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Strategies for Optimal Cure in Solvent-Based Coatings

Solvent-based conformal coatings require careful heat management during curing. Here’s how to optimize the process and avoid common pitfalls.

Q: How should solvent-based conformal coatings be heated in a curing oven?
Solvent-based coatings require a gradual increase in temperature, known as a moderate ramp, to reach the desired cure temperature.

Q: Why is it important to introduce heat slowly when curing solvent-based coatings?
Slowly introducing heat allows the solvents within the coating to evaporate properly before the coating film solidifies.

Q: What can happen if solvent-based coatings are heated too quickly after application?
Introducing too much heat too rapidly can cause the outer layer of the coating to cure prematurely. This can trap the solvent underneath, which is still trying to evaporate, potentially leading to the formation of bubbles within the coating.

Q: Where might I typically see evidence of heating a solvent-based coating too quickly?
The appearance of bubbles in the coating, especially in areas adjacent to electronic components, can be a clear indication that the heating process was too aggressive immediately after coating.

Q: How does the heating process for 100% solid conformal coatings differ from that of solvent-based coatings?
Coatings that are 100% solids and do not contain any solvents can generally be heated more aggressively to reach their optimal cure temperature in a shorter amount of time.

Q: What is an infrared oven, and how does it help with curing conformal coatings?
An infrared oven is designed to precisely control the heated curing profile of conformal coatings. Such solutions like the PVA DeltaTherm utilize infrared energy to warm the substrate from the inside out.

Q: What is a key advantage of using a DeltaTherm infrared oven for curing conformal coatings?
By warming the substrate from the inside out, the DeltaTherm oven helps to avoid premature skinning of the coating surface. This prevents solvents from being trapped underneath, thus reducing the likelihood of bubble formation.

Q: Are DeltaTherm infrared ovens available in different sizes?
Yes, multiple oven lengths are available to accommodate various production throughput requirements.