Putting Conductive TPU To The Test

Have you ever taken apart an LCD screen? If so, you've probably encountered the humble yet ingenious zebra strip - that flexible connector that makes bridging PCB pads to glass traces look like a breeze. Recently, [Chuck] embarked on an ambitious project to create his own zebra strip using conductive TPU and a 3D printer.

[Chuck]'s journey began with a promising idea: printing alternating bands of conductive and non-conductive TPU, in the hopes of replicating the compressible, striped conductor found in existing zebra strips. Despite meticulous tuning and slow prints, the results were far from spectacular. The conductive TPU measured an astonishing 16 megaohms - a value that barely scratches the surface of conductivity!

The consequences of this subpar performance were immediate and multifaceted. LEDs refused to illuminate, multimeters grumbled in discontent, and [Chuck]'s frustration grew with each passing minute. It seemed that conductive TPU was still a long way off from becoming a viable option for fine-pitch interconnects.

Undeterred by his initial setbacks, [Chuck] decided to revisit his approach with a new filament in mind: Proto-pasta conductive PLA. The results were a marked departure from the previous attempt - this time around, bright, blinky LEDs sprang to life, and multimeters hummed with delight.

However, it's worth noting that this newfound success came at a cost. The Proto-pasta filament offered little flexibility in terms of design or usability. It was clear that conductive TPU still required further refinement before it could be considered for widespread use in fine-pitch interconnects.

Despite the limitations, [Chuck]'s experiment serves as a valuable reminder that innovation often lies at the intersection of perseverance and creativity. For those brave enough to take on this challenge, we'd love to hear about your own attempts using conductive TPU or alternative filaments. Share your experiences in the comments section below!