Resonating disk sensor for conductive ink cure monitoring

The feasibility of developing a sensor capable of monitoring the cure process of thick-film screened conductive inks is explored. A cure monitoring sensor has been developed, based on changes induced in the resonance behavior of a 5 MHz shear-mode lithium niobate resonator disk. The conductive ink was screened onto one surface of the disk. The return loss and phase at resonance were monitored over time and temperature, from which the series equivalent-circuit resistance was determined. The series equivalent-circuit resistance is a well-behaved function of the cure cycle.<>