<< View SCS Blog

Silicone Conformal Coating offers Many Benefits

June 4, 2021

Silicone conformal coating is gaining traction as a preferred choice for various applications. Its high temperature resistance, moisture protection, and ease of application and rework make it an ideal option for numerous projects.

Most silicone coatings have a continuous operating temperature rating of 200ºC. This is much higher than Parylene N (80ºC) and acrylic (125ºC) coatings. Some silicones are rated as high as 600ºC for ultra-high temperature applications. The coating is well-suited for transportation applications where temperatures in the engine compartment can exceed 175ºC.

An additional benefit of silicone conformal coating is its excellent moisture protection. Silicones have been used in instances where applications are exposed to varying temperature extremes that have resulted in excessive moisture. In these conditions, other conformal coatings failed within hours or days, but silicone has been proven to succeed, especially with thick application.

Silicone conformal coating is among the easiest to apply and rework. It cures very quickly, taking about one hour at room temperature. The coating is quite flexible and soft and has a relatively weak resistance to solvents. For applications that require rework after coating, this is critical in helping to keep costs and turnaround time down.