Conductive Coatings Comparison
Conductive coatings, as EMC solutions, are represented by three principal technologies. These technologies include conductive paint, vacuum metalization and electroless plating. The processes associated with the application for each of these coating technologies are significantly different. As such, the selection of one or more of these technologies for a new program can be dependent on the capability or adaptability of each process to that application.

Performance properties for each of these technologies also vary. The significance of these variations is, in part, related to the nature of each process as well as limitations that are inherent in each coating technology.

This technology summary is intended to provide a synopsis of each of these major conductive coating technologies as a reference and guide for the end-user and specifier. It is not intended to provide a general endorsement of  any specific technology. Instead, the information provided should be used to assist in understanding these processes and aid in better technology selection on an application by application basis. It is Spraylat’s observation that achieving the desired cost and performance objectives, for any program, has its basis in the understanding of the individual coating process and its application. The best result is obtained by understanding the characteristics of the coating process early in the product design cycle.