Technical Library

Study reviews the effects of a wide variety of organic solvents on Parylenes N, C and D.

This paper identifies and describes quality issues related to use of Parylene vacuum-deposited conformal coating in the protection of electronic components and assemblies.

In this article, SCS highlights some of the hazards that arise through the use of traditional lubricious coatings, such as silicone oil in syringes, pumps and other parenteral delivery devices. Particular focus is paid to the problems of protein aggregation and trace impurities leaching from elastomeric components before going on to describe how the polymer Parylene, applied as a very thin coating using the company’s unique deposition method, avoids them.

This article describes applications of Parylene coatings as protective barrier coatings in inhalable drug delivery devices, and the detailed characteristics of Parylene which make it particularly suited to these applications.

As electronic devices become ever smaller, their performance in many different types of operating environments has led many device packaging companies into the world of conformal coatings. Adhesion of such coatings to the intended substrate surfaces is one of the most important features of a coating’s effectiveness.

While the demand for reliability and safety has always been at the forefront in medical device design, the challenges of minimally invasive and micro/nano devices require new and different packaging solutions.

Biostable packaging, protection and reliability of various medical electronic components and devices (e.g. retinal implants, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neurostimulators pulse generators, RFID implants, equipment, hearing aids, ingestible sensors/transmitters, and implantable radiation dosimeters) are becoming more challenging due to their long-term performance requirements.

Oil companies must focus on cost savings to be profitable. A number of electronics used for the exploration, drilling, processing, and delivery of oil and gas operate in some of the harshest environments ever seen.

The demand for smaller sizes and lighter weights in consumer electronic devices is feeding the demand for continued package miniaturization.

Most common conformal coatings actually can hurt, not protect, delicate and dense PCB assemblies. Parylenes are deposited differently, and offer EMS providers another option for electrical/dielectric, chemical and mechanical protection. Parylene HT proves promising for miniaturized assemblies.

With the implementation of RoHS directives, pure tin plating is replacing lead in the tin-alloy used in the printed circuit boards and other worldwide electronics. Although use of tin provides a safer environment for electronic manufacturers and helps meet the regulatory requirements, it is known to form tin whiskers, odd shape eruption and dendrites that cause printed circuit boards or devices to fail.

Because the failure of one component could mean an entire system failure, OEMs rely on coatings such as Parylene – an inert, conformal, polymer coating – to protect electronics and other devices and prevent failures that add to warranty costs.

With the increasing trend for better and safer products, protection and reliability of various electronic components (pressure and temperature sensors, PCB’s, MEMS and fuel cell components, etc.) used in the automotive industry are critical as they are becoming smaller, more complex and provide life of vehicle performance in harsh environments.

Financial considerations show that the use of COTS electronics for military applications will continue growing, so designers should protect them from heat, moisture, and radiation. The challenge is how to protect devices originally designed for non-military use without additional enclosures.

Small forms, spindles, ferrites and miniature wire-wound electric motor parts can benefit from the protection of a thin, vacuum-deposited coating.

It has been shown that various conformal coating materials can help mitigate the damage done by tin whiskers. Coatings do not prevent the growth of whiskers, but studies have shown that some coatings do slow down or retard the formation.

Conformal coating of printed circuits and circuit assemblies is often required for protection against environmental concerns such as moisture, chemicals and damaging vapors. Such coatings also prevent disruption and circuit damage that could be caused by inadvertent shorting between conductors.

Since the birth of the PCB, there has been a need to test for residual ionic contamination, which can lead to corrosion and dendrite growth. Whether on bare boards or finished assemblies, contamination can cause current leakage across insulating surfaces — resulting in shorts. This article explains advancements in ionic cleanliness testing, including heated dynamic ionic contamination test systems and their benefits.

The Ionograph was designed to be a simple, fast and accurate means of testing for ionic contamination as compared to the expensive, time consuming, and highly technical alternative of chromatography. However, the accuracy of the instrument is dependent on the condition of the Ion Extract Solution.