Advanced Functional Coating Services

Application, validation and production coating of ultra-thin and specialist coating technologies

Advanced functional coatings offer unique performance benefits including ultra-thin protection, hydrophobic behaviour, low surface energy performance and chemical resistance.

In most cases, the question is not whether these coatings are desirable β€” it is how to implement them in a practical and cost-effective way.

SCH provides application, validation and production coating services to remove the barriers to adoption, allowing customers to test, prove and scale advanced coatings without committing to full in-house setup.

The goal is simple β€” remove barriers to using advanced coatings, not create them.

The process below shows how advanced coatings can be tested and scaled without committing to full production setup.

Advanced functional coatings startup pathway showing testing validation and production scaling process

Start with validation, then scale into production when ready

Why application matters

Advanced functional coatings are typically applied as ultra-thin films, where performance depends on surface condition and application quality rather than thickness alone.

In practice, this means consistency becomes important when moving from initial trials into repeatable production.

  • Achieving uniform ultra-thin film coverage
  • Maintaining hydrophobic or low surface energy behaviour
  • Controlling coating build-up on complex geometries
  • Ensuring adhesion across different substrates
  • Reducing variation between batches and operators

In practice, this is simply part of moving from initial trials into repeatable production.

The diagram below highlights where the real cost risk sits and how it can be avoided.

Advanced functional coatings cost risk showing material cost setup investment and process validation approach

Avoid upfront investment until the coating process is proven

Cost, risk and process reality

Advanced functional coatings often have a higher material cost per litre than conventional conformal coatings. However, this does not automatically mean the cost per coated PCB is higher, as these coatings are typically applied at much lower film thickness.

The more significant challenge is the upfront process setup. Dip coating systems require a minimum working volume, which can result in a substantial material investment before any production value is realised.

It is not uncommon for tens of litres of coating to be required to operate a system effectively. This can represent an initial material investment of tens of thousands before the process is proven.

The key risk is not the coating itself, but committing to equipment, material and process before confirming the solution works in practice.

  • Material tied up in tank fill before validation
  • Uncertainty around real-world performance
  • Process optimisation required before scale-up
  • Potential losses during early implementation

SCH coating services provide a low-risk entry point, allowing customers to evaluate coating performance and process viability before committing to full in-house investment.

When to engage SCH

  • You want to try advanced coatings without committing to full setup
  • You need to validate coating performance on real components
  • You are unsure how to apply coatings consistently in production
  • You want to avoid upfront material and equipment investment
  • You need a clear pathway from testing through to production

If this reflects your situation, SCH can support you in testing and moving towards production with confidence.

From material to application

Selecting the right coating chemistry is only part of the solution.

Real-world success comes from combining material performance with a practical and repeatable application process.

The coating material defines the potential performance. The application process determines whether that performance can be delivered consistently in production.

SCH works at the interface between coating material, component geometry and production process to ensure that coatings are not only selected correctly, but applied effectively.

Our coating services

SCH supports customers at each stage of adopting advanced functional coatings.

  • Feasibility trials – confirming coating suitability and performance
  • Prototype coating – applying coatings to real components for evaluation
  • Process development – defining application methods and parameters
  • Production coating – scalable coating services for ongoing supply
  • Failure analysis and optimisation – resolving issues and improving outcomes

This allows customers to start small, prove the solution and move towards production with confidence.

Application methods

The correct application route depends on coating behaviour, component geometry and production requirements.

  • Dip coating using controlled immersion and drainage
  • Spray coating using manual or controlled systems
  • Selective application techniques
  • Hybrid and custom application approaches
  • Process trials to determine the optimal method

SCH selects the application method based on achieving consistent performance rather than simply choosing a convenient process.

Typical applications

Advanced functional coating services are used where conventional coating approaches may not be suitable.

  • Printed circuit boards and electronic assemblies
  • Connectors and complex interface areas
  • Precision mechanical components
  • Fluid-exposed parts requiring chemical resistance
  • Surfaces requiring hydrophobic or low surface energy behaviour
  • Applications where reduced masking or thin films are beneficial

Part of the SCH coating selection system

This service supports customers who have identified that an advanced functional coating route may be appropriate, but need a practical way to implement it.

Useful starting points include:

Once a coating route is selected, SCH provides the pathway to test, validate and scale the solution.

Why Choose SCH Services?

SCH acts as a practical bridge between coating selection and production, allowing customers to start without committing and scale when ready.

  • Low-risk entry into advanced coating technologies
  • Ability to test coatings without full capital investment
  • Support from feasibility through to production
  • Access to both coating services and equipment solutions
  • Practical, process-focused approach based on real applications

Discuss your coating project

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This page provides general technical guidance only. Final coating selection, application method and process validation should be confirmed through testing under actual operating conditions and relevant customer, industry or regulatory requirements.