A force sensitive resistor (FSR) is a material which changes its resistance when a force or pressure is applied. Conductive film is an example of such force resistance material.
In other words, force sensitive resistor it’s a sensor that allow you to detect physical pressure, squeezing and weight.
Usually, force sensitive resistors are very simple to be made and low cost, although they are not accurate. For this reason, basically when you use FSR you should only expect to get ranges of response instead of precise results. Therefore, while FSRs can detect weight, they cannot detect exactly how many pounds of weight are on them.
However, even not being extremely precise, for most touch-sensitive applications force sensitive resistors are a good cost vs. benefit deal.
How force sensitive resistor can measure pressure/force
FSR’s are usually composed by two substrate layers. Followed by the conductive film and the plastic spacer, which includes an opening aligned with the active area. After the spacer layer there’s the conductive print on substrate.
When external force is applied to the sensor, the conductive film is deformed against the substrate. Air from the spacer opening is pushed through the air vent, and the conductive film comes into contact with the conductive print on the substrate. The more of the conductive ink area get in touch with the conductive film, the lower the resistance.
Therefore, the more pressure applied on the sensor, the more the layers touch the conductive film and that makes the resistance go down.
CAPLINQ presents LINQSTAT Conductive film for force sensitive resistor
CAPLINQ LINQSTAT™ is a conductive polyethylene plastic film designed for applications like force sensitive resistor. This product also offers medium-level static protection, which means it effectively avoids accumulation of electric charge on itself and the products which it protects.
Visit caplinq.com to learn more about CAPLINQ LINQSTAT Conductive film or about all our CAPLINQ conductive film materials.
Contact us if you have further questions on LINQSTAT for force sensitive resistor.
