A contact cleaner (also called electrical cleaner, switch cleaner, electrical contact cleaner, and specific for automotive repair, battery terminal cleaner) is a solvent cleaner designed to remove contamination from electrical contacts, the...

Generally, contact cleaners contain 100% solvent, which dissolves grease, carbon deposits, and other contamination, and allows it to run off. The solvent then evaporates, leaving a clean, conductive surface behind. Aerosol lubricants, like WD-40,...

Certifications are used to separate conformal coatings from general purpose varnishes and shellacs. There are dozens of user and industry specifications, but the two major certifications are most commonly referenced: IPC-CC-830B / MIL-I-46058C...

You may be required to remove a conformal coating from the PCB to replace damaged components or other types of rework. The basic methods as cited by IPC are: Solvent Removal – While most conformal coatings can be dissolved in solvent,...

Conformal coatings are generally very thinly applied, which provides the best protection possible, but minimizes heat entrapment, excess weight, and other issues. Typically, conformal coating is applied between 1 to 5 mils (25 to 127 microns)....

Common application methods for conformal coatings: Manual spraying - For low volume production when capital equipment is not available, conformal coating can be applied by an aerosol can or handheld spray gun. This can be time-consuming and...

Typically, conformal coatings are not waterproof. These coatings are semi-permeable, so do not fully water-proof or seal the coated electronics. They protect from environmental exposure, improving the durability of the electronic device, while...

Choose the coating resin based on the protective properties you need: Acrylic Resin (AR) – AR coatings are relatively economical, provide good overall protection, and are easy to apply and repair. They have high dielectric strength, and...

There’s a dirty little secret in the fiber optics world. Many installers use cleaning methods that when inspected under a scope, show a great deal of contamination left behind. Unless they inspect 100% of their connections, they...

2018 was a rough year for PCB assemblers who use silicone conformal coating. Many EMS buyers of silicone conformal coating have experienced shortages, with lead times going from days to weeks, then even to months. All the while, prices have...