Contracted firms will sometimes use some form of conformal coating on their finished circuit boards. The particular coating, the method of application and the method of curing will often vary greatly from firm to firm. There are several products to select from to use as coating and a few different ways to cure and apply it, with each company having a preference possibly based on the sorts of work they do most frequently and what their customers prefer, as well.
Small and medium businesses that don’t do production but who contract it out instead may not understand the function and significance of the coating. Though the sort of product used may change, the proven fact that it’s mandatory for circuit boards that’ll be used in many different types of environments is in general agreed up on by manufacturers.
Circuits must be shielded from stuff like dust, moisture, vibration, chemicals and anything more that would damage the delicate electronics. Someone not familiar in electronics might think that sealing all boards absolutely would protect them best. Board coatings are not complete seals, however. They are basically breathable barriers that keep elements out, but will permit moisture to escape if the board itself has any trapped within it. This protecting barrier helps forestall the boards from failing when they are utilized in contaminated environments.
If you think of all of the different things a straightforward mobile is exposed to, it’s easier to see the importance of some form of barrier. A telephone could be used in a kitchen where somebody is cooking with oil, which puts small grease particles into the air. Somebody speaking on the telephone in wet weather out of doors exposes the electronics to moisture. They are often put in bags, purses, baskets and pockets that might contain dust, lint and other debris.
When you choose a contract electronics company, ask about their conformal coating process. Some types and techniques of application could be better for your project than others, and some businesses might be able to offer coating at a nicer price than others. It’s not something worth stinting on during creation, so ask about the efficiency of the application methodology and cost per board to be sure you figure this into your contract production budget.
MOR Manufacturing can handle your contract electronic needs from coating and board assembly to complete PCB design. Visit our website at mormfg.com for more data.