What do I need for a Parylene Coating Quote?

Parylene (XY) has rightfully earned its reputation as the most versatile and dependable among the primary conformal coating materials available. However, unlike liquid coatings –resins of acrylic, epoxy, silicone and urethane – Parylene cannot be applied via relatively economical brush, dip or spray methods. XY can be the most expensive of the major conformal coatings to use, a factor influenced both by:

• Material costs
• The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process

The pricing of Parylene coating is not fixed; costs depend on the specific application. It is crucial to get an accurate cost estimate before hiring a coating service provider. Understanding Parylene types, procedures, and labor costs helps prevent overpaying for your coating projects.

Item to be Coated

The coating requirements, including materials and processes, as well as pricing, are predominantly influenced by the type of item being coated. Whether it’s an entire printed circuit board (PCB), specific components, medical devices or military/automotive hardware, these project-specific factors impact the overall cost. The materials being coated, such as plastic, ceramic, or metal, along with the size dimensions like length, width and maximum thickness, play a significant role in determining the batch size that can fit into the deposition chamber. Larger items necessitate more coating, leading to smaller batches and increased processing time, consequently escalating project costs. To reduce expenses, maximizing the number of objects in each coating chamber run is recommended. Providing comprehensive drawings and plans to the vendor is advisable for efficient execution.

End-product Application/Operating Environment  

Thin film application aims to enhance end-product performance, tailored to the operating environment’s coating needs. Cost considerations are influenced by factors such as the device’s:

• Suggested coating thickness (IPC standard:10-50 micron)
• Cleaning/cleanliness testing required prior to coating
• Minimum/maximum working temperatures
• Masking requirements specified with diagrams
• Whether testing is needed after Parylene coating/specific test details if any
• Batch volumes/timeline if the device is currently in production
• Projected volumes/timeline if not

A trusted coating service provider such as SCS can assist in clarifying these requirements in case of any uncertainties. This is crucial as they all impact production costs and the project quotation.

Type of Parylene Required

When considering possible conformal coating vendors, it is a good idea to look at the types of Parylene offered. Prominent Parylene types include varieties C, N, F, D, AF-4 and Parylene HT®, each with a distinctive range of chemical, electrical and physical properties, and subsequent uses. Price differences depend on the type and quality of XY required to best complete the coating assignment. The price of a pound of Parylene dimer can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars based on the XY-type.

Collaborating with a seasoned Parylene provider known for their industry expertise and reputation is crucial to ensure the right XY material is selected for your coating project. While the standard XY types like C and N are priced at a few hundred dollars per pound, specialty XY variants such as F, AF4, and Parylene HT come at a higher cost. Therefore, entrusting material choices to a trusted professional with a proven track record is paramount.

It is not just about the price; quality aligns with cost. Types C and N cover a wide range of uses, meeting thin film needs. However, certain variants excel in specialty tasks, offering superior performance. They are recommended for projects needing increased thermal resistance, improved UV protection, and other specific coating requirements.

When determining the necessary coating materials, please keep in mind these factors:

• In addition to lower cost, types C and N adhere more readily to most substrates than other Parylene types, whose deposition rates are slower and costlier. Types C and N offer strong resistance to chemical corrosion, with less trace metal contamination, and are used for most current Parylene applications.
• Parylene HT and type F offer enhanced MEMS/nanotech utility, due to a degree of thermal stability supporting ultra large-scale integration — one million+ circuit elements positioned on a single chip, as well as inner layer dielectric applications. F has a lower dielectric constant and lesser coating capacitation/operational electrical charge.
• More expensive Parylene D provides effective coating protection at 134°C (273°F), and reliable component protection for 10 years at 100°C, in oxygen-dominated environs.
• AF-4 and Parylene HT are also costlier but more suitable for specialized applications, with better UV-stability and higher oxidative resistance.

Conclusion

Obtaining an accurate price quote for XY, the costliest coating material, is crucial. It is key to provide your chosen Parylene provider with precise details regarding device dimensions, object quantity for coating, and clear explanations or drawings of project specifications. With this information, your provider can identify the ideal Parylene type for timely and cost-effective project fulfillment.