Conformal Coatings

For most traditional manufacturing processes, conformal coating and environmental protection are not a planned process, minus applications that were designed for harsh environmental conditions from the start. This chapter discusses the industry updates in the use of conformal coatings and their use in electronics manufacturing and their effect on long-term reliability. It describes the various aspects of conformal coatings including Environmental Health and Safety requirements, the five basic conformal coating types and new emerging materials, and preparatory steps necessary to ensure a successful coating process. The chapter examine the various methods of applying conformal coating as well as the aspects for cure, inspection, and demasking. The finishing steps require most of the labor involved in the conformal coating process. The chapter also discusses the repair and rework processes and reviews the design guidance on when and where coating is required and the physical characteristics and properties to consider.