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Conformal coating

Conformal coating

SKU: RES CONCO Category:

Conformal coating

Conformal coating material is a thin polymeric film which ‘conforms’ to the contours of a printed circuit board to protect the board’s components. Typically applied at 25-250 μm1(micrometers) it is applied to electronic circuitry to act as protection against moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes that, if uncoated (non-protected), could result in damage or failure of the electronics to function. When electronics must withstand harsh environments and added protection is necessary, most circuit board assembly houses coat assemblies with a layer of transparent conformal coating rather than potting.

 

Reasons for use

Because of the vast range of electronics in today’s world, a printed circuit board is expected to perform in a huge range of environments. Circuit boards then are exposed to a vast array of different conditions such as moisture, salt, chemicals and temperature changes to name but a few, conformal coatings are designed to protect the electronic components from these varying conditions and prevent the board from corroding.1 More recently, conformal coatings are being used as a mitigation to reduce the potential of tin and zinc whisker short circuit risk on electronic assemblies using lead-free finishes and solders.

 

Conformal coatings are also “breathable”, allowing trapped moisture in electronic boards to escape while maintaining protection from environmental contaminates. However these coatings are not sealants, and prolonged exposure to vapors will cause transmission and degradation to occur. There are typically four classes of conformal coatings: Acrylic, Urethane, Silicone, and Varnish. While each has its own specific physical and chemical properties each are able to perform the following functions:

 

Insulation: Allowing reduction in conductor spacing

Eliminate the need for complex, sophisticated enclosures

Minimal effect on component weight

Completely protect the assembly against chemical and corrosive attack

Eliminate potential performance degradation due to environmental hazards

Minimize environmental stress on a PCB assembly 

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