Technical Articles (Knowledge Hub)
Expert Guides on Conformal Coating & Parylene
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Jump quickly to any section of the Knowledge Hub:
Conformal Coating Processes Hub
This hub covers the core conformal coating processes, with practical guidance on setup, control and optimisation to achieve reliable PCB protection.
- Holistic Conformal Coating Process – Integrating design, environment, materials & application
- Automation & Industry 4.0 in Conformal Coating – How digital processes, inline dip and robotics improve yield & reliability
- 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 Brush Coat a PCB with Conformal Coating – 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
This hub explains the tools, systems and machinery used in conformal coating, from manual spray methods to selective robotics and dip tanks, and how to specify, operate and optimise them for repeatable results.
- Choosing the Right Valve for Selective Robotic Coating – matching valve type, pattern and material to your boards and throughput targets.
- Selective Robotic Conformal Coating: Best Practices – programming, fixturing and process controls for consistent coverage.
- Conformal Coating Spraying with a Spray Gun – manual spray techniques, setup and troubleshooting for small-batch work.
- Conformal Coating Dipping: Process Controls – dip speed, dwell time and viscosity settings for uniform films.
Conformal Coating Masking Hub
This hub covers the main masking methods and materials, explaining where each works best and how to achieve consistent protection of critical 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
This hub focuses on designing PCBs and assemblies for coating, including keep-out zones, component spacing, creepage and clearance, and applying DfM/DfCC principles before manufacture.
- 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
- Edge Coverage & Drain Paths – Meniscus control and pooling avoidance in conformal coating
- Conformal Coating Thickness Targets – Defining ranges by chemistry and function
- Material Compatibility – silicones, labels, adhesives, flux residues
- Test Coupons & Witness Boards – coverage & thickness validation tools
- Inspection Aids & Labelling – making conformal coating easy to verify
- Design Checklist (DfM/DfCC) – pre-release conformity review
Conformal Coating Defects Hub
This hub explains the most common conformal coating defects and failure mechanisms, their root causes, and practical actions to prevent or correct them in production.
- 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
This hub brings together inspection standards, methods and process controls that ensure coating quality, from visual and UV checks to thickness measurement and alignment with IPC requirements.
- Conformal Coating Inspection: Standards & Methods – visual, UV and test criteria linked to IPC expectations.
- UV (UVA) Inspection: Coverage & Edge Definition – using fluorescence to verify coverage, edge sharpness and defects.
- Thickness Verification Plans (AQL, Coupons, SPC) – building measurement plans around coupons, sampling and SPC.
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Removal & Rework Hub
This hub outlines chemical, micro-abrasive, thermal and mechanical methods for conformal coating removal and rework, helping engineers choose the right technique without damaging components.
- Conformal Coating Removal Methods (Wet & Micro-abrasion) – comparing solvents, strippers and micro-abrasive techniques.
- Inside the micro-abrasive blasting process – how nozzles, media and pressure affect removal results.
- Parylene Removal: Precision Micro-abrasion – focused blasting strategies for hard, thin Parylene films.
- Conformal Coating Rework Workflow – structured steps for clean, repair and recoat activities.
- Conformal Coating Removal: Local and full stripping – when to use partial vs complete removal methods.
Parylene Basics Hub
This hub introduces Parylene chemistry, deposition, masking, thickness control and application engineering, and explains how to specify and optimise Parylene for high-reliability electronics, medical, aerospace and industrial products.
- Parylene Basics: Dimer Grades, Properties & Uses – overview of N, C, D and fluorinated types and where they are used.
- Parylene Deposition: Process Parameters – controlling temperature, pressure and dose for consistent films.
- Masking for Parylene – boots, tapes and fixtures for vapour-phase keep-out areas.
- Optical Thickness Measurement for Parylene – non-contact measurement methods for thin Parylene layers.
- Parylene vs Liquid Coatings: Selection Guide – comparing barrier, dielectric and cost factors by technology.
- How to Specify Parylene Coating – engineer’s checklist for grade, thickness, masking and testing requirements.
- Parylene Applications: Where Parylene Excels – high-value use cases across electronics, medical and industrial sectors.
Parylene Application Hub
This hub groups the main Parylene applications across medical, PCB, aerospace, automotive and sensor electronics, explaining why Parylene is chosen, how it compares to liquid coatings, and the key design and process considerations for production.
- Parylene Coating for Medical Devices & Health Technologies – biocompatible thin-film protection for implants, minimally invasive tools and diagnostic systems.
- Parylene Coating for PCB Protection – moisture, corrosion and dielectric performance for complex, high-reliability assemblies.
- Parylene Coating for Aerospace & Defence Electronics – mission-critical avionics, defence and space hardware in harsh environments.
- Parylene Coating for Automotive & EV Electronics – under-bonnet, battery and sensor protection for electrified platforms.
- Parylene Coating for Sensors, MEMS & High-Density Electronics – miniaturised, high-sensitivity devices where geometry and mass are critical.
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Parylene Dimers Hub
This hub explains the chemistry and properties of Parylene N, C, D and fluorinated AF-4 (HT) dimers, how purity and molecular structure influence coating performance, and how to select the right grade for your application.
- Parylene Dimers Hub – Landing – overview of dimer supply, packaging and use cases.
- What is Parylene Dimer? – basic chemistry and how dimer becomes a polymer film.
- Parylene Dimer Comparison (N, C, D & AF-4) – relative barrier, dielectric and thermal properties by type.
- How Dimer Purity Affects Coating Quality – links between purity, defects and long-term reliability.
- Choosing the Right Dimer for Your Application – matching grade to process conditions and end-use environment.
Standards Hub
This Standards Hub brings together the key industry standards that govern conformal coating and Parylene, and links them to SCH’s 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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