SCS Blog
Recent SCS Blogs
Parylene and Arathane® 5750: Low Outgassing Conformal Coatings
Outgassing occurs when previously adsorbed or occluded gases or water vapor are released from materials. With respect to protective conformal coatings, outgassing encompasses the discharge of gases previously confined within a high-frequency printed circuit board (PCB) or similar assembly material, often resulting in functional difficulties. For instance, outgassing can negatively impact the performance of PCBs... Read More >>
How to Improve Parylene Adhesion
Through the deposition process, Parylene does not adhere chemically, only mechanically, to any given substrate. In order to improve Parylene adhesion for a wide variety of substrates, different methods of surface modification via adhesion promoters must be used. Adhesion promotion methods are typically used before the actual coating process. However, some can be integrated during... Read More >>
Parylene Barrier Properties
Permeation barriers for electronic devices are essential to assure their ongoing performance through a wide range of operational environments. Polymer flexible conformal coatings provide good barrier protection, shielding device substrates from unwanted incursion by solid contaminants, chemicals, gaseous permeation and liquid water or vaporous forms of moisture. Permeability reduction improves with enhanced coating adhesion, minimizing... Read More >>
Common Parylene Problems
In addition to cracking, several associated issues may interfere with the successful coating of Parylene films. Due to its chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, Parylene forms a structurally continuous film covering a PCB or similar assembly. In CVD, the interaction of vapor-phase chemical reactants formulates a non-volatile solid film on a substrate, which is useful... Read More >>
Parylene Propels MEMS Design
Parylene is proven to be an ideal material for sealing, insulating and protecting electronic modules, devices and circuit boards. Parylene is applied in uniform layers and stands up to many environmental hazards. These same properties also make Parylene an excellent choice for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) – sensors, actuators and structures forged from silicon using industry... Read More >>
What Can Be Parylene Coated?
We often receive the question “what can be Parylene coated?” With over 50 years of applications experience, the list of potential products and substrates that can be coated is virtually endless! A quick look at some of the different items that SCS has coated with Parylene over the years reveals, more often than not, that... Read More >>
Help! My Board is Failing, but it’s Already Coated!
Conformal coatings are designed to protect printed circuit boards (PCBs), assuring they work under all operational circumstances. However, cases emerge where boards fail to function despite conformal coating protection. Such non-performance can be a consequence of problematic conditions already existing on the PCB prior to coating, using the wrong coating materials for the particular project... Read More >>
Conformal Coating Standards: MIL-I-46058C, UL 746E and More
The conformal coating standards that currently exist can be considered from two points of view. First, there are the standards that are used by the manufacturers of conformal coatings to qualify the products, whether that is done by self-certification or completed by independent testing. Second, the standards are a method for users to determine the... Read More >>
Drawbacks of Parylene Coating
Parylene has a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading choices for conformal coatings. For many applications, it is the best choice. However, there are some Parylene disadvantages as well. Coating Cost and Logistics A major downside of Parylene is its cost. The Parylene dimer used for coating varies in price and is usually purchased by the pound.... Read More >>
Conformal Coating Specifications: Guidelines for Design, Selection and Application of Conformal Coatings
Understanding the unique characteristics of different conformal coating types and how they interact with a wide range of products and materials is crucial for achieving optimal functionality, performance reliability, and product longevity. Designers and users of conformal coatings need to understand the distinct properties of each type and their compatibility with the components they protect,... Read More >>
