PCB Conformal Coatings

EPD offers a variety of conformal coating options to protect your circuit boards against harsh environments

What Are Conformal Coatings?

Conformal Coating is the process of applying a thin film-like material to protect circuit boards, components, and other electronic devices from harmful environmental conditions including moisture, thermal shock, static, vibration, and contamination. The term “Conformal Coatings” refers to the protective coating conforming to the irregular shape of the PCB or electrical component.

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When Should You Use Conformal Coatings?

EPD recommends conformal coatings to protect the electronic assemblies in harsh environment applications and mission critical components. We are also capable of working with many types of epoxies and potted assemblies for the most extreme environments including chemical and weather hazards.

EPD uses an automated application process that moves circuit boards on a conveyor to a computer-controlled spray head. We also use ultraviolet tracers, which help in inspection and verification processes of how well coatings have been applied.

Types of Coatings

We use acrylic and polyurethane coatings as well as various epoxies as required.

Acrylic Resin (AR) coatings are economical, provide good overall protection, and are easy to apply and repair. They have high dielectric strength, and fair moisture and abrasion resistance. Acrylic coatings are easily and quickly removed by a variety of solvents, often without the need of agitation.

Polyurethane Resin (UR) – coatings are known for their excellent moisture and chemical resistance. They are both abrasion-resistant and solvent-resistant, which results in coatings that are very difficult to remove.