SCS Blog
Recent SCS Blogs
What can be Coated: A Comparison of Liquid and Parylene Coatings
Conformal coatings are used to protect printed circuit boards (PCBs) from dust, humidity/moisture, mildew/mold, temperature cycling and other elements whose prolonged contact might interfere with assembly function. Coatings also enhance electrical clearance-tolerance, while safeguarding PCB components from contamination (particulate or otherwise), corrosive materials, and mechanical stress. The liquid coating materials – acrylic (AR), epoxy (ER),... Read More >>
Conformal Coatings for Oil and Gas Sensors
The oil and gas industry utilizes sensors in extremely demanding high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) environments, such as in downhole drilling (>200°C and 30 kspi). IThe US natural gas supply is predominantly found in reservoirs below 15,000 ft, presenting environmental drilling challenges due to temperature, pressure and gasses. Extending the lifespan of drilling equipment... Read More >>
NASA Conformal Coating Workmanship Standard
NASA-STD 8739.1 is the Workmanship Standard for Polymeric Application on Electronic Assemblies. The standard describes NASA’s technical requirements, procedures, and documenting requirements for staking, conformal coating, bonding and encapsulation of printed wiring boards and electronic assemblies. It contains requirements which establish the responsibility for documenting, fabrication and inspection procedures to be used for NASA work,... Read More >>
How do I know 100% of My Product was Coated with Parylene?
Parylene conformal coatings are highly reliable and are highly sought after in applications across the product spectrum, ranging from military sensors to medical implants. Because Parylene coatings are colorless (transparent), thin (micro-scale) and uniformly deposited all over the target surface, they are hardly visible to the naked eye. There are methods to detect, or test,... Read More >>
Brush Application of Conformal Coating
Conformal coatings’ functional value stems from their ability to safeguard printed circuit boards (PCBs) and similar electronics from external threats to their performance. Composed of acrylic, epoxy, silicone and urethane polymer resin, coatings also provide layers of insulative protection. These liquid coatings are applied to PCBs by wet methods, primarily by brush, dipping (component immersion)... Read More >>
Inspecting Parylene Coating
Parylene conformal coating (XY) offers insulative protection for intricate electronic circuit assemblies that need to perform under demanding conditions – facing potential chemical, electrical, moisture and vapor exposure. Applied using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), Parylene wicks deep into substrate surfaces, providing a level of protection that exceeds what liquid coatings like acrylic, epoxy, silicone and urethane can... Read More >>
What’s the Difference Between Potting and Conformal Coating?
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an essential element of all electronic devices. Manufacturers must choose an appropriate method to protect their product’s most critical components from damage and harsh environmental conditions. That’s where this comparison of potting vs. conformal coating becomes invaluable — helping you select the right method of protection for your application and requirements. What... Read More >>
Removing Conformal Coating Instead of Repairing It
Sometimes problems with conformal coating are too complicated or difficult to repair. This can occur when bubbles develop in the coating during the application process. Bubbles cause voids in the coating that defeat its protective, insulating purpose, suggesting the need for removal. Other situations that lead to inadequate coverage, and may favor coating removal rather... Read More >>
Parylene Conformal Coatings for Oil & Gas Sensors
Parylene, a transparent polymer, provides seamless and void-free conformal coatings. Variants like Parylene N, C, D and Parylene HT® are crafted through molecular structure tweaks, each yielding distinct material properties for various applications. Among these derivatives, the fundamental type is Parylene N, derived from the poly-para-xylylene monomer. Parylene presents numerous benefits for application in the... Read More >>
What Is the Proper Adhesion Test for Conformal Coating?
Essential steps in researching conformal coatings include confirmed testing of coating properties as well as adhesion. An online search for “conformal coating adhesion test” results in a number of documented tests and standards. These include tests from the International Standards Board (ISO) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). One must exercise caution,... Read More >>
