Spray shield paint aka graphite

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

Does anybody know where a reasonably priced < $20.00 spray shield paint aka graphite is sold?
Searches on Amazon are of the most annoying as it does not recognize -words and even a sort by price is useless.
I want to do some shielding on a project to keep RF out. I could do the copper tape stickum trick but it gets messy and is wasteful.
I see the MG Chemicals can for $40+ and that's just not right .
Any ideas on where?

[madires]

Graphit 33, or better use EMV 35 (more expensive).

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

I'm in the US. Is that a product available here? A search reveals only golf clubs on eBay.
I just don't see anything over here...

It's all to do with  LEAD !!!!! LEAD !!!!!! LEAD
How did the world ever get this far without the lead scare.

Where's the stuff these folks used back in the day. Probably cost pennies....

Quote from: madires on Today at 03:11:41

Graphit 33, or better use EMV 35 (more expensive).

[madires]

Then better change your country to US.

https://www.crcindustries.com/where-to-buy/

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

They have no reference to Graphit 33 only lubrication products.

[hendorog]

Does that approach work?

Hard to see a thin layer having very good conductivity compared to copper.

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

It gets int every nook and cranny that copper foil would not. It's not about passing current, just an RF shield.

[ucanel]

Not the thing that you are looking but
this is a cool way to coat something with metals.

https://youtu.be/9OEz_e9C4KM

https://youtu.be/Cyu7etM-0Ko
https://youtu.be/Cyu7etM-0Ko

[Bud]

It is cool but totally not practical.

[eliocor]

Search for "colloidal graphite" or "aquadag"
You can also use: https://electrolube.com/product/nscpnickel-screening-compound-plus/
https://www.tme.eu/Document/3a4dc9b13d1c7d13f1a935cd3db9778e/NSC%20%20_en.pdf

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

https://www.amazon.com/ELECTROLUBE-NSCP400H-Conductive-Coating-AEROSOL/dp/B06W548Z9Q
NSCP400H Only $63.00 per can

I'll look for it later
Quote from: eliocor on Today at 06:28:53

Search for "colloidal graphite" or "aquadag"
You can also use:

https://electrolube.com/product/nscpnickel-screening-compound-plus/
https://www.tme.eu/Document/3a4dc9b13d1c7d13f1a935cd3db9778e/NSC%20%20_en.pdf

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

Totally over priced! But as the man said cool.
I think Glasslinger did a few sputtering experiments,
Quote from: ucanel on Today at 05:30:32

Not the thing that you are looking but
this is a cool way to coat something with metals.

[eliocor]

Yes, NSCP400H is expensive, but its RF shielding properties are much better than colloidal graphite:
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~ddlchung/Improving%20colloidal%20graphite%20for%20electromagnetic.pdf
http://davidlu.net/13869667.pdf

[amspire]

Black Acrylic artist ink is conductive. The resistance is a bit too high on its own but it can be copper plated after application using a piece of scrap copper and a copper sulphate from the hardware or one of the copperless plating solutions (often a bit of acid like vinegar, salt, sometimes antifreeze). A just did a test and a 1cmx2cm patch of acrylic ink on plastic had a resistance of about 8K.

[thm_w]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/emi-spray-experience/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/prototyping-rf-shielding/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/esd-ifying-plastic-containers-with-conductive-paint/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/emi-shielding-a-plastic-diy-electronics-box-(al-foil)/

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

Interesting links. The ones that are helpful (or not) are the ones that referenced Zinc Copper and Aluminium paint.
I don't know how well they would perform though.

[madires]

EMV 35 spray is copper and provides shielding >60dB.

[BravoV]

In Europe and Asia, Kontakt Chemie is quite popular, and for that purpose Graphit 33 is enough as I used before at similar purpose, also its really good for repairing silicone membrane switch at remote.

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

Still no help here in the US

[Mechatrommer]

if you have any idea what i've gone through just to get it, you'll grab the $40 water based MG small bottle from digikey US today... i got one (841WB-150ML) and taxed 100%. initially i was looking for non water based coating since i guess they will stick better, but they are heavy poison grade (thanks to californication) there is no way they can get imported to me... blockage will be on both sending and destination countries, i was very close to get it from a lady individual person in australia but luck is not on my side. the normal bottle size for industry is like $300 and more... ymmv.

[Fraser]

Just to add to the “Graphit 33” recommendations. I use it to re-coat the mica Windows of end sensitive Geiger Muller tubes. It works superbly as that is what was originally used. I bought mine from Farnell UK. I just checked Newark USA and sadly they do not appear to carry that product. I was not aware that spray graphite was prohibited in the USA so hopefully someone can supply it ? There is also spray copper paint that is conductive but I have not used it myself.

[Fraser]

Hmmmmm, interesting, it certainly appears that graphite spray can paint is not common in the USA 

I note that non spray versions are available so presumably the issue is with the aerosol propellants ?

Time to invest in a small Modelling compressor and cheap airbrush maybe ? Spray the graphite paint using the airbrush after adding a thinning agent. My modelling compressor was around £50 for a decent unit and is great for blowing out equipment fans, PCB’s etc so always useful to have around.

https://ph.parker.com/us/en/emi-shielding-paints?cm_mmc=Google%20PPC-_-SLG_CHO-_-ppc%20campaign-_-parker%20chomerics&gclid=CjwKCAjw2dD7BRASEiwAWCtCb7LHSxgMH01DqNEU1ikGzi4ir6V4VQ_YNvkmNt4XpTBHPEdaATxzABoCWAkQAvD_BwE

Fraser

[madires]

Hmmmmm, interesting, it certainly appears that graphite spray can paint is not common in the USA 

I note that non spray versions are available so presumably the issue is with the aerosol propellants ?

That's strange! Graphit 33 is simply an acrylic resin paint with graphite powder. Nothing special, just like any other lacquer spray.

PS: Your compressor is cute.

[Siwastaja]

Black Acrylic artist ink is conductive.

I wouldn't think so, having measured a few different.

Are you sure you aren't measuring it while still wet/moist? They are water-based and seem a bit "conductive" for many hours until the solvent (water) completely evaporates.

You can mix fine graphite powder in acrylic paint/ink however, this is what I have successfully tried for through hole activation before electroplating. It needs to be very fine powder, though.

[Alex Eisenhut]

I don't know about spray cans since they might be difficult to ship due to regulations about hazardous materials.
If you don't really need a spray can, you can buy conductive graphite paint in small bottles.
Apparently musicians use it to shield the inside of guitars and bass guitars etc to reduce hum.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Military-Grade-Conductive-Shielding-Paint-for-Strat-Tele-Style-Guitar-Bass/303498722926?hash=item46a9eefe6e:g:jO8AAOSw8q9eVTWA
I use it to repair keyboard membranes on my 8 bit junk.