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Conformal coatings are materials applied in thin layers (typically a few mils
or a fraction of a mm) onto printed circuits or other electronic substrates.
They provide environmental and mechanical protection to significantly extend
the life of the components and circuitry. Conformal coatings are traditionally
applied by dipping, spraying or simple flow coating, and increasingly by
select coating or robotic dispensing.
Conformal coatings protect electronic printed circuit boards from moisture and
contaminants, preventing short circuits and corrosion of conductors and solder
joints. They also minimize dendritic growth and the electromigration of metal
between conductors. In addition, the use of conformal coatings protects
circuits and components from abrasion and solvents. Stress relief is also
provided, as well as protection of the insulation resistance of the circuit
board.
Dow Corning coatings are particularly useful for protecting circuitry in
severe service environments, while maintaining a low stress environment for
components and connections. These severe conditions range from every day
temperature and humidity extremes seen in consumer electronics, to the more
harsh automotive underhood applications, up to the extremes demanded in
military or industrial applications. They are supplied in a variety of forms
that can be cured at room temperature or very significantly accelerated by
heat.
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