Conformal Coatings

A conformal coating is a thin, protective coating for PCBs (circuit board) and other electronic components providing a polyurethane (urethane) / silicone protection from environmental conditions

The coating can be removed easily with most common solvents plus you can use a specialist solvent to remove and rework a conformal coating.

Why use a Conformal Coating?

• A conformal coating conforms to the shape of the circuit board, PCB and its components.
• Performance of PCBs can deteriorate because of moisture, sea salt, chemicals and temperature extremes using a conformal coating helps extend their working life.
• Use the coating to protect PCBs to allow for higher voltage gradients and closer track spacing.
• When using a conformal coating the viscosity and thickness of the coating is important as it can affect PCB performance. Viscosity of the conformal coating must be monitored as part of the process.

How to use Conformal Coatings.

• Brushing the components with the coating material is suitable for low volume applications and for finishing and repair.
• Spraying on the coating can be done by using an aerosol or dedicated spray booth. These methods are suitable for low and medium volume processing. They are more cost effective and provide excellent tip coverage to the components.
• Dipping parts into a conformal coating is used for high volume applications. Masking is important in the coating process plus must be perfect to protect the PCB circuit board when using this coating process.
• You can rework a component after a conformal coating is applied.

Types of Conformal Coating.

• Silicone coatings give great protection in a range of temperatures, good chemical resistance, flexibility and resistant to sea salt.
• Acrylic coatings, easy to use and remove, provide fair elasticity, abrasion resistant and have high dielectric strength.
• Polyurethane / urethane coatings have excellent moisture and chemical resistance and are abrasion-resistant
• Epoxy coatings give good humidity resistance, high abrasion and chemical resistance

Where to use a Conformal Coating.

Conformal Coatings are used in many types of applications where high performance and reliability are needed.

• These include military, car, marine and green energy to domestic and mobile electronic industries.