page_title: Conformal coating
section_title: Spray application coating
hierarchical_section_title: Conformal coating / Coating application methods / Spray application coating
caption_attribution_description: English: Spray booth designed for application of conformal coatings, lacquers and RFI shielding paints
context_page_description: Conformal coating material is a thin polymeric film which conforms to the contours of a printed circuit board to protect the board's components. Typically applied at 25-250 μm thickness, it is applied to electronic circuitry to protect against moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes.
  Coatings can be applied in a number of ways, including brushing, spraying, dispensing and dip coating. Furthermore, a number of materials can be used as a conformal coating, such as acrylics, silicones, urethanes and parylene. Each has their own characteristics, making them preferred for certain environments and manufacturing scenarios. Most circuit board assembly firms coat assemblies with a layer of transparent conformal coating, which is lighter and easier to inspect than potting.
context_section_description: This coating can be completed with a spray aerosol or dedicated spray booth with spray gun and is suitable for low and medium volume processing. The quality of the surface finish can be superior to all other methods when a skilled operator completes the process, provided that the circuit board is clean and the coating has no adhesion problems. The coating application may be limited due to 3D effects. Masking requirements are more of a shield nature rather than a barrier, since there is less penetration. The lack of penetration can be a problem where the coating is desired to penetrate beneath devices.
  Spray application can be one of the most cost-effective ways of applying conformal coating, as it can be done on the bench top for small rework and repair jobs. This method can be done in spray booths for medium scale production.
  One of the key attributes of atomised spraying is giving excellent tip coverage to components. When conformal coatings are applied to a PCB they have a tendency to slump. The first layer of a coating can give a thin edge on the corner of components. This can be improved with a second coat by double dipping or brushing, but this is a repeat process and may not be acceptable. To eliminate this problem atomised spraying can be used.
caption: Conformal Coating Spray booth
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