Conductive Coating

Coatings for plastics · Spray applied

Conductive coating is a metal-, carbon-, or graphite-filled binder that gives a nonconductive surface controlled electrical conductivity.

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What is Conductive coat?

It is used for grounding, electrostatic dissipation, electrodes, and prototype circuits; EMI shielding is a specialized system-level use.

How it works

Conductive particles dispersed in a liquid binder are sprayed, brushed, or printed onto a prepared substrate. As the carrier evaporates or the resin cures, particles form a percolating network. Conductivity changes with particle type, film thickness, cure, humidity, bending, and contact design. Silver and copper systems can be highly conductive; carbon systems are typically more resistive but useful for static dissipation. Mechanical fasteners need designed contact pads because the binder itself can isolate particles at the interface.

Why specify it

Adds electrical function to polymer and composite surfaces
Supports grounding, static dissipation, sensors, and prototype traces
Can be applied selectively with masking
Particle chemistry allows a wide resistance range

Where it falls short

Resistance is product- and thickness-dependent
Bending and abrasion can break the conductive network
Copper systems can oxidize
A conductive coating is not automatically a qualified EMI shield

Conductive coat at a glance

Conductive coat is a middle-of-the-range finish; its best score is cosmetic quality (20 of 100), at a premium cost. Surface hardness is not rated: the finish leaves the part's own surface.

Corrosion protectionLow15 / 100

Surface hardnessNot rated—

Cosmetic qualityLow20 / 100

LubricityLow15 / 100

Relative costPremium60 / 100

Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion comes from salt-spray life (ASTM B117, log scale) and hardness from the finish layer's Vickers or pencil hardness; cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Economy on the radar is the inverse of cost.

Conductive coat key numbers

Typical values from the governing specifications and shop practice; bars are this finish against the highest value among coatings for plastics finishes.

Thickness15–50 µm0.59–2 mil

Thickness

15–50 µm provisional class range; exact product data sheet controls

Electrical

Conductive

Colours

silver
copper
black
gray

Appearance

Functional metallic or carbon-colored film with visible spray texture.

Specifications for Conductive coat

The documents a drawing cites to define this finish, with the Type / Class rows that apply. Each links to a page explaining the standard.

Drawing call-out

SILVER-FILLED CONDUCTIVE COATING ON INDICATED INTERIOR REGION, 20–30 µm DFT; SHEET RESISTANCE PER APPROVED PRODUCT DATA SHEET; KEEP CONTACT PADS UNTOPCOATED

Which materials take Conductive coat?

Verdict per material family, with the grades that behave differently. Each family links to its datasheets in the material library.

Material family	Verdict	Notes
Polymer	Yes	Activation or primer may be required.
Brass	With care	Clean tarnish and qualify adhesion.
Composite	With care	Existing conductive fibers can alter current paths.
Copper Alloy	With care	Clean tarnish and qualify adhesion; some solvents stain copper.
FDM	With care	Seal porosity so the conductive network is continuous.
Magnesium Alloy	With care	Needs conversion coating or primer before an organic film.
MJF	With care	Clean and seal the surface before coating.
SLA	With care	Post-cure and check solvent resistance.
SLS	With care	Seal pores before applying a continuous measured film.
Zinc Alloy	With care	Needs conversion coating or primer; some solvents attack zinc.
Aluminum	Limited	Bulk aluminum is already conductive; use only for isolated polymer-on-metal joints or repairs.
Stainless Steel	Limited	Stainless is already conductive; coating is rarely justified.
Steel	Limited	Bulk steel is already conductive; this coating is for polymer and composite surfaces.
Titanium	Limited	Titanium is already conductive; coating is rarely justified.
DMLS / SLM	No	Metal AM is already conductive.

How Conductive coat is applied, and what it does to the part

1Clean and activate
2Mask circuit or conductive region
3Mix dispersed coating
4Apply controlled passes
5Cure
6Measure thickness
7Measure resistance
8Protect non-contact areas if required

Dimensions	Allow the named product thickness and keep contact lands free of insulating sealers; do not rely on incidental thread contact.
Build-up per side	15–50 µm — Adds the cured conductive film thickness.
Masking	Usually needed. Mask insulation zones, creepage paths, connectors, threads, optics, antennas, and adhesive areas.
Electrical	Conductive
Appearance	Functional metallic or carbon-colored film with visible spray texture.
Added lead time	3–8 working days on top of the bare part

Design rules for Conductive coat

What to decide on the drawing before the part goes to the finisher.

Specify sheet resistance or point-to-point resistance and test geometry.The word conductive is not a measurable acceptance criterion.
Design broad exposed contact pads.Fasteners through a particle-filled binder give variable contact.
Protect the film from abrasion outside contact zones.Wear breaks the particle network.
Maintain creepage and clearance around high voltage.Overspray can create an unintended conductive path.

Conductive coat versus the alternatives

Finishes engineers weigh against Conductive coat, and when each wins.

Finish	Corrosion	Hardness	Cosmetic	Cost	Thickness	Choose it when
Conductive coat this page	15	—	20	$$$	15–50 µm	—
EMI Shielding Coating Conductive coat vs EMI Shielding Coating →	20	—	25	$$$$	15–30 µm	when the requirement is assembled enclosure shielding
Vacuum Metallization Conductive coat vs Vacuum Metallization →	45	—	94	$$$$	0.05–1 µm	when a deposited metallic film is more suitable

Conductive coatEMI Shielding Coating

The radar overlays Conductive coat with EMI Shielding Coating, its most common alternative — chosen when the requirement is assembled enclosure shielding. Scores in the table are 0–100 across every finish in the catalog.

Cost, lead time and compliance

Relative cost

Conductive Coating is a premium-cost finish ($$$): more expensive than about 70 % of the finishes FabDigit quotes.

Finishing is priced per part with a lot minimum, from FabDigit's own China-side rates. The exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.

Lead time and compliance

Added lead time	3–8 working days
RoHS	Compliant
Notes	Confirm metal powder, solvent, binder, and restricted-substance compliance for the named product.

What Conductive coat is used for

Grounding paths
Static-dissipative fixtures
Prototype electrodes
Sensor surfaces
Printed circuit prototypes

Conductive coat — frequently asked

what is conductive coating

It is a cured binder containing silver, copper, nickel, carbon, or graphite particles that form an electrical network. Resistance depends on product, thickness, cure, and test geometry.

is conductive paint the same as EMI shielding paint

Not necessarily. EMI shielding paint is a conductive coating selected and integrated into an enclosure with controlled seams, apertures, and grounding.

how thick is conductive paint

This broad record uses a provisional 15–50 µm range. Production drawings should replace it with the named product's qualified thickness and resistance.

can conductive coating be soldered

Some specialized silver systems accept low-temperature attachment, while many polymer binders are damaged by soldering heat. Follow the exact product data sheet or use a mechanical contact.

does conductive paint wear off

Yes. Abrasion can remove a 15–50 µm film and break its conductive network. Protect it with geometry or a compatible sealer while leaving intended contacts exposed.