Functional pastes combine metal or ceramic powders with solvents, binders, and additives to form defined patterns through screen or gravure printing. The binder controls flow during printing and supports pattern integrity, film strength, and substrate adhesion after drying.
S-LEC™ S Series is a range of modified PVB binders designed for printing, adhesion to ceramic green sheets, lamination, and cutting processes. The grades differ in their fundamental properties and solvent compatibility. Refer to the grade-specific catalog for detailed properties, comparison data, and guidance when selecting candidates for evaluation.
In screen and gravure printing, stringing or paste splashing after plate release can affect line width, edge definition, surface uniformity, and subsequent processes. Conventional PVB provides film strength and adhesion, but its elongational behavior can lead to stringing, depending on the resin concentration, solvent, powder, and printing conditions.
S-LEC™ S Series is designed for elongational and rheological behavior during printing. In resin-sheet tests under SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals’ specified conditions, it demonstrated at least 3.6 times the adhesion strength and three times the strain of ethyl cellulose, supporting material design from printing through lamination and cutting.
Selecting a binder for a functional paste requires more than checking solvent solubility. Required flow and film properties vary with the powder type and particle size, solids content, resin concentration, target viscosity, printing method, and drying conditions. Evaluate dissolution during preparation, viscosity changes during storage, flow after powder incorporation, printed-pattern retention, and substrate adhesion.
S-LEC™ S Series includes grades developed for multiple solvent systems, including low-polarity solvents, and a range of formulation and printing conditions. Compare the grade-specific data to identify suitable candidates for evaluation in your formulation and process.
S-LEC™ S Series is used as a binder when metal, ceramic, or other functional powders are formulated into solvent-based pastes. One representative application is conductive paste used to form MLCC internal electrodes. The binder supports paste flow, stringing control, retention of printed patterns, adhesion to dielectric green sheets, and the film properties required for lamination and cutting.
Its potential also extends to conductive inks, battery materials, solar cells, sensors, laminated components, and 3D printing materials. SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals can recommend candidate grades and evaluation approaches after reviewing the filler, solvent, printing method, drying conditions, and thermal-processing requirements.
Binder selection depends on the filler, solvent, printing method, drying conditions, and firing process.
Ethyl cellulose may be considered when viscosity and thixotropy control or compatibility with existing screen-printing formulations are important. Conventional PVB is commonly evaluated for adhesion to inorganic materials, film formation, and film strength. Acrylic binders can be considered when thermal decomposition and reduced residue after firing are key requirements.
S-LEC™ S Series is intended for applications requiring a balanced evaluation of stringing, pattern retention, adhesion, and lamination performance. Share your formulation and process requirements with us to identify candidate grades for testing under actual operating conditions.
Q. What solvents can be used?
A. S-LEC™ S Series offers solubility in a broad range of solvents, including alcohols, esters, ketones, and high-boiling solvents. Compatibility varies by grade and solvent composition. Share the solvent or solvent blend you plan to use, and SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals can review suitable grade candidates.
Q. Is S-LEC™ S Series suitable for screen and gravure printing?
A. Candidate grades are available for both screen and gravure printing. The required viscosity and flow behavior depend on the powder, solids content, solvent, printing plate, and printing speed. We can recommend candidates after reviewing your formulation and printing conditions.
Q. How is stringing evaluated?
A. Evaluate stringing based on the solvent, resin concentration, powder, solids content, printing plate, gap, squeegee speed, and printing pressure. Test under conditions close to the actual process to compare string length, break time, and the resulting pattern shape.
Q. How does S-LEC™ S Series differ from ethyl cellulose?
A. Ethyl cellulose is often used to adjust viscosity and thixotropy. S-LEC™ S Series is a candidate for evaluation not only of printability but also of adhesion to inorganic materials, film strength, and suitability for lamination processes. Final performance depends on the formulation and processing conditions.
Q. Can S-LEC™ S Series replace ethyl cellulose directly?
A direct replacement at the same addition level may not be possible. Resin concentration, solvent composition, powder content, viscosity, drying conditions, and printing parameters may require adjustment. Share your current formulation and process concerns so that we can recommend an appropriate evaluation approach.
Q. What kind of pastes can S-LEC™ S Series be used?
A. S-LEC™ S Series can be evaluated in pastes containing metal, ceramic, or other functional fillers. Its suitability depends on the filler type and particle size, the solvent, the printing method, the drying conditions, and the thermal-processing requirements. Assess each application individually.
Q. Which grade should I select?
A. Candidate grades depend on the powder, solvent, solids content, target viscosity, printing method, drying conditions, and required film properties. Share your operating conditions and current challenges with SEKISUI Specialty Chemicals, and we can help identify suitable grades for evaluation.
Q. Can I request a sample?
A. Sample availability is reviewed individually. To support grade selection, please provide information on your application, powder, solvent, current binder, printing method, thermal processing conditions, and technical challenges. Share these details so we can assess suitable candidates and sample availability more efficiently.
