Adhesion Testing for Conformal Coatings

Surface chemistry is an enormously complex and cussed branch of the sciences; consequently, we will attempt only a layman's discussion and understanding here. For the purposes of conformal coating, surface energy must be considered for both the exposed surface of the PCB as well as for the coating itself.

The transition to LED curable conformal coatings is beginning to build momentum, beginning as a slow evolution and developing into a revolution of sorts. If you and your organization are faced with aging equipment and higher costs, there isn't a better time to consider the potential advantages of LED curable conformal coatings!

In the days before surface mount printed circuit assemblies, components (such as resistors, diodes, and capacitors) were axial, and printed circuit board components were installed with the “through-hole” method using large conductor spacing. With the advent of integrated circuits, these too were through-hole with good spacing between legs.