SCS Blog
Recent SCS Blogs
Parylene and A-174 Silane
Improving Parylene Adhesion Parylene provides an entirely conformal, durable, pinhole-free substrate coating of extreme utility for an exceptional range of materials, products and purposes. Despite its many advantages, Parylene’s chemical structure can actually interfere with the reliable interface adhesion required for optimal performance. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process that generates so many of Parylene’s... Read More >>
Does Parylene Get Everywhere?
Following thorough research, Parylene emerged as the optimal conformal film for your application. Its consistent protective and insulating properties are particularly noteworthy, catering to a wide array of applications, from printed-circuit boards (PCBs) to medical implants to military-grade uses. In addition to these benefits, Parylene offers: Applied through a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, gaseous... Read More >>
How to Choose Between Potting and Conformal Coating
When safeguarding printed circuit boards (PCBs), manufacturers often turn to potting or conformal coating. The choice between the two depends on the PCB’s intended use and the level of protection needed. While potting provides a sturdy shield, it comes with operational drawbacks that can outweigh its advantages. On the other hand, conformal coatings create a... Read More >>
Parylene vs Teflon™
Plastics and polymers were first being produced, whether on accident or on purpose, in the early 1930s. Dupont’s Teflon™, or PTFE, is probably the most widely known polymer because of its uses in cooking as a non-stick coating for pots and pans. While there are lots of other polymers out there, there are only a... Read More >>
Can Parylene Be Layered?
Multilayer conformal coatings are advantageous in resolving diffusion or stability issues. A vast amount of knowledge is available in the literature about the use of multilayered stacks of Parylene and stacks making use of different intermediate materials such as ALD, metals and so on. Use of multiple layers of Parylene C was most commonly reported... Read More >>
Parylene Disadvantages
Parylene stands out as the ultimate shield against solvents among conformal coatings. It boasts exceptional defense against moisture and gases, incredibly high dielectric strength and biocompatibility. Despite these advantages, Parylene does come with certain drawbacks compared to other coating options. One of these disadvantages is cost. The cost for Parylene is typically higher than other conformal coatings.... Read More >>
Cracking in Conformal Coating: Major Causes and Preventative Strategies
Conformal coatings protect printed circuit boards (PCBs) and similar electronic components used in a wide range of aerospace, defense, transportation, electronics and medical devices. Coatings effectively cover PCBs, shielding them from contaminants, liquid incursions, temperature fluctuations and other conditions potentially hazardous to component performance. However, problems can develop if preparation, application and drying processes are... Read More >>
Ultraviolet (UV) Stability of Parylene
For all of Parylene’s strengths, it has one key drawback — its resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is limited. Most formulations of Parylene gradually yellow when exposed to the kind of UV light produced by the sun. While this isn’t an issue when Parylene is used to coat a printed circuit board sealed in a box, it... Read More >>
Disadvantages of Using Parylene on Electronics
While Parylene offers various advantages as a conformal coating, it comes with inherent drawbacks that warrant consideration prior to its application. The emergence of failure mechanisms associated with Parylene coatings has limited its wider scale application in comparison to liquid conformal films such as acrylic, epoxy, silicone and urethane. In numerous scenarios, wet coatings may... Read More >>
Does Parylene Prevent Abrasion Damage?
Unlike liquid coatings – acrylic, epoxy, silicone and urethane – Parylene does not use wet method application. It can neither be brushed or sprayed onto substrate surfaces, nor will immersion – soaking the substrate in a bath of coating material – work. Parylene relies on a unique chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method of coating application.... Read More >>
