What is UL-94 and how does it relate to conformal coating?

Underwriters Laboratory (UL) are a global safety certification body for consumer electronics.

UL 94, a test method from UL, measures conformal coating material’s tendency either to extinguish or to spread the flame once the test specimen has been ignited. This is now harmonized with IEC 60707, 60695-11-10 and 60695-11-20 and ISO 9772 and 9773.

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What is the IPC CC830 Standard and how does it relate to conformal coating?

The IPC Standard, IPC-CC-830B Qualification and Performance of Electrical Insulating Compound for Printed Wiring Assemblies,  was originally written as an alternative to MIL-I-46058C and is used in conformal coating all over the world. The standard is used for qualifying conformal coating materials by suppliers and manufacturers of the products. The major difference between the IPC standard and the Mil standard is that the IPC standard is self-certification and not completed by independent means.

If you would like to know more about conformal coating standards and handbooks or other products and services offered and supported by SCH Technologies, please do not hesitate to contact us

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What is the IPC A 610 Standard and how does it relate to conformal coating?

IPC-A-610, Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies, is used worldwide by original equipment manufacturers and EMS companies and is the most widely used electronics assembly standard in the world.

The standard illustrates industry-accepted workmanship criteria for electronics assemblies through full-color photographs and illustrations. There is a short section on conformal coating and this can be useful. However, there are more standards and handbooks out there that can help in a more informative way in processing.

If you would like to know more about conformal coating standards and handbooks or other products and services offered and supported by SCH Technologies, please do not hesitate to contact us

Telephone: +44 1226 249019

Email: sales@schservices.com

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What standard should I be using for application and inspection of conformal coating?

First, in standards a critical distinction needs to be made between the user of a conformal coating and the manufacturer of coating. The Interconnections & Packaging Conference (IPC) standards are very good for both these areas and their details can be found on http://www.ipc.org.

For manufacturing you need IPC-CC-830B which details all the hoops a manufacturer has to jump through to self-certify the quality of their product.

For production purposes you would need either the IPC A -610 standard or the IPC –HDBK-830. The first gives some minor references which are of limited help except for specifying acceptance criteria.  However, the handbook is a compilation of the conformal coating industry’s practical knowledge and will help designers & users of conformal coatings to understand the practical implications of selection, application and inspection, explaining in detail how to achieve the best results.

You should also be aware that right now the IPC standards on Conformal Coating Inspection are being reviewed and you can join the debate on the IPC techlink.

Another good resource on topics like conformal coating defects are the Technical Bulletins from SCH Technologies.They covered the full range of conformal coating defects and this will help in the inspection stages.

Click Conformal Coating Inspection FAQs to find out more about this and other issues relating to the process.

What standard should I be using for application and inspection of conformal coating?

First, you need to distinguish between application and selection of coating, and qualification and manufacture of coating. As a rule the first is for the user of the end coating product and the second is for the manufacturer of the coating.

The Interconnections & Packaging Conference (IPC) standards are very good for both these areas and their details can be found on www.ipc.org .

In your case, for production purposes you would need either the IPC A -610 standard or the IPC –HDBK-830. The first gives some minor references which are of limited help except for specifying acceptance criteria. However, the handbook is a compilation of the conformal coating industry’s practical knowledge and will help designers & users of conformal coatings to understand the practical implications of selection, application and inspection, explaining in detail how to achieve the best results.

Alternatively, review the Technical Bulletins, specifically from August 08 to February 09 which covered conformal coating defects and this will help in the inspection stages.

Further information on this topic include general Conformal Coating Standards and Conformal Coating Inspection Standards