some commercial paint thinners.
- Butyl acetate - the recommended thinner of conductive paints according to Less EMF. Forms of acetate are also common ingredients in commercial paint thinners.
A Couple Conductive Paint Thinners
- SPI Thinner - Product #05004-AB; 05004-DA; 05004-RA Thinner Silver Paint
- Acetone - More than 20%
- N-butyl acetate - More than 15%
- Ethyl acetate - More than 20%
- Toluene - More than 20%
- Midas Silver Conductive Paint Thinner - Product #335073
- Butyl acetate - unknown percentage