Benefits of Conformal Coating for PCB&PCBA

The conformal coating is a protective coating for printed circuit boards (PCBs). It protects PCB components from moisture, heat, cold, dust, smoke, weather changes, and other environmental conditions that can affect PCB performance. The use of a conformal coating on the PCB reduces the need for repair or replacement of printed circuit boards, thereby reducing the cost of maintenance or warranty repairs by increasing the product's Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). Conformal coatings for PCB protection come in two different materials and applications:

The entire board can be applied to the coating by spraying or brushing.
The coating can be brushed or sprayed onto specific parts.

A conformal coating is applied to the finished PCB before assembly into the final product or subassembly. The key to successful conformal coatings is to choose the proper chemical and amount specified for each application. Dispensing the right amount and cover to specific critical areas will produce the best product.



The conformal coating acts as an insulator to protect the electronic circuit from extreme temperatures, moisture, dust, fungus, and chemicals.

If not protected, the PCB has a higher chance of damage, causing the electronic device to malfunction. When electronic equipment must withstand harsh environments, increased protection is beneficial, giving the product a long time to use and product reliability opportunities, reducing the cost of early field failures. A special advantage of conformal coatings is their insulating properties, which can help eliminate the need for complex, sophisticated enclosures by wiping out potential performance damage caused by environmental stresses. It also provides mechanical protection against vibration and thermal shock.

A conformal coating is defined as a thin layer of transparent plastic that "fits" the body of the PCB and component. By being breathable, it forms a protective layer that protects against particular environmental conditions, but also allows any moisture trapped in the board to escape.

Conformal coatings are becoming more common in consumer and household appliances that are susceptible to environmental impact, including portable devices such as mobile phones and washing machines.

Conformal coatings containing UV tracers (dyes) can be easily inspected using an ultraviolet light source. This is a valuable tool for verifying complete coverage and ensuring that the coating is free of air bubbles, cracks, flaking, and any foreign matter.

Electronics continue to become ever more sophisticated and vital aspects of both the functionality and dependability of modern equipment.  As these pieces of modern equipment make the progression into different harsh environments, it makes perfect sense to protect and prolong them.

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