Polyurethanes (Urethane Resin- UR) are polymeric, flexible, insulating, hard and chemically resistant (Acid—Alkali—Salty water) conformal coatings that are used to protect electronic parts from chemical corrosion, oil, moisture, fungus, and static discharges. Polyurethane coatings are supplied as single or two-component formulas. These coatings are suitable for printed circuit board applications such as sensors in the oil and gas industry, automotive, agriculture and common electronics. Polyurethane can be optically excited under UV-light and fluoresces therefore its inspection is also straightforward. Optically transparent coatings with a bit of tint are visually suitable for encapsulation purposes. Maximum service temperature for these conformal coatings (depending on the type) is ˂130 °C.
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Polyurethane Conformal Coatings: When to consider an alternative
Posted by Sean Horn on Fri, Feb 07, 2020 @ 09:05 AM
Tags: tin whiskers, urethane conformal coating, urethane resin, polyurethane conformal coatings
Conformal Coating Types: Acrylic, Urethane, Silicone, and Parylene
Posted by Sean Horn on Fri, Feb 02, 2018 @ 07:33 AM
Used for aerospace. automotive, commercial, defense, industrial and medical applications, conformal coatings are applied in film layers generally 30-130 microns (micrometers/μm) thick, or 0.0012-0.0051 inches (“). Conformal films’ exceptional thinness is their greatest asset. Coatings safeguard printed circuit boards (PCBs) and similar electronics from performance malfunction generated by unwanted contact with:
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, conformal coating types
Tags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene, urethane conformal coating, rugged electronics, COTS, ruggedization, military electronics
Available in five basic material types, conformal coatings can be readily adapted as protective, insulating films for electronics. However, there can be some confusion about which type is best-suited for a specific use. Clearly defining the performance parameters for the component[s] to-be-coated helps coordinate the conformal film material with a unit’s functional requirements. Accurate assessment of environmental conditions like anticipated levels of corrosion, contact with foreign particulates, expected concentrations of moisture/salt spray, temperature fluctuations and vibrational range determine which coating type is best-suited to your electronics’ applications. Without appropriate protection, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and similar electronics will not survive harsh environments, and malfunction.
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, rugged electronics, electronics, epoxy conformal coating, ruggedization, conformal coating selection, electronic conformal coatings
Appropriately selected and applied, conformal coatings provide essential working protection for printed circuit boards (PCBs). However, removal of conformal coatings is necessary if the wrong coating material is selected relative to the PCB’s functional requirements, inadequately supporting its operating environment. Poor coating application can trigger failure mechanisms within the assembly, also calling for its removal and re-application.
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, conformal coating removal, conformal coating removal services
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) electrically connect and power all but the simplest electronic products. To function as designed, PCBs and their components – capacitors, resistors, etc. – require protection against operating problems caused by corrosive liquids, dust, physical shock, temperature extremes and, in the case of medical implants, bodily fluids. Conformal coatings are applied over PCBs to safeguard mechanisms and maintain functionality.
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, conformal coatings, urethane conformal coating
The value of polymeric conformal coatings for protecting printed circuit boards (PCBs) from functional retardants like dust, corrosion, moisture, and temperature fluctuations has been well-documented. Conforming to the physical configurations of the exposed face of the PCB, conformal coating:
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating
Acrylic (AR) and polyurethane (UR) conformal coatings are among the best known and most commonly used conformal coating materials. As liquid coatings, both can be applied to substrates through a variety of methods:
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, coating comparison
Electronics manufacturers need devices that withstand heat, cold, rain, snow, vibration, fungus, oxidation, and corrosion through decades of operation.
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating
Parylene and urethane conformal coatings share many characteristics. Both are physically strong, resistant to chemicals and mitigate tin whisker formation. This doesn't mean that the two compounds are interchangeable, though. While parylene offers a unique blend of capabilities, many projects choose urethane because of its cost, strength and other advantages.
Read MoreTags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene conformal coating, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, epoxy conformal coating
Acrylic and urethane conformal coating are widely used conformal coatings. While they share the same methods of applications and ultimate end item uses, there are some differences that should be addressed prior to deciding what conformal coating is the best for your project.
