Different Methods in Conformal Coating Application

PCBs dipped in DS101 close upConformal coating can be applied on circuit boards using a variety of methods.

There is no one-application fits all as each method needs to be evaluated versus the circuit board and its material. There are also advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered.

Some boards require brush coating while others would be better off being dipped instead. Choosing a method needs to be done in a holistic manner to ensure optimal board protection.

Different methods in conformal coating

Below are the various conformal coating application methods:

  1. Brushing
  2. Aerosol
  3. Spraying
  4. Dipping
  5. Selective Spraying
  6. Vapour Deposition

For each method there are a couple of things to consider—the machine type (i.e. manual, automatic, etc.) and the volume it can process.

When you factor all these things, you’ll be able to decide on the best conformal coating method suited for your needs.

Read more at Conformal Coating Application Methods: Overview

Who is Nexus?

Nexus brings together the accumulated knowledge of a group of conformal coating and electronics material dispensing consultants who provide a unique service, focused on helping electronics manufacturing clients improve their conformal coating and electronics materials processes.

Nexus operate across North America, Europe and Asia and can provide a unique perspective to the rapidly growing conformal coating and electronics materials industry. Expertise is held in liquid and parylene coating, capital equipment sales and specifications and material, equipment and process specification, troubleshooting and training.

Ever wondered what a conformal coating is actually made of?

Conformal coating is a kind specialized paint or varnish that is made of volatile and non-volatile components.

A Background on Paint and Varnish

The ISO 4618: 2014 defines paint and varnish as a liquid, paste-like or powder product which, when applied to a circuit board or other substrate, results in a coating.

Hence, conformal coating is a specialized material that belongs to the paint and varnish family

Composition of Conformal Coating

A conformal coating is comprised of two main elements namely the volatile and non-volatile components.

1. Volatile elements – composed of solvents, water, and additives

2. Non-volatile elements – composed of binder and colourants

It’s important to note that every conformal coating has a unique set of physical and electronic properties.

This allows for flexibility when choosing the most appropriate conformal coating.

Read more at What is a conformal coating made of?

Who is Nexus?

Nexus brings together the accumulated knowledge of a group of conformal coating and electronics material dispensing consultants who provide a unique service, focused on helping electronics manufacturing clients improve their conformal coating and electronics materials processes.

Nexus operate across North America, Europe and Asia and can provide a unique perspective to the rapidly growing conformal coating and electronics materials industry. Expertise is held in liquid and parylene coating, capital equipment sales and specifications and material, equipment and process specification, troubleshooting and training.

 

Where are conformal coatings used?

Conformal coatings are being used as protection in ever increasing electronic applications across a wide range of market sectors.

Due to the fact conformal coatings provide several key benefits including moisture and insulation properties, chemical resistance and particulate protection, this means they are used anywhere there is a need for a higher reliability than that which is achieved without the coating.

However, it is possible to identify traditional and emerging sectors where conformal coatings are applied.

To find out more click Nexus: Where are conformal coatings used?

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Ebook Overview

Why use a conformal coating to protect a circuit board?

What is a Conformal Coating?

What are the different classifications of conformal coatings?

The family tree of common conformal coatings normally found include organic and inorganic liquid coatings and Parylene.

The evolution of the conformal coating over the last 50 years has led to a large range of conformal coatings with many different variations.

The family tree below shows the common materials normally found including organic and inorganic liquid coatings and Parylene.

family of coatings

The coatings can be further sub divided:

  • Liquid and Vapour Deposition Groups
  • Liquid Conformal Coatings Families
  • Liquid Conformal Coating Resin Types
  • Drying and Curing Subdivision
  • One / Two-Part Coating
  • Solvent / Solvent Free
  • Physical and electrical properties

To find out more click Classification of Conformal Coatings: An Introduction

Who is Nexus?

Nexus brings together the accumulated knowledge of a group of conformal coating and electronics material dispensing consultants who provide a unique service, focussed on helping electronics manufacturing clients improve their conformal coating and electronics materials processes.

Nexus operate across North America, Europe and Asia and can provide a unique perspective to the rapidly growing conformal coating and electronics materials industry. Expertise is held in liquid and parylene coating, capital equipment sales and specifications and material, equipment and process specification, troubleshooting and training.

Find out more at Nexus3C: Conformal Coating Centre

Materials that can protect a circuit board from the environment around it

There are a variety of materials that can protect a circuit board from attack.

This protection allows these electronics to be used in many more applications ensuring reliable, long-term performance.

The process of protection by material coating can be done by several methods. These include:

  • Conformal coating
  • Encapsulation
  • Potting
  • Casting

Many names have been used interchangeably so there is some confusion of the terms.

To find out more click Nexus What isnt a conformal coating.

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Ebook Overview

Why use a conformal coating to protect a circuit board?

What is a Conformal Coating?

What Does a Conformal Coating Actually Do?

2015-10-08 13.30.37 reduced and croppedA conformal coating can actually help in many ways by creating a barrier against attack during the lifetime of the circuit board.
This includes:

  • Creating a high degree of insulation protection across the circuit board.
  • Prevents contamination on the surface
  • Increase Dielectric Strength between components
  • Strengthen the board in the field

To find out more click Nexus Ebook: What is a Conformal Coating?

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Ebook Overview

Why use a conformal coating to protect a circuit board?

What is a Conformal Coating?

What is a Conformal Coating?

A conformal coating is a protective, non-conductive layer of material that is applied to the printed circuit board assembly after the majority of circuit board assembly production is completed.

To find out more click Nexus Ebook: What is a Conformal Coating?

 

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Ebook Overview

Why use a conformal coating to protect a circuit board?

 

 

Why use a conformal coating to protect a circuit board?

2015-10-08 13.30.37 reduced and croppedThere are several reasons for using a conformal coating to protect a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

These include

  • Moisture Resistance
  • Corrosion
  • Insulation Resistance
  • Particulate protection
  • Rough Handling
  • Dielectric Strength
  • Chemical Attack

To find out more visit our new ebook and click Why use a conformal coating to protect a circuit board?

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Nexus3c Conformal Coating Ebook Overview

 

Nexus Conformal Coating Ebook – Available free online now

2015-10-08 13.14.33 reduced sizeNexus has launched a new Ebook specifically for conformal coating for many different people.

Those people include design, production and process engineers who specify, introduce the new coating process and operate the production. It was also written for the technicians who complete the daily work.

The ebook was designed for the many stages that conformal coating could be considered.

Those stages can include

  1. Designing for coating
  2. Specification of materials, systems and process
  3. Production issues
  4. Process Control
  5. Repair of coating
  6. Troubleshooting your coating process.

The form of the book is instructional with the emphasis on practical information. There are many works in the market that cover the theory in more detail. However, the book was written from the point of view of getting to the important facts quickly with the knowledge behind that initial information structured in a logical manner.

To find out more click Nexus Conformal Coating Ebook Overview

How to Select a Conformal Coating Process – The Holistic Approach

Choosing a conformal coating process is a complicated and involved process usually balancing a number of trade-offs and compromises. This is because of three major parts of the complete process that can offer different options and create difficult choices.

These parts are:

  1. The Conformal Coating Material Requirements
  2. The Application Method Selected
  3. The Circuit Board Design

When you consider these three points you have to balance them to create the best compromise solution that suits your requirements.  This is the Holistic Approach to conformal coating.

Find out more in our Ebook by clicking How to Select a Conformal Coating Process – The Holistic Approach

Nexus3c Conformal Coating Centre