Technical Articles (Knowledge Hub)
Expert Guides on Conformal Coating & Parylene
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Conformal Coating Processes Hub
Discover the essential steps that ensure reliable PCB protection with conformal coatings. Each guide focuses on a key process area, offering practical methods and best practices.
- The Importance of Viscosity in Process Control – why controlling viscosity ensures consistent film build and coverage.
- Setting Up a Conformal Coating Production Line – planning equipment, workflow, and QA checkpoints.
- Conformal Coating Processes Overview – an introduction to the main coating application methods.
- How to Spray Coat a PCB with Conformal Coating – A Step-by-Step Guide.
- How to Dip Coat a PCB with Conformal Coating – A Step-by-Step Guide.
- How to Select a Conformal Coating Material – matching material properties to your application requirements.
- Conformal Coating Curing & Drying – how curing methods impact coating performance and throughput.
- Thickness Measurement Overview (Wet, Dry, Optical) – techniques to verify coating thickness for compliance.
- Surface Preparation & Cleanliness for Reliable Coating – cleaning and surface energy control for long-term adhesion.
Conformal Coating Equipment Hub
A central guide to the tools, systems, and machinery used in conformal coating. From manual spray guns to selective robotics and dip tanks, this hub helps engineers choose, operate, and optimise equipment for reliable, repeatable coating results.
Conformal Coating Masking Hub
Discover key masking methods and materials used in conformal coating. Each article explains the masking approach, its best applications, and how to achieve consistent protection of keep-out areas.
- Conformal Coating Masking: Methods & Materials – tapes, dots, custom boots, latex and pre-cut shapes
- Conformal Coating Masking Strategies – barrier vs shielding
- Reusable Masking Boots – cost, speed, repeatability
- How to Mask a PCB with Boots – A How to Guide
- Liquid Latex & Hybrid Barrier Systems – sealing tapes & keep-out edges
Conformal Coating Design Hub
Learn how to design PCBs that are easy to mask, easy to coat and compliant with IPC/IEC standards. This hub covers the key layout rules, coating keep-out zones, component spacing, creepage and clearance requirements, and how to apply Design for Conformal Coating (DfCC / DFM) principles before manufacturing.
- Keep-Outs & Masking-Friendly Layout – coating-free zones and mask access
- Clearance & Creepage – coating influence on electrical spacing (IEC/IPC)
- Component Selection & Orientation – shadowing, venting, standoffs
Conformal Coating Defects Hub
Explore the most common conformal coating defects and failure mechanisms. Each article explains the defect, its root causes, and practical prevention strategies.
- Pinholes, Bubbles & Foam – voids from trapped gas or poor curing.
- Orange Peel – dimpled surface caused by viscosity or spray issues.
- Dewetting – coating recedes, leaving bare patches from contamination.
- Delamination – adhesion loss due to surface prep or stress.
- Cracking – fractures from over-thickness or thermal mismatch.
- Corrosion & Ionic Contamination – residues and ions cause leakage and dendrites.
- Capillary / Wicking Around Components – unwanted flow under parts, breaching keep-outs.
Inspection & Quality Hub
Your central resource for inspection standards, methods, and process controls that ensure coating quality. This hub covers visual inspection, UV checks, thickness measurement, and how to align your process with IPC and industry requirements.
- Conformal Coating Inspection: Standards & Methods
- UV (UVA) Inspection: Coverage & Edge Definition
- Thickness Verification Plans (AQL, Coupons, SPC)
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Removal & Rework Hub
A complete guide to removing, repairing, and correcting conformal coatings using chemical, micro-abrasive, thermal, and mechanical methods. This hub helps engineers choose the right technique for defect correction, rework, and full stripping without damaging components.
Parylene Hub
A comprehensive gateway to understanding Parylene chemistry, deposition, masking, thickness control, and application engineering. This hub explains how to specify, apply, and optimise Parylene for high-reliability electronics, medical, aerospace, and industrial products.
Parylene Dimers Hub
Understand the chemistry and properties of Parylene N, C, D and fluorinated AF-4 (HT) dimers — how purity and molecular structure influence dielectric strength, moisture barrier and thermal stability, and how to select the right grade.
Standards Hub
This Standards Hub brings together the key industry standards that govern conformal coating and Parylene – and links them to SCH’s own technical articles. Use it to navigate quickly between IPC workmanship rules, coating material standards, creepage & clearance design, and high-reliability workmanship guidance.
Articles
- The IPC-A-610 Standard and Conformal Coating – how IPC-A-610 defines coating coverage, meniscus, edge definition and defects.
- The IPC-CC-830 Conformal Coating Material Standard – material qualification, test regimes and what they mean for production.
External Links
- IPC-A-610 training & certification –Workmanship and acceptance criteria for coated electronic assemblies.
- External: UL 746 standards overview – Safety, long-term reliability and environmental performance of coating materials and substrates.
- External: IEC 60664-1 publication – Insulation Coordination (Creepage & Clearance). Defines electrical spacing, pollution degree and how conformal coating can provide “coating credit”.
- External: NASA-STD-8739.1 PDF – Polymeric Applications (Workmanship Standard). Space-grade guidance for cleanliness, surface preparation, coating, and inspection.
Explore More SCH Knowledge
Continue building your understanding of conformal coating, Parylene and ProShieldESD with our technical FAQs, articles, bulletin library and blog insights.
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