Best Types of Coating for PCB

In today’s modern world, we all rely on electronics daily. From cell phones to cars, electronics are present in nearly every moment of our day. Electrical systems and devices are vulnerable to damage from various natural and artificial sources. Contaminants may compromise performance or longevity. Because of this, it is necessary to protect the printed circuit boards (PCBs) at an electronic’s core.

One form of PCB protection is conformal coating, a film applied to a fully assembled circuit board. This layer acts as a shield to protect the PCB against dust, dirt and other chemicals. It can also protect from moisture that can lead to corrosion.

Conformal coating can be applied via several different techniques. The most common are dipping and spraying. Both methods are suitable for higher volumes of PCBs and are known for their consistency.

As electronics become more complex, the use of conformal coating has become more prevalent. It is important to not only coat your PCB but to select the right type of coating.

Because there are several different options for conformal coating, it can be hard to know what’s right. That’s why many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) turn to contract manufacturers to help them make the decision. Finding a partner to collaborate with can help guide OEMs through the conformal coating process.

Contract manufacturers like RiverSide Integrated Solutions (RIS) offer a variety of coating options. At RIS, we offer silicone, epoxy and urethane that work well for a wide range of electronics applications. But let’s take a closer look at how each option is used.

Silicone is one of the most common types of conformal coatings for PCBs. There are many advantages to using silicone. But the big thing that sets it apart is the broad range of temperatures it can withstand.

Electronics exposed to harsh conditions often utilize silicone conformal coating. This includes those exposed to extreme heat and high humidity. Silicone is also chemical and corrosion-resistant.

There is one area where silicone is not superior, though. Silicone can be difficult to remove once applied and requires a chemical solvent to loosen it. For this reason, repairs on boards coated in silicone are more costly and time consuming.

This type of conformal coating is known for its excellent chemical and moisture resistance. Urethane excels in safeguarding electronics against harsh environmental factors. It forms a robust barrier against chemicals and moisture, ensuring PCB longevity and performance stability.

However, like silicone, removing urethane coatings can be challenging. They often require a solvent bath and agitation. Despite this, urethane remains a valuable choice for PCBs requiring durable, resilient protection against challenging conditions.

The epoxy conformal coating offers robust protection, especially in demanding environments. It excels in shielding PCBs from chemicals, moisture and temperature fluctuations.

Like urethane, epoxy’s key strength is its exceptional resistance to harsh conditions. This makes it ideal for electronics operating in challenging settings. It withstands high temperatures and guards against contaminants and moisture.

However, epoxy coatings can be challenging to remove or rework when necessary, requiring specialized solvents and agitation. Despite this, epoxy remains a top choice for PCBs needing durable protection in harsh conditions.

At RIS, PCB assembly is one of our core competencies. We provide reliable, seamlessly-assembled printed circuit board systems built with extreme precision.

Our skilled engineers, technicians and assemblers work to expertly put together a complete PCBA. When you choose RIS, you can expect the hands-on customer care of a small operation with the capabilities characteristic of a larger company. We provide our complete electronics manufacturing services for OEMs in any industry.

Our electronics assembly expertise includes:

• Surface Mount Technology (Fine-pitch, BGA (1 mm), µBGA (.4 mm), 01005, X-Ray, automated rework, and automated optical inspection (AOI)
• Magazine to Magazine handling
• Smart Shelving floor stock inventory control
• X-ray reel counting
• Lead-through auto-insertion (Axial, Radial, DIP, and Zierick Terminals)
• Wave Solder and Selective Solder Machines (No-clean & aqueous flux processes) RoHS and Tin/Lead capabilities
• Special Application Equipment (Cobot dispensing systems)
• Conformal coating (Silicone, Urethane)
• Potting (Epoxy, Urethane, and Silicone)
• Low-pressure molding technology
• Comprehensive product testing
• 3D Printing

RIS is an advanced contract manufacturer providing robust solutions in circuit board assembly and product assembly. We employ more than 350 people and provide services to OEMs worldwide. We operate two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities within the US.

With all of the choices in contract manufacturers out there, we know it can be challenging to find someone who understands your business model and has your best intentions in mind. RIS has always proven to be a win-win-focused relationship.

As your one-stop shop, we have the capabilities, capacity, quality assurance standards and resources to support all of your manufacturing needs. We understand that supply chain management is complex and very time-consuming, so we urge our customers to utilize us in the fullest capacity.

Our total-package solutions include:

• Extensive supply-chain network
• Full box-build assembly
• Dedicated Program Team
• Warehousing, kitting and drop-shipping capabilities
• Reverse logistics
• Flexible order fulfillment
• Scalability to meet your needs

Contact us today at (507) 523-3220 to see how we can help with your manufacturing project, or click contact us for a quote.