The Business Unit Thick Film supplies thick film and resinate pastes for oxygen, gas, pressure, force and temperature sensors
Oxygen and gas sensors:
For platinum based oxygen sensors, the platinum catalyst creates a chemical reaction, which in turn creates a voltage to send a signal whether the oxygen/exhaust mixture is too lean or too rich.
An alternative to pure Pt pastes are alloyed PtPd pastes.
Pressure and force sensors:
Capacitive thick film pressure sensors consist of two ceramic parts bonded together, on which the two electrodes of the capacitor are applied. We offer Au resinates for the electrodes, Au conductors, overglazes and sealing glasses.
Piezo-resistive sensors have a thin ceramic or insulated steel diaphragm. On the diaphragm four printed thick film resistors are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Working principle is the piezoresistivity of the resistor paste.
Temperature sensors:
The Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) of platinum at 3927ppm/K is used as a means of measuring temperature. Special termination and overglaze pastes suitable at high temperatures are offered.
