When sampling, it is important to experiment with a number
of different materials so that we are able to confidently develop our speaker
products. With the fixed main material as paper, it would be the conductive
materials used when producing the coil that we would sample.
BARE conductive electric paint is a “non-toxic, solvent
free” paint that once applied and left to completely dry for around “5-10
minutes” becomes “conductive”.
Similarly to some projects looked at, the paint is
therefore a liquid wire and enables us to draw coils for our speaker circuit.
The paint, however only comes in the colour black and as a result limits how
far we are able to push the aesthetics of the product. In addition, the paint is
“water soluble”. This may suggest that it would not be the most suitable
material to use for a speaker product in our chosen market of camping and
travelling. These activities are predominantly outside where many liquids may
come into contact with the developed products. As a result we will need to
consider possible waterproofing or protective coatings if the BARE conductive
paint was something we wanted to use.
Bare Conductive (2014). BARE Conductive.
Retrieved from http://www.bareconductive.com.
YShield
High Frequency Shielding Paint
This
is a “water-based paint” that is “based on a high quality pure acrylic binder”.
The “shielding paint” is suitable to be used for “walls, ceilings, doors and
other interior or exterior surfaces”. It has a “high water resistance” and
“good adhesion on many surfaces”. The paint is also “frost-resistant” and is
effective when just a single layer is used. Similarly to BARE conductive paint,
the liquid dries very quickly.
The
paint has a “carbon structure, without fibres or meshes” and therefore gives a
good “consistent attenuation” which would give an
undistorted sound electronic signal. Again, the colour of the paint is only
presented as black, however, the weather resistance qualities of the paint
suggests that it is a more appropriate liquid over the BARE Conductive paint
for our speaker concepts. In contrast, the cost of the YShield paint at “$89.95 per litre”
would also need to be considered. The supplier of the paint is in the US, which
may result in problems with the accessibility of the paint.
Less EMF (n.d). Less EMF. Retrieved from
http://lessemf.com/paint.html.
SPI Supplies®
Brand Conductive Carbon Paint
The paint is made from “micrographite particles” which are “uniformly
dispersed in isopropanol”. The paint and has also has a “small amount” of “polymer”
in the recipe to give “extra adhesive” qualities. The liquid air-dries at “room
temperature” making it easy to use for a range of applications.
SPI (n.d). SPI. Retrieved from
http://www.2spi.com/catalog/spec_prep/cond_paints3.php.