Conformal Coatings
Conformal coatings are dielectric materials applied to printed circuit boards or other electronic substrates to protect their circuitry from environmental stresses such as moisture, fungus, dust and corrosion. They also minimize dendritic growth and the electromigration of metal between conductors. These coatings work to significantly extend the life of electronic devices used in extreme environments.
Types
Type AR (acrylic resin):
Acrylic conformal coatings are easy to apply and dry to the touch within minutes. Acrylics provide a moderate dielectric constant and a high resistance to fungus. These coatings are extremely sensitive to solvents, which may be a concern. However, this also allows for easy repairs.
Type UR (polyurethane resin):
Polyurethane coatings are one of the more resilient conformal coatings. They provide excellent humidity, abrasive, and solvent resistance. These coatings also possess exceptional dielectric properties. Due to their solvent resistance, chemical strippers are required for repairs.
Type SR (silicone resin):
Silicone conformal coatings provide exceptional corrosion and humidity resistance. These coatings also function well in high temperature applications. (Up to 200°C) Silicones are not solvent soluble and require chemical strippers.
Type ER (epoxy resin):
Epoxy conformal coatings are rugged and provide good humidity resistance and high chemical and abrasion resistance. These coatings are virtually impossible to remove for rework. They must be burnt through with a knife or soldering iron for any repairs.
* We also apply a variety of UV curable conformal coatings. These coatings can be AR, UR, or ER.
Application
Conformal coatings are applied by hand spraying, dipping, or a computer controlled selective coating system. More information on the equipment used in these processes can be found here.
Specs
We apply a wide array of coatings that meet Mil-I-46058C and IPC-CC-830 specifications.
