Things to Consider when Choosing a Parylene Coating Service Provider

The Parylene coating industry is a fairly niche business, but it is still a competitive market. However, the few top-quality providers are relatively easy to identify. Here are some of the attributes that you should actively seek when searching for a Parylene conformal coating provider: 

Liquid Coating Capabilities

While it might seem counterintuitive, look for a Parylene coating service provider that can also apply liquid coatings. This allows you to use a single vendor for more of your conformal coating projects. More importantly, you also get the benefit of allowing the coatings provider to recommend whether Parylene or liquid coatings are more suitable for an application. Too often, conformal coating service providers will only offer either a liquid coating service or a Parylene coating service but not both. When trying to evaluate which coating makes the most sense for your project, you will benefit tremendously from having an unbiased coating expert make the right choice with you.

The Right Certifications

Even if the item that you are coating will not be used inside the human body or in space, look for a Parylene coating service provider that holds the certifications that will allow their work to be used in these challenging settings. Companies that have went through rigorous audits to become certified are likely to carry out those processes on every project regardless of whether or not you need a certification. Key certifications include:

• Quality Management. ISO 9001 and AS/EN9100 are key quality certifications in the coatings industry.  ISO 9001 is a globally-recognized standard for an organization that has quality control processes in place. AS/EN9100 is a quality standard for the aerospace industry that incorporates ISO 9001 requirements.
• NASA-STD-8739.1. Before an item can be launched into space, its coating must meet NASA’s quality standards. This standard not only describes what has to be done to create a compliant coating, but also how to document the work. Documentation is one of the best ways to know that the coating was applied correctly.
• Biomedical certification. While the USP Class VI certification applies to coating compounds and not to services, the best Parylene coating companies have other certifications that show that their materials are safe for biomedical applications.
• IPC Standards. The IPC is the electronics industry’s trade association, and they publish a range of standards that define quality standards for conformal coatings of electronic items. Their Class 3 Standard for Coating Requirements is especially important, since it helps to ensure that coated items can maintain high levels of performance, even in challenging situations.
• Joint Certification Program Approval and ITAR Registration. A Parylene coating service that holds Joint Certification Program Approval meets US and Canadian military standards for quality and security. ITAR registration is a sign of trustworthiness, as it means the facility is trusted by the federal government to participate in arms exporting activities.

Experienced, Skilled Workforce

Applying Parylene coatings can be a complicated process. To achieve ideal coating, look for a company with decades of experience in the field and a dedicated workforce that is fully trained and highly skilled.

Rapid Turnaround Capability

Many of Parylene’s benefits come from its unique vapor-based deposition method. Unfortunately, vapor deposition is relatively slow, so it is not uncommon for items to spend 24 hours just in the deposition chamber. Due to this, a two-week turnaround time is an appropriate time frame if you need non-expedited service. Service providers typically have the ability to expedite a project when necessary.