Tags: acrylic conformal coating, HumiSeal 1B31, urethane conformal coating, MG Chemicals, HumiSeal, Humiseal 1A33
Parylene conformal coating is a very robust coating, but sometimes it is not the right fit for a customer’s application for one reason or another. The entire conformal coating process is based on first identifying the standards to be used and customer’s protection desired. It would therefore only make sense that there are alternatives to parylene for different conformal coating demands.
Tags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene, parylene conformal coating, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating
Silicone Conformal Coating
Benefits
Tags: conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, tin whisker mitigation, urethane conformal coating, type sr conformal coating, Humiseal 1A33, type ur conformal coating, conformal coating consultation
- HumiSeal 1A33
- HumiSeal 1A20
- Humiseal 1A27
- Humiseal 2A64
- HumiSeal 1A34
- Hysol PC18M
- CONATHANE CE-1155-35
- CONAP CE-1170
- CONATHANE CE-1164
- Techspray Fine-L-Kote
- MG Chemicals 4223
- Electrolube PUC
You should consider using type ur conformal coating whenever your application has any issues with chemical resistivity as type ur coatings are very resistant to chemical solvents. Type ur conformal coating is also smart to include in any tin whisker mitigation strategy, as NASA studies have shown that urethane conformal coatings are one of the few ways to successfully mitigate tin whisker growth. Finally, applications that can see any direct mechanical wear against the coating should consider urethane conformal coatings as well.

Tags: conformal coating, conformal coatings, urethane conformal coating, MG Chemicals, conformal coating types, HumiSeal, Humiseal 1A33, type ur conformal coating
Tin whiskers are electrically conductive, crystalline structures of tin that sometimes grow from surfaces where tin (especially electroplated tin) is used as a final finish. They typically grow from lengths of 1-2 millimeters (mm) but have been observed to lengths in excess of 10 mm. They are a serious issue in the electronics world because they have been known to cause short circuits between circuit elements.
Tags: acrylic conformal coating, conformal coating, conformal coatings, HumiSeal 1B31, tin whiskers, tin whisker mitigation, urethane conformal coating
Using Conformal Coating to Prevent Reverse Engineering
Posted by Sean Horn on Tue, Aug 07, 2012 @ 12:54 PM
Conformal Coatings are used regularly in an attempt to cover technology designs on printed circuit boards (PCBs). Normally, this is done by using a pigmented (coloured) conformal coating which obscures the components below the conformal coating material.
Tags: conformal coating, conformal coatings, urethane conformal coating, conformal coating removal, Nexus3C, epoxy conformal coating, reverse engineering
Urethane conformal coating is becoming an increasingly popular conformal coating choice. However, it is not suitable for all applications. Instances where the product is going into a high vibration environment or has a high heat requirement would not ideal candidates for urethane conformal coatings.
Tags: parylene conformal coating, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, Humiseal 1A33
Solvent exposure
In applications that have an exposure to solvents, acrylic conformal coating is not the best choice. Acrylic conformal coating can be removed with a weaker solvent such as isopropyl alcohol or xylene. Whenever it faces even stronger solvents, it will not offer the protection that is needed, especially if your product is a mission critical device. Other coatings, such as urethane or parylene conformal coating have a far better resistance to solvents than acrylics.
Tags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene conformal coating, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, conformal coatings, HumiSeal 1B31, urethane conformal coating, HumiSeal, epoxy conformal coating
Tags: parylene conformal coating, conformal coating, conformal coatings, tin whiskers, tin whisker mitigation, urethane conformal coating, urethane resin
WHAT IS CONFORMAL COATING
Conformal coating is a protective non conductive dielectric layer that is applied to protect the assembly from damage due to contamination, salt spray, moisture, fungus, dust and corrosion caused by harsh or extreme environments.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONFORMAL COATING?
There are 5 different mediums for conformal coating:
- Parylene
- Acrylic Resin
- Urethane Resin
- Epoxy Resin
- Urethane Resin
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EACH TYPE OF CONFORMAL COATING?
- Parylene (Type XY)
- Acrylic Resin (Type AR)
- Epoxy (Type ER)
- Polyurethane (Type UR)
- Silicone (Type SR)
Tags: acrylic conformal coating, parylene conformal coating, conformal coating, silicone conformal coating, urethane conformal coating, epoxy conformal coating