Abrasive-Resistance Coating for Printed Circuit Boards

Shin-Etsu Silicones of America Inc. (Akron, Ohio) is launching its MR-Coat-01F & 02F conformal coating series, which reportedly features high hardness and high elongation for better abrasion resistance and less stress on printed circuit board (PCB) components.

The MR-Coat products are hard, resin-based, one component systems that do not use toluene as a solvent, which makes them suitable for coating rigid and flexible PCB and printed wiring board (PWB) system applications.

The series is the latest and most improved resin-based coating series from the company, and it is said to offer significantly higher elongation than standard resin-based conformal coatings. They are non-corrosive for general metals, making them suitable for spraying, dipping, brushing and flow coating of PCB/PWB applications, including electronics and LED signs/lights.

According to the company, both products in the low viscosity series are transparent, offer excellent electrical properties, are good for moisture/water proof coating on PCBs and are a condensation cure (room temperature/alcohol type).

MR-Coat-01F features a viscosity of 70. This lower viscosity material is softer (55 Shore A), which reportedly makes it ideal when using a dipping tank process, and it is also easier to spray. It features an elongation at break of 280 and a dielectric breakdown strength of 25 KV/mm.

MR-Coat-02F features a viscosity of 350. This higher viscosity material is harder (71 Shore A), but has a higher elongation than the softer 01F material. It features an elongation at break of 510 and a dielectric breakdown strength of 27 KV/mm.

The MR-Coat series is reportedly tack free in approximately five minutes or less, and it uses a petroleum-based, safe solvent.