Conformal Coating

Conformal coatings are often applied to PCB/FPC assemblies for the purpose of providing electrical insulation, supplying protection against environmental elements, and enhancing resistance to mechanical vibration. These coatings “conform” to the various component geometries on the populated circuit board. While they are intended to be impermeable barriers, conformal coatings must be breathable to allow trapped moisture on the PCB surface to migrate away from active conductive paths. To minimize the risk of trapped moisture, it is recommended that manufacturers properly clean and dry their boards prior to coating. Coating adhesion can also be significantly improved when they are applied to clean, dry boards and films.

Panacol-USA’s solvent-free conformal coating adhesives of the Vitralit^® line consist of light curable acrylated urethanes and cationic epoxies. The acrylated urethanes include products that possess high flexibility after cure, what makes them ideal for flex circuits and PCB’s with delicate components and thin gage wire leads. Curing in seconds under moderate intensity UV/Visible light, these coatings yield dry, tack-free surfaces. They are highly moisture resistant, and their low Shore A-scale hardness makes them easier to remove for localized repair.

Cationic epoxy coatings are typically more durable by nature, offering higher resistance to extremely harsh operating environments and chemicals. They cure with UV light, and produce dry, tack-free surfaces. In the event that UV exposure is prematurely terminated, the initiated cationic curing process will continue to completion in the areas previously illuminated. This provides an added degree of assurance that full cure is consistently attained in the established bonding process.

Conformal Coatings of the Vitralit^® line cure fast under UV light