What is Conformal Coating for PCBs
PCB (Printed Circuit Board) Conformal Coating is a protective insulation film applied to the surface of PCBs to improve the reliability and longevity of PCBs by providing insulation and protection against environmental factors such as moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations. This coating forms a thin, transparent layer that conforms to the contours of the PCB, covering components, traces, and solder joints.
Uses of PCB Conformal Coating:
- Environmental Protection: Conformal coatings shield PCBs from moisture, dust, dirt, and other contaminants, preventing corrosion and electrical shorts.
- Chemical Resistance: They offer resistance to chemicals such as solvents, acids, and salts, protecting PCBs in harsh industrial environments.
- Electrical Insulation: The coating helps to insulate and protect the electrical components on the PCB, reducing the risk of short circuits and electrical failures.
- Thermal Management: Some conformal coatings provide thermal conductivity, aiding in heat dissipation and improving the overall thermal performance of the PCB.
- UV Protection: UV-resistant coatings safeguard PCBs from ultraviolet radiation, which can degrade components and solder joints over time.
Ways to Apply PCB Conformal Coating:
- Spraying: Conformal coatings can be applied using automated spray equipment, which evenly distributes the coating over the PCB surface.
- Dipping: PCBs can be dipped into a bath of conformal coating material, ensuring complete coverage before the excess coating is drained and cured.
- Brushing: Manual application using brushes or applicators allows for precise coating of specific areas or components on the PCB.
- Selective Coating: Automated selective coating systems apply the coating only to specified areas of the PCB, leaving other areas uncovered for testing or rework.
Conformal Coating is a speciality Temperature Resistant Coating applied on PCBs, Assembly boards, electronic equipments to protect it from, Corrosion, Environmental Irritations, Moisture, Dust and Aging
Protektor Conformal Coating creates a Transparent Protective Film that insulates the PCBs from High and Low Temperatures. The coating reduces and in some cases eliminates the Performance degradation in Printed Circuit Boards when the PCBs are exposed to harsh environments.
Protektor Conformal Coating is used in High Tech Electronics in
- Automobile
- Aviation and Space tech,
- Marine
- Medical equipments
- household electronics to improve the Reliability of the Product, increase it’s quality and service life of the product.
A Special formulation of Protektor Conformal Coating comes with a UV tracer to inspect the appropriate application of the coating under UV light
Best-Known Products or Brands in the PCB Conformal Coating Industry:
- Protektor ® & Protektor UV ® by Micron Aerosols: Protektor is the Industry leader of Conformal Coatings, offering a UV (Ultra Violet) Light traceable coating for high end PCBs. Protektor® is CDot-Approved and ROHs Compliant and trusted by Major Large players globally.
- HumiSeal: HumiSeal is a leading manufacturer of conformal coatings, offering a wide range of products tailored to different application requirements, including acrylics, silicones, urethanes, and epoxy coatings.
- Loctite: Loctite provides a comprehensive lineup of conformal coatings designed for various industries and applications, including acrylics, urethanes, and silicone-based coatings.
- Henkel: Henkel offers a diverse portfolio of conformal coatings, including solvent-based, water-based, and UV-curable coatings, suitable for different PCB types and environmental conditions.
- Dow Corning (now Dow Silicones): Dow Silicones manufactures high-performance silicone-based conformal coatings known for their excellent moisture and chemical resistance, thermal stability, and flexibility.
- Concoat (Chase Corporation): Concoat offers a range of conformal coatings formulated to meet stringent performance requirements, including aerospace, military, and automotive standards.
These brands are recognized for their quality, reliability, and innovative solutions in the PCB conformal coating industry, catering to the diverse needs of electronics manufacturers worldwide.
To know more, Protektor by Micron Aerosols