Aeroqual solvent monitoring removes headache from Conformal coating process

Monitoring solvents with the Aeroqual range of Exposure Monitors affords early detection of the presence of unwanted and harmful solvent emissions in the workplace such as conformal coating fumes.

A range of options is available, to suit every requirement, from single workstation to multiple lines. SCH can offer help and support in ensuring you meet your health & safety obligations when using solvent based conformal coatings.

Solvent Exposure Monitoring and Testing

Aeroqual manufactures a wide variety of application specific gas sensors and sensor modules. These are all designed for use in ambient air and are capable of measuring a range of different gases.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Detection

The sensor can be used for a wide variety of volatile organic compounds including solventsand gases from conformal coatings with particular sensitivity toward oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds.

Click here for Aeroqual details.

 

Removing Conformal coating from PCBs -stripping successfully!

Removing & stripping conformal coating materials like Humiseals acrylic’s 1B31 & 1R32 and polyurethane’s 1A33 is made easy using the WS100 Wet Stripping System.

 Removal of unwanted conformal coating from a PCB can be a simple process but depends on what conformal coat is to be removed or stripped from the PCB, the area of c0nformal coating to be removed on the PCB, where the conformal coating is and the type of components on the board.

Removal of unwanted conformal coating from a PCB can be a simple process or a very messy difficult job. It depends on what coating you need to remove, where the coating is and the type of components on the board.

 

The simplest coatings to remove are the acrylics. They have little chemical resistance and therefore are the easiest to remove with stripping fluids like Humiseal’s 1080. These coatings generally re-dissolve back into solution so a combination of soaking and gentle mechanical abrasion works well.

 

The simplest process for local area rework around a device for instance is a cotton bud soaked in stripping fluid and then rubbed gently across the area to be removed which will dissolve the coating. If the coating is fresh, it comes off in a matter of seconds whereas if the coating is old, having been coated many years ago, then it could take a little longer and patience is required!

 

If the area to be removed is larger or the whole board is to be stripped then submersion in a tank correctly selected stripping fluid and abrasion using a soft bristle brush will also dissolve the coatings. A word of warning must be given here. First, when submerging in a stripping material check there are no compatibility issues with the PCB. Stripping fluid could attack components and or writing on the boards occasionally although for acrylic coatings the 1080 stripper is not too aggressive.

 

The other issue that can be a major headache with full stripping of a board is that because the coating re-dissolves into the stripper, there will now be coating residue all over the PCB even where you didn’t want it. This can be a real problem with certain components such as low profile connectors! To remove these residues you will need several tanks of stripping fluid and the PCB will need to be fully rinsed in each, gradually flushing the residue out of the wrong areas. Once completed the PCB should then be cleaned in a cleaning system to remove any unwanted ionics.

 

These two processes also work for coatings such as polyurethanes and silicones although since they have chemical resistance they are tougher to remove. Correct stripping solution selection is critical and this is why Humiseal have several stripping products including 1063 for polyurethanes.

Click for further information on conformal coating removal.

Humiseal and SCH for the full range of conformal coatings

Humiseal and SCH work closely on a range of conformal coating projects including conformal coatings used in solar panels, automotive and control drive systems. SCH offer a full technical support including trouble shooting, design aid and help with selection of conformal coating materials and equipment.

Click here for the full range of Humiseal conformal coating materials.