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Conformal coating technology is on a continuous path of improvement, and we're excited to say the latest step on that path just happened. UV550 is the most recent innovation from HumiSeal, continuing the trend of industry-defining capabilities in the conformal coating space. This is to be expected from the original inventors of conformal coating material. But what sets UV550 apart from the rest?

Let's discuss how the ever-changing requirements of the automotive and white market space fueled the thresholds this uv-curable material attains, especially with regard to its durability under the most extreme thermal and mechanical cycling conditions.  

HumiSeal development specialists have been designing high-performance, UV-curable conformal coatings for approximately three decades. Compared to legacy solvent-borne and silicone technologies, UV- curable coatings provide some unique properties that can be of great value such as- 

• Nearly instantaneous, consistent curing 
• Superb moisture and environmental protection
• Little or no VOC content

These coatings also lend themselves well to high-speed and high-volume applications due to manufacturing advantages such as- 

• Minimal WIP due to immediate cure capability 
• Low material cost due to 100% solids chemistry
• Smaller manufacturing footprint due to much smaller curing equipment

Durable Protection for Demanding Automotive Requirements

HumiSeal chemists have been designing state-of-the-art conformal coatings for nearly 70 years, first producing UV curable coatings more than two decades ago. At that time, UV curable technology was considered the next generation of coatings, mainly due to its advantages; including:

UV curable conformal coatings have attained widespread use in applications requiring fast through-put times, such as automotive, white goods, and industrial control manufacturing. In addition to speed of cure, UV curable conformal coatings provide the advantage of high physical protection and chemical resistance for electronic systems. Traditionally the UV curing of coatings is an energy intensive process. One that uses high-power mercury discharge lamps, which as a result of use produce considerable amounts of heat and ozone. The recent introduction of new, high-output LED UVA light units allows for the successful cure of conformal coatings by using between 365nm and 395nm wavelength of UVA light, effectively curing with minimal heat and no ozone generation.

Modern hydrogen fuel cell technologies require ever more sophisticated and reliable electronic control systems to assure both safety and longevity. Hydrogen fuel cells are gaining in popularity in critical industries including automotive, aerospace, ocean transportation, military, and power microgrid systems among others. Protection of printed circuit boards and their components from physical, chemical, and thermal damage is essential to produce robust and reliable fuel cell systems for demanding applications.

The evolution of conformal coatings for protection of PCBs and electronics has accelerated over the past few years. One development in particular has increased in popularity due to a promising array of advantages over its predecessors. These are LED Curable Coatings.

A partial list of existing technologies for conformal coatings would include:

• acrylics (both solvent and water-borne)
• solvent-borne polyurethanes
• silicone-based polymers
• synthetic rubber (solvent-borne)
• Parylene technology
• UV-curable acrylated urethanes (arc and microwave bulb source)

and most recently . . .

UV curing of conformal coatings can appear to be a complicated topic, however, a few simple steps will help to correctly set up your production process.   The main difference between UV curable coatings the traditional cure mechanisms is the utilization of UV energy to effect the change from a liquid to a solid. After this rapid UV curing step the coating is tack-free and the PCB can continue its production journey negating any requirement for long curing, post-bakes etc.

HumiSeal®, a leading conformal coating manufacturer announced that BMW has approved UV500 for their Qualified Products List (QPL) following testing to the BMW GS-95011 test standard. Designed for high reliability applications, UV500 is the latest product addition to HumiSeal’s UV cure range of conformal coatings and is available globally from HumiSeal or through our authorized channel partners.