SPI Silver Streaker for SEM applications, 30g

SPI Silver Streaker™ for SEM applications, 30 g:

The SPI Supplies Silver Streaker is a unique silver paint application system, ideal for mounting powders, granules, particles, and anything requiring minimum exposure to liquids or vapors. Pressure is applied to the sponge top applicator which then releases a thin, even discharge of silver paint. This layer is extremely thin, evaporates literally in a flash, and uses minimal silver solids for each application of the paint. The SPI Silver Streaker was actually an invention of the early workers in the Structure Probe SEM analytical services laboratories where the need for this kind of product was readily recognized.

Exclusive silver paint application system, ideal for mounting powders, granules, particles, and anything requiring minimum exposure to liquids or vapors. Neat, economical, too - pressure applied to sponge top applicator releases a thin, even flow of paint.

The SPI Supplies Silver Streaker is indicated for use whenever fine powders are to be mounted, as well as samples known to have "wicking" problems for normal paint products, such as papers and fabrics. Silver Streaker is high in silver solids, is both highly conductive and non-beam sensitive, making it for many users far superior to double sided tapes and/or epoxies.

Electrical properties:

• Percent Silver Solids:      43%
• Cure temperatures:   Room temperature
• Sheet resistivity:   <0.1 ohms/area/mil

More useful information 

The SPI # 05005-AB Silver Streaker is a highly concentrated suspension (43% silver solids) of specially prepared and tightly controlled high purity silver powder combined with a highly effective organic suspending and binder system. The product is formulated to produce electrically conductive circular areas about 3/4" (19 mm) or lines drawn of that width over nonconductive and relatively flat smooth surfaces. The product is also designed for strictly room temperature air drying applications since for the most part, samples being mounted for SEM can not tolerate higher temperatures.

The product is sufficiently versatile that it can be dried at elevated temperatures as well, especially for those using the product in UHV (e.g. ultra high vacuum) systems.

We are often times asked about drying "rate". Of course the real question being asked is how long does one have to wait before inserting their specimen into the column and vacuum system of their SEM. And, like with so many other things, there is not an unambiguous answer. Drying time is a function of the thickness of the layer applied, the temperaure of the substrate, the temperature of the ambient air, porosity of the surface, just to name a few factors.

The thinner SPI # 5004-AB was originally formulated for "thinning" the SPI Silver Paints but this thinner can also be used to "thin down" the SPI # 05005 Silver Streaker product. However, one has to use great care in removing the top "pad" top of the product, and then once removed, pouring in the required amount of thinner. This can be messy and should be done only in a ventilated fume hood, and with suitable eye protection. Only this recommended thinner should be used for optimum results.