Conformal Coating
Conformal coating is a process in which dielectric coating, such as epoxy, urethane, parylene, acrylic and silicone, is sprayed onto a substrate. Conformal coatings are used to protect products from fungus, moisture, abrasion, corrosion, etc. Products that commonly utilize conformal coating include circuit boards used in transmitters, railroad and mass transit purposes and data recorders and control systems.
Conformal coating is one of many types of coating services. Coating services are necessary for applications in which thin films or coats made of varying materials are applied to substrates. The coating process includes solution preparation and delivery to applicator, the coating application itself and drying and solidification. In the first step, raw material is specified and tested, deaerated, mixed and dispersed. Then, fluid flow, weight and measurement of the coating are determined. Certain substrates will only be compatible with particular coating materials. The final drying and solidification process includes heating and ventilation systems, as well as heat transfer and defect mechanisms.
Dipping, spraying and simple flow coatings are the typical methods through which conformal coatings are applied. Characteristics of conformal coatings include low cost, non-toxic, low thickness, one-part product, rapid cure and wide range of operating temperatures.