FLEXIBLE, PRINTED HEATERS FOR MODERN APPLICATIONS

Printed heaters offer innovative solutions for applications requiring flexibility, weight reduction and energy efficiency. They are also known as heating foils or thin-film heating systems. The heaters are produced by applying electrically conductive pastes or inks onto suitable substrates. This is achieved by using printing technologies, such as screen printing or inkjet printing. Conductive media include silver-, carbon- or graphene-based inks, while substrates range from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films and glass, to textiles.

The principle of printed heaters is based on the resistance heating effect (Joule’s law): When an electrical voltage is applied to the printed structures, the conductive layer heats up and distributes the heat evenly through the substrate. Printing technology enables precise design of heating patterns, allowing customisation of shape, size and performance characteristics.

Printed heaters are flexible and lightweight and are applicable on curved or deformable surfaces, foils and textiles. In addition, they are cost efficient because of minimal material usage. They also offer design flexibility because they are adaptable to geometry and performance requirements. Furthermore, printed heaters are energy efficient as they provide localised, targeted heating.

“Printed heaters are flexible and lightweight”

Printed heaters can be used in a wide variety of applications. Amongst these, heated exterior mirrors, wheels and seats in the automotive industry. In medical technology, they can be used in smart patches and heated textiles. Smart textiles is another area of use in sports and functional clothing with heating abilities. Printed heaters are also used for floor, wall and mirror heating in the construction and household sector. Finally, they can be used for temperature stabilisation of displays, batteries or cameras in the world of electronics. 

Conductive inks are used, such as silver nanoparticles, carbon black and graphene. Substrates include PET, PI, TPU, glass, ceramics, paper and textiles.

Screen printing is a proven, cost-effective method for large area and reproducible heating structures – particularly suitable for roll-to-roll (R2R) mass production.

“Printed heaters are energy efficient as they provide localised, targeted heating”

Precise stencil production plays a key role in implementing efficient printed heating systems. KIWO offers extensive expertise and a comprehensive product portfolio. Particularly noteworthy are AZOCOL Z 177 FL, AZOCOL Z 173/1 FL-H, and AZOCOL S 305 FL. 

These are high-end photo-emulsions designed for applications requiring maximum resolution and edge sharpness. ‘FL’ stands for fine line – when combined with high-quality steel meshes and exposure films or chrome masks, line widths below 30µm can be achieved. In addition, Kiwo supports customers in selecting and applying suitable conductive printing media (including Henkel systems).

KIWO offers tailor-made solutions for reproducible and economically efficient manufacturing processes in printed electronics.