Technical Bulletin July 09

Spraying Conformal Coatings and Spray Conformal coating
Processes
Complete Coverage Methods
Today, several methods for spray application of conformal coatings exist including conformal coating aerosols
conformal coating spray booths and automated selective conformal coating spray robots. However, they fall into
one of two process categories being complete and selective coverage processing.

In part one of a two part bulletin, the Complete Coverage Method will be examined looking at the advantages and
disadvantages of the process.

Why choose the conformal coating spraying process?

Dipping of conformal coating is the most efficient

conformal coating application method available.
However, conformal coating spray application is the
widest used method in the global electronics industry.

The reason that the conformal coating dip process is not

used as the main choice is that generally printed circuit
boards (PCBs) have devices that must not be conformal
coated across the PCB. This can lead to a far more
A complete coverage conformal coated spray PCB
demanding labour process in masking and de-masking,
being potentially more time consuming and expensive.

Therefore, spraying of conformal coating can often

reduce significantly these costs, and the savings and
performance depend on the conformal coating spray
process selected.

Conformal Coating Spray Application Method - Complete

versus Selective Coverage Processing

Due to the reduction costs associated with conformal

coating spraying, the correct selection of the appropriate
spray method is critical and is based upon two factors.
The first factor is the type of conformal coating spray finish
that is required. Different spray processes give alternative
finishes and can affect both the long term reliability of the
printed circuit board (PCB) and the aesthetic finish of the
conformal coating. A completely covered PCB looks and
is different for long term reliability compared to a
selectively coated PCB (See pictures opposite).
SCH Technologies is a Trading Name of SCH Services Limited 
Newburgh Building, McLintock Way, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. S70 6BF 
Tel: +44 (0)1226 297711 Fax: +44 (0)1226 297733 
www.conformalcoating.co.uk  SCH Technologies are ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified
A conformal coated automated selective spray PCB
The second factor is purely a financial calculation.
The difference in costs between a fully automated
conformal coating robotic system and a set of
aerosol cans is considerable but need to be
balanced against the labour costs of masking, de-
masking and hand processing and the volume of
boards to be processed.
Therefore, the selection of the correct spray process is
an important decision balanced between
performance and costs.
  
 

Com
mplete
  Cove
erage Metho
ods Since the conformal coa ating “confforms” to all edges
minimising the e slumping effect the performanc
p ce of
Commplete coveerage methods include e aerosol an nd
  the coating iss superior to
o all other methods
m wheen tip
spray booth conformal coa ating technniques. The
cooverage failures are an n issue. Furth
her, the cosmetic
confformal coatting is applie
ed right acrross the PCBB and
fin
nish across the PCB will be aesthetically pleasiing to
any areas that must not be e coated must
m be suitaably
the end user.
masked.

Normmally, the coonformal co oating mate erial is appliied

using
g an atomissed spray prrocess wherre the confo ormal
coatting is spray
yed through h a valve or gun by
commpressed airr and is atom mised into tiiny particless
whicch deposit evenly
e across the PCB. Due to the
atommising effecct, the partic
cles “stick” to
t the area
applied, and sluumping, the e effect of the conform mal
coatting pulling away from sharp edge es is minimissed.

Co
onformal Cooating aero
osols are suittable for ve
ery low
vo
olume application wheere investmeent in confo ormal
co
oating equip
pment is pro
ohibitive.

Co
onformal Cooating Spraay booths be ecome ecoonomic
wh
hen the use
e of aerosolss reaches > 10 aerosolss per
month giving a quick retturn on inve
estment.
Build
d up over sh
harp edges using atomised spray anda
applying layers forms a com mplete film of conform
mal
coating from ae erosol or sprray gun
SC
CH Techno
ologies offe
er

• Confo
ormal coatin
ng Subconttract Service
es

• Globaal supply of Conformal Coating

The completed
c atomised spray
s film (le
eft) protectss the Applic
cation Equippment
tips whereas
w a dip
d or limited atomised d spray layer can
suffe
er from slumping and poor
p tip cove erage • Humisseal Conform
mal Coating
gs

Using
g this techn
nique the layyers of confformal coatting • Confo
ormal Coating Training courses
are built
b up (nominally 2-3 applicationns) and the Consu
ultation & tro
oubleshooting
confformal coatting thickneess is optimissed. PLEASSE CHECK O
OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILLS

www
w.conform
malcoating.co.uk
Fu
uture Bullettins

• Issue Two
T Conforrmal coating
g Spraying and
a Selectiv
ve Spray Co
overage Me
ethods

SCH Techhnologies is a TTrading Name o of SCH Services Limited 
Newburggh Building, MccLintock Way, B Barnsley, South Yorkshire. S70 6BF 
 
Tel: +44 (0)1226 29771 1 Fax: +44 (0)12
226 297733 
www.con nformalcoatingg.co.uk  SCH Technolo
ogies are ISO9001
1 and ISO14001 certified