Fabricating metal articles from printed images

Abstract

Abstract Methods for fabricating two-dimensional imaged metal articles on webs by electroless deposition of metal onto a catalytic pattern rotogravurely printed onto moving webs travelling at linear speeds of up to 500 meters/minute using low viscosity catalytic ink comprising polymer and compound, complex or colloid of a Group 1B or Group 8 metal. Such two-dimensional imaged metal articles comprise areas or fine lines, e.g. less than 100 micrometers wide, which are useful as electrical devices such as circuit connectors, antennas and the like or as mechanical devices such as levers, gears and the like. With modification of the metal component or addition of other materials, such two-dimensional imaged metal articles can be useful a electronic devices such as diodes, resistors, capacitors and the like or as energy conversion devices such as batteries, sensors or fuel cells. The catalytic inks have appropriate rheological properties of viscosity and surface tension that permit non-sagging, non-spreading images to be printed onto a web which can travel vertically into a drying zone.

Inventors

• 👤 Albert W. Morgan
• 👤 George D. Vaughn

Bibliographic Details