IPC-CC-830 & Conformal Coating Qualification

The performance standard for liquid conformal coatings

IPC-CC-830 is the industry-standard specification for the qualification and performance of liquid conformal coatings used on electronic assemblies. It defines the environmental, chemical, electrical and mechanical tests a coating must pass before it can be approved for critical applications.

Understanding IPC-CC-830 helps engineers ensure coatings meet the reliability demands of aerospace, automotive, medical, defence, and industrial electronics.

What is IPC-CC-830?

IPC-CC-830 (formerly MIL-I-46058C) is the globally accepted performance standard for conformal coatings. It is published by the Institute for Printed Circuits (IPC) and defines the minimum requirements a coating must meet to be classified as a reliable protective material for printed circuit assemblies.

Unlike IPC-A-610, which focuses on visual inspection, IPC-CC-830 focuses on functional performance testing.

What Does IPC-CC-830 Test?

To be qualified, a coating must pass a series of laboratory tests that assess durability, insulation resistance, environmental robustness, and chemical stability.

Key qualification tests include:

  • Dielectric Withstand Voltage (DWV) – Ensures high-voltage insulation capability.
  • Moisture & Insulation Resistance (MIR) – Verifies stability in humidity and condensation.
  • Chemical Resistance – Ensures protection from solvents and contaminants.
  • Fungus Resistance – Required for coatings used in humid or biological environments.
  • Thermal Shock – Confirms coating adhesion and reliability under rapid temperature changes.
  • Flexibility – Ensures the coating can withstand PCB flexing without cracking.

Passing these tests confirms that the coating is suitable for long-term use, including in harsh operating environments.

How IPC-CC-830 Relates to Production Coating

IPC-CC-830 ensures that the material you select has been independently validated to meet minimum performance criteria.
However, it does not guarantee that your production process will also meet requirements.
That is where other standards come in:

  • IPC-A-610 – visual acceptability of coated assemblies.
  • J-STD-001 – soldering requirements prior to coating.
  • IEC / UL 746E – dielectric and tracking resistance.

A coating may pass IPC-CC-830 but still fail in production due to incorrect surface preparation, contamination, curing issues, or masking failures.
This is why process control and inspection are critical.

Why IPC-CC-830 Matters

Using IPC-CC-830-qualified coatings ensures:

  • Consistent global reliability across suppliers and sites.
  • Regulatory compliance for aerospace, automotive, defence, and medical markets.
  • Traceability—qualification numbers are logged by the coating manufacturer.
  • Risk reduction—coatings are tested before entering production.

It is considered the minimum baseline for any high-reliability or safety-critical conformal coating application.

Choosing an IPC-CC-830 Qualified Coating

When selecting a coating, ensure that it is listed on the manufacturer’s IPC-CC-830 Qualified Products List (QPL). Compare:

  • coating chemistry (acrylic, urethane, silicone, parylene, fluoropolymer)
  • dielectric strength
  • temperature range
  • environmental resistance
  • cure method (room temp, heat, UV)

SCH provides independent advice on selecting coatings that meet IPC-CC-830 and application-specific reliability targets.

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.