Insights
Engineering insight, not blog content. These posts are short, practical observations drawn from real-world work in conformal coating, Parylene deposition and ProShieldESD applications.
They are designed to help engineers and manufacturers spot issues earlier, understand likely root causes, and make better design and process decisionsβespecially where performance, compliance and reliability matter.
For structured, evergreen reference guidance, use our Knowledge Hub (including Technical Articles and the Conformal Coating Defects Hub).
For company updates and announcements, see our News page.
π Fast Links
Quick access to SCH reference resources (recommended when you need definitive guidance):
π° Latest Insights
Recent insights are listed below.
Where relevant, each insight links to supporting reference content.
Incorrect Trust in Measurement Data - Why single-point readings and βin specβ results often create false confidence in conformal coating One of the most common mistakes in conformal coating is assuming that measurement data…
Inconsistent Coating Thickness: Why Process Control Fails - Why thickness variation is usually a process problem long before it becomes a measurement problem Inconsistent coating thickness is rarely caused by one bad reading or one poor…
How to Repair Lifted Conformal Coating Edges (Without Making It Worse) - Controlled rework methods using solvent and low-lint swabs to restore clean coating boundaries Lifted or damaged coating edges are a common issue during conformal coating processes, particularly after…
Why ESD protection fails in data centres - Hidden gaps in packaging, infrastructure, handling and environment often undermine static control ESD protection in data centres often fails because the strategy is too narrow. Controls may exist…
The Most Overlooked ESD Risk in Data Centres: Packaging - Why static risk often begins before equipment reaches the rack Packaging is often treated as a logistics detail, not an ESD control point. In reality, cardboard, foams, trays,…
Wrist Straps Donβt Protect Data Centres - Why operator-only ESD control does not address infrastructure and handling risk Wrist straps are not a complete ESD solution in data centre environments. They control charge on a…
Measurement Reliability on PCBs: Why Eddy Current Often Fails and What to Do Instead - Measuring coating thickness on PCBs is harder than most people expect Eddy current thickness measurement often gives unreliable results on PCBs. Ground planes, copper density, component proximity and…
Delamination Despite Cleaning: Why Clean Boards Still Fail to Hold Conformal Coating - Cleaning helps, but it does not guarantee adhesion Delamination after cleaning is often a surface chemistry problem, not simply a cleaning failure. A PCB can appear clean, pass…
Why Low-Cost Electronics Still Need High-Performance Coatings - Why even low-cost electronics can require high-performance coating solutions Low-cost electronics are often deployed in high-risk environments. That creates a contradiction: the product may be inexpensive, but the…
Parylene Is Not Always a One-Shot Coating Process - A second layer of Parylene can work β but it is not the same as getting it right first time Parylene is often treated as a one-pass, final…
Can Parylene Be Removed and Reapplied? Development and Rework Reality - Parylene is not always a one-shot coating process in development Parylene is often seen as a permanent final coating, but in development work that is not always the…
Why Parylene Coating Changes Capacitive Sensor Performance - Why Parylene coating can become part of the electrical system in capacitive sensor design Parylene does not always behave as a passive protective layer. In capacitive sensor systems,…
Why Conformal Coating Processes Fail in Small Engineering Environments - Most coating defects are driven by process issues β not the material itself Most conformal coating defects are not caused by the coating. They are caused by what…
Ultra-Thin Static Dissipative Coatings for Electrostatic Speaker Diaphragms - Introduction Electrostatic speaker diaphragms present a highly unusual coating challenge. The surface must be static dissipative enough to distribute charge in a controlled manner, yet the coating must…
Parylene Coating for Stent Frames & Fine Metal Structures - Introduction Fine-feature metal structures such as stent frames and other micro-machined components present unique challenges in conformal coating. While Parylene deposition is inherently conformal, the real engineering work…
Anti-Static Fan Coating: What Actually Works on Rotating Plastic Blades? - Industrial fans used in electronics, hazardous areas and process environments are sometimes specified as βanti-staticβ or βESD safe.β In practice, achieving stable static control on a rotating component…
Can ESD Coatings Adhere to Silicone Keyboards? - Silicone components (keypads, seals, flexible housings) are common in industrial and hazardous-area products, but silicone is one of the most challenging substrates to coat reliably. If you are…
Restoring ESD Performance on PVC Conveyor Belts β Without Replacement - A manufacturing customer operating an electronics assembly line identified that their PVC conveyor belt surface had drifted out of ESD compliance over time. Measured surface resistivity had increased…
Cracked Conformal Coating After Thermal Cycling β A Process Reality Check - Cracking of conformal coating is most often discovered not during initial inspection, but after thermal cycling, environmental testing, or extended service exposure. In field investigations, cracking is rarely…
De-Wetting Seen After Cleaning β When βCleanβ Isnβt Clean Enough - A common inspection finding is localised de-wetting of conformal coating, particularly on solder joints or around component leads, even when a cleaning process has been applied beforehand. In…
Why Conformal Coating Wicks Along Wire Strands β A Field Observation - During inspection of coated assemblies, we occasionally observe conformal coating creeping along exposed wire strands well beyond the intended coated area. This is often flagged as βover-applicationβ, but…
Rework in Conformal Coating and Parylene: Why Removal Method Matters More Than Most Teams Realise - What coating services experience teaches about speed, control and damage risk in real PCB rework Rework is not just unavoidable β it is one of the biggest hidden…
Hybrid ALD/CVD Coatings for LED Protection β Where Do They Really Fit? - Understanding the role of ultra-thin coatings in LED protection without the hype Protecting LEDs from long-term exposure to harsh environments is becoming increasingly critical, particularly for outdoor and…
What is Plasma Coating? - Where plasma-deposited nano films fit in surface engineering and electronics protection Plasma coating is a surface treatment process in which a reactive coating precursor is introduced into a…
Need help with a coating or ESD problem?
If an insight here sounds familiar, we can help you diagnose root cause quickly and recommend a practical route forwardβwhether thatβs process correction, material selection, validation testing, or support with conformal coating, Parylene or ProShieldESD.
π Call: +44 (0)1226 249019Β Β |Β Β β Email: sales@schservices.comΒ Β |Β Β π¬ Contact Us βΊ
