HEATERS WITH PERFORATED BUS BARS

摘要

A method for manufacturing a flexible or non flexible electrically conductive heater is provided. The method comprises perforating a pair of electrically conductive bus bars; plating the bus bars with a metal or a metal alloy; and affixing the bus bars to a resistive heating element with an electrically conductive adhesive. The heating element can be a conductive woven or non-woven fabric, film, or mesh, and can be formed of nickel-coated carbon fibers. The bus bars can be plated with an electrically conductive metal or metal alloy, such as silver or a silver-containing alloy. Advantageously, the perforated bus bars enable the conductive adhesive to wet through to form a strong attachment to the resistive heating element and permit an efficient flow of electrical current to the heating element.