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New Product Announcement: PCB Conformal Coating
Materials science company Dow announced last week the release of an abrasion-resistant silicone-based material.
According to the company’s press release, DOWSIL CC-2588 Conformal Coating protects printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic components against high humidity and corrosion.
“Dow’s silicone-based conformal coatings can resist extremely harsh environments while supporting environmental sustainability and manufacturing productivity,” said Tong Wu, industrial electronics, global segment leader at Dow. “New DOWSIL CC-2588 Conformal Coating has an attractive balance of properties and is an important addition to our portfolio because it addresses customer needs and industry trends in PCB manufacturing and assembly.”
The coating is virtually odorless, offers extremely low volatile organic compounds, supports spraying for higher throughputs and cures at room temperature for reduced energy consumption. It also allows automated inspection equipment to use ultraviolet light to detect any voids in the coating.
The company goes on to report that DOWSIL, once cured, is comparable to other resin conformal coatings in terms of toughness, with a durometer rating of 76 Shore A. The coating has a tack time of five minutes at room temperature to support assembly adjustments prior to permanent bonding and provides reliable adhesion without the delamination associated with acrylate conformal coatings and the darkening associated with polyurethane products.
The new coating is reportedly formulated to have a high concentration of solid components and can readily dry to a film thickness of 50 to 200 microns in a single spray—virtually eliminating bubbles (<10 min.) that can cause voids and expose substrates to contamination.
Additionally, Dow says that DOWSIL “provides the dielectric insulation, vibration dampening and moisture protection needed in PCB manufacturing and assembly for automotive electronics and household appliances” and “in network transformers may keep coils from loosening and provide cushioning against stress.”
