Conformal Coating Curing & Drying

Understanding conformal coating curing & drying is essential for ensuring protective films reach full mechanical, electrical, and chemical performance.

This guide explains the main cure mechanisms—air, oven, UV, moisture, and dual-cure—and how to select the right process for quality and throughput.

Illustration of conformal coating curing and drying showing a PCB under UV light and inside an oven with icons for clock, thermometer, and UV rays

Why Curing & Drying Matter

  • Mechanical strength: Full cure provides adhesion, hardness, and abrasion resistance.
  • Electrical reliability: Ensures insulation resistance, dielectric strength, and prevents leakage.
  • Chemical resistance: Proper cure resists solvents, fuels, and cleaning agents.
  • Process stability: Defined cure profiles reduce variation and rework.

Curing & Drying Methods

Method How It Works Strengths Limitations
Air Dry / Evaporation Solvent evaporates at room temperature Low cost, no equipment, simple Slow (hours to days), solvent emissions, variable results
Oven Cure (Thermal) Heat accelerates solvent evaporation or cross-linking Faster, more consistent, controllable profile Needs ovens, energy cost, possible thermal stress on components
UV Cure UV light triggers polymerisation in photoinitiated coatings Instant cure (seconds), high throughput, low WIP Shadowing issues, line-of-sight only, equipment cost
Moisture Cure Ambient humidity triggers cross-linking (common in silicones/urethanes) No ovens needed, good depth cure Slow (hours), dependent on RH/temp
Dual-Cure (UV + Moisture/Heat) UV sets surface, secondary cure completes under shadowed areas Complete cure, high throughput, robust Complex chemistries, validation required

Process Control & Best Practice

  1. Define cure profile: Time, temperature, humidity, UV energy dose.
  2. Validate equipment: Oven mapping, UV intensity monitoring, airflow control.
  3. Track WIP: Record batch cure times, lot numbers, operator signatures.
  4. Verify cure: Solvent rub tests, hardness, dielectric checks.
  5. Minimise variation: Standardise cure fixtures, board spacing, oven loading.

Standards & Guidance

  • IPC-CC-830 (material qualification & cure tests)
  • IPC-A-610 (acceptability, bubbles, cure completeness)
  • OEM customer specifications for cure time, hardness, or IR testing

Troubleshooting Cure Issues

  • Sticky surface: Incomplete cure; increase oven dwell or UV dose.
  • Blisters/bubbles: Too rapid solvent evaporation; reduce temp ramp or apply thinner coats.
  • Discolouration: Over-temperature; confirm oven calibration.
  • Cracking: Excess thickness or over-cure; check viscosity and cure window.

SCH Curing & Drying Solutions

We provide curing and drying equipment including:

Need help setting cure profiles?
SCH can validate cure methods, supply ovens, UV systems, and provide training on conformal coating curing & drying for reliable results

Why Choose SCH Services?

Partnering with SCH Services means more than just outsourcing — you gain a complete, integrated platform for
Conformal Coating, Parylene & ProShieldESD Solutions, alongside equipment, materials, and training, all backed by decades of hands-on expertise.

  • ✈️ 25+ Years of Expertise – Specialists in coating technologies trusted by aerospace, medical, defence, automotive, and electronics industries worldwide.
  • 🛠️ End-to-End Support – Guidance on coating selection, Parylene grades, masking strategies, application methods, inspection, and ProShieldESD integration.
  • 📈 Scalable Solutions – From small prototype batches to full-scale, high-volume production, SCH delivers flexible capacity that grows with your needs.
  • 🌍 Global Reach – Responsive technical support and supply coverage across Europe, North America, and Asia.
  • ✅ Proven Reliability – A strong reputation built on quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction across services, equipment, and materials.

📞 Call: +44 (0)1226 249019
✉ Email: sales@schservices.com
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