Conformal coating is a protective, breathable coating of thin polymeric film applied to printed circuit boards (PCBs). Conformal coatings are typically applied with 25–250 μm thickness on electronic circuitry to protect against moisture and other substances.
Here we look at the market's five main conformal coating types: Acrylic, Silicone, Polyurethane, Epoxy, and Parylene-based. The main characteristics of Acrylic-based conformal coatings are their low cost and ease of application making them ideal for hobby electronics.
Excluding Parylene, most organic coatings are easily penetrated by water molecules. A coating preserves the performance of electronics primarily by preventing contaminants that can ionize, such as salts, from reaching circuit nodes and combining with water to form a microscopically thin electrolyte film.
Capacitors are basic to all kinds of electrical equipment, from radios and television sets to missile controls and automobile ignitions. Their function is to store an electrical charge for later use. Capacitors consist of two conducting surfaces, usually metal plates, whose function is to conduct electricity.
Epoxy coatings are common in potting compounds, which in contrast to conformal coatings, completely cover the electronics in a solid and level layer of material. Parylene Conformal Coating - Parylene conformal coatings are a unique type of coating applied by vapor phase deposition.
Selective coating - An automated conformal coating process that uses programmable robotic spray nozzles to apply the conformal coating to very specific areas on the circuit board. This process is used in high volume processes and can eliminate the need for masking.
OverviewApplicationsMethodsThickness and measurementInspectionSelection
Conformal coating is a protective, breathable coating of thin polymeric film applied to printed circuit boards (PCBs). Conformal coatings are typically applied with 25–250 μm thickness on electronic circuitry to protect against moisture and other substances. Coatings can be applied in many ways, including brushing, spraying, dispensi…