As electronic devices become more sophisticated, they are often required to operate in harsh and demanding environments. From consumer gadgets like smartphones to critical medical devices and industrial equipment, electronics need protection from moisture, dust, chemicals, and other environmental factors. This is where conformal coatings come in. Conformal coatings provide a thin, uniform layer of protection that shields electronic circuitry and components.
What are Conformal Coatings?
Conformal coatings are thin film coatings or lacquers that are applied to printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other electronic components to protect them from harsh environmental conditions, contamination, and corrosion. The name "conformal" refers to the coating's ability to closely follow the contours of the substrate without bridging or leaving uncoated areas. This results in a uniform, pinhole-free protective layer.
Common conformal coating materials include acrylics, urethanes, silicones, and petroleum/paraffin wax coatings. Each type offers different properties in terms of curing time, moisture resistance, thermal stability, and more. Thickness typically ranges from 2-100 microns depending on the application. Various application methods are used including spraying, dipping, and brushing to achieve complete, void-free coverage.
Benefits of Using Conformal Coatings
The key benefits of using Conformal Coatings on electronic circuitry and components include:
Moisture and Corrosion Resistance
Conformal coatings form a barrier that repels moisture, prevents corrosion of components and PCB traces, and ensures long-term reliability even in humid environments. This is important for applications in industries like maritime, manufacturing, and oil & gas where electronics may encounter moisture or corrosive conditions.
Chemical Resistance
The protective film shields against chemicals, cleaning agents, solvents and other harsh substances that could cause damage if they come in contact with exposed circuitry. This enhances reliability in industrial settings.
Mechanical Protection
The flexible coating protects sensitive components and solder joints from mechanical stress, vibration, pressure impacts and other physical damage that could cause premature failure over time.
Aesthetics and Safety
Providing a seamless, non-conductive layer over exposed circuitry enhances safety by preventing accidental short circuits. It also improves the overall appearance of devices and their resistance to damage and wear.
Thermal Stability
Many conformal coating types maintain flexibility and protective properties even under prolonged high or low temperature operation. This expands their use in applications involving temperature cycling or extremes.
Cost Effectiveness
Conformal coatings provide dependable environmental protection at far less cost than hermetically sealed packaging. The thin coatings don't add much to product size or weight either.
Applications of Conformal Coatings in Different Industries
Owing to their multitude of protective benefits, conformal coatings find use across a wide range of industries where reliability is critical. Here are some key application areas:
Automotive Electronics
Conformal coatings shield sensors, control modules, and car infotainment systems from moisture, dust, oil/gas vapors, road debris and temperature fluctuations to ensure safe long-term operation.
Industrial and Manufacturing Equipment
From assembly line machinery to factory automation systems to heavy equipment, conformal coatings provide moisture and corrosion protection for electronics operating in plant/factory environments.
Medical Devices
Coatings are used on circuitry in equipment like surgical, diagnostic, and patient monitoring devices to prevent fluid ingress and guarantee clean, sterile conditions.
Aerospace and Defense
The strict moisture, dust and shock/vibration resistance requirements of military/aviation electronics are met through protective conformal coatings.
Consumer Electronics
Smartphones, wearables, remote controls etc. use coatings to prevent damage from accidental liquid spills or moisture absorption during normal everyday use.
Choosing the Right Conformal Coating Material
With the wide variety of coating types available, choosing the optimal material depends on factors like:
- Operating temperature range of the electronic device
- Exposure to moisture, chemicals or corrosive agents
- Flexibility/stress requirements
- Outgassing and off-gassing properties
- Curing time and process compatibility
- Surface preparation and coating application method
- Aesthetic, inspection and repair considerations
Working closely with coating suppliers ensures the most durable, cost-effective solution is selected based on the specific application environment and performance needs. Qualification testing also evaluates coating reliability.
As electronics play an ever increasing role across diverse industries, the need for protective yet cost-effective solutions like conformal coatings will continue growing. By providing a uniform, seamless barrier without additions to product size or weight, conformal coatings have become the primary means of safeguarding electronic components and circuitry from moisture, contamination and other risks in harsh operating conditions. With a wide variety of coating materials and customized application techniques, conformal coatings deliver long-term reliable protection tailored to specific product and environmental requirements.
Get More Insights On This Topic: Conformal Coatings
Explore More Related Topic: Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS)
A Conformal coating is a protective chemical coating or polymer film 25–75?m thick (50?m typical) that ‘conforms’ to the circuit board topology.
Its purpose is to protect electronic circuits from harsh environments that may contain moisture and or chemical contaminants.Conformal Coatings are mainly classified into the following types: Acrylics, Polyurethane, Others.
Acrylic is the most widely used type which takes up about 38.23% of the total in 2017 in Global.Geographically, the consumption market is leading by North America, Europe and China, sales in Asia Pacific regions like China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India will see significant growth in future period.
In terms of year 2017, China holds the largest market share, with about 613.34 Million USD sales revenue,Download FREE Sample of this Report @ https://www.grandresearchstore.com/report-sample/global-conformal-coatings-2019-2024-173According to this study, over the next five years the Conformal Coatings market will register a 5.2% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach US$ 3180 million by 2024, from US$ 2470 million in 2019.
In particular, this report presents the global market share (sales and revenue) of key companies in Conformal Coatings business, shared in Chapter 3.This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of Conformal Coatings market by product type, application, key manufacturers and key regions and countries.This study considers the Conformal Coatings value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments:Segmentation by product type: breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2024 in section 11.7.SiliconeParyleneAcrylicUrethaneEpoxyOthersSegmentation by application: breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2024 in section 11.8.Consumer ElectronicsAutomotiveAerospace & DefenseMedicalOthersThis report also splits the market by region: Breakdown data in Chapter 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.AmericasUnited StatesCanadaMexicoBrazilAPACChinaJapanKoreaSoutheast AsiaIndiaAustraliaEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalyRussiaSpainMiddle East & AfricaEgyptSouth AfricaIsraelTurkeyGCC CountriesThe report also presents the market competition landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/manufacturers in the market.
The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in in Chapter 3.Chase CorporationHenkelDOW CorningDymax CorporationCytec SolvayElectrolubeH.B.
High quality conformal coating systems and equipment provide many different advantages for electronics manufacturers at every level of production.
If you are looking for high standard conformal coating system, this coating system is second to none.
From batch to high-volume and in-line processing, a strong line of precision applicators meet the needs of various conformal coating applications.
