Shielding Your Circuit Boards

Contracted businesses will sometimes use some type of conformal coating on their finished circuit boards. The coating, the method of application and the technique of curing will often vary greatly from company to company. There are different products to select from to use as coating and some alternate ways to cure and use it, with each company having a preference possibly based totally on the sorts of work they do most frequently and what their customers prefer, also.

Small and medium businesses that don’t do manufacturing but who contract it out instead might not understand the function and importance of the coating. Though the kind of product used may vary, the fact that it’s necessary for circuit boards that’ll be used in many different types of environments is in general agreed up on by manufacturers.

Circuits must be shielded from stuff like dust, moisture, vibration, chemicals and anything more that would damage the sensitive electronics. Somebody not familiar in electronics might think that sealing all boards completely would protect them best. Board coatings are not complete seals, however. They’re basically breathable barriers that keep elements out, but will allow moisture to dissipate if the board itself has any that’s stuck inside it. This protective barrier helps forestall the boards from failing when they are utilized in less than optimal environments.

If you think about all the different things a simple mobile is exposed to, it’s better to see the seriousness of some form of barrier. A telephone might be utilized in a kitchen where someone is cooking with oil, which puts tiny grease particles into the air. Somebody talking on the telephone in wet weather out of doors exposes the electronics to moisture. They are regularly put in bags, purses, baskets and pockets that might contain dust, lint and other debris.

When you choose a contract electronics company, ask about their conformal coating process. Some types and techniques of application may be better for your project than others, and some companies could be able to offer coating at a nicer price than others. It’s not something worth skimping on during manufacture, so ask about the potency of the application method and cost per board to be sure you figure this into your contract production budget.

MOR Manufacturing can handle your contract electronic orders from coating and board assembly to start-to-finish PCB design. Drop by our website at mormfg.com for more info.