IPC-A-610 & Conformal Coating

The global workmanship standard for electronic assemblies

The IPC-A-610 standard is the world’s most widely recognised standard for the acceptability of electronic assemblies and includes conformal coating. It defines the visual quality criteria for soldering, component placement, cleanliness, and conformal coating workmanship used across aerospace, automotive, defence, and medical electronics manufacturing.

Understanding its relevance helps engineers ensure that every coated PCB meets consistent, industry-approved quality levels.

Infographic showing IPC-A-610 and conformal coating relationship with key linked standards IPC-CC-830 and J-STD-001

What is IPC-A-610?

IPC-A-610 is a quality standard published by the Institute for Printed Circuits (IPC) — a global trade association that develops internationally adopted specifications for electronics manufacturing. The document provides visual acceptance criteria for finished electronic assemblies, helping manufacturers, inspectors, and customers agree on what constitutes acceptable workmanship.

Origin and Purpose of the IPC-A-610 Conformal Coating Standard

Originally introduced in the 1980s, IPC-A-610 has evolved through multiple revisions (the latest being IPC-A-610H) to reflect advances in surface-mount technology, miniaturisation, and conformal coating methods.

It supports compliance and communication across the global electronics supply chain by defining three classes of product requirements:

  • Class 1 – General electronic products (consumer and low-performance)
  • Class 2 – Dedicated service electronic products (typical industrial and automotive)
  • Class 3 – High-performance electronic products (aerospace, defence, medical, and life-critical systems)

Each class determines the level of quality, reliability, and inspection stringency expected during production and final acceptance.

The Standard and How it Relates to Conformal Coating

Although IPC-A-610 is not a process standard for applying conformal coatings, it is the primary acceptance document used to judge coating quality after application. It works alongside other IPC standards such as IPC-CC-830 (qualification and performance of conformal coatings) and IPC-J-STD-001 (soldering requirements).

Together, they create a consistent framework for both process control and visual inspection.

In practice, IPC-A-610 defines what is considered:

  • Acceptable coating coverage – ensuring all required areas are coated with uniform thickness
  • Cleanliness – no residues, contaminants, or foreign materials under or on the coating
  • Defect criteria – for bubbles, de-wetting, bridging, or coating encroachment on keep-out zones
  • Masking integrity – coating must not cover connectors, pads, or test points

Inspection and Classification

During final inspection, coated assemblies are evaluated against the IPC-A-610 visual examples for their specified class. Class 3, for instance, allows no foreign material, no lifting or voids, and full coating protection in all designated areas — a critical requirement in aerospace and defence electronics.

Consistent application of these criteria ensures that coating defects are identified and corrected before release.

Training & Certification

IPC offers official Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) and Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) programmes for IPC-A-610.
These courses train inspectors and operators to correctly interpret coating acceptance standards, improving both quality and communication across teams.

For organisations without in-house training capability, SCH provides customised conformal coating training and consultancy aligned with IPC guidance.

Why IPC-A-610 Matters for Coating Processes

By aligning your conformal coating process with IPC-A-610, you ensure:

  • Consistent visual acceptance and documentation across suppliers and customers
  • Traceability and compliance with recognised industry standards
  • Reduced disputes over coating defects or workmanship quality
  • Improved product reliability in harsh or safety-critical environments

Useful Links

Standards Hub

Find out more about the IPA-A-610 Standard here

Training Links

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 worldwide.
  • 🛠️ End-to-End Support – Guidance on coating selection, Parylene grades, masking, inspection, and ProShieldESD integration.
  • 📈 Scalable Solutions – From prototype batches to high-volume production, SCH grows with your needs.
  • 🌍 Global Reach – Responsive support across Europe, North America, and Asia.
  • ✅ Proven Reliability – Built on quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction.

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Note: This article provides general technical guidance only. Final design, safety, and compliance decisions must be verified by the product manufacturer and validated against the applicable standards.