• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
- Page 1 of 4
Working Safely With Conformal Coatings
A Guide to Safe Working Practices with Conformal Coatings 
Many conformal coatings contain a variety of ingredients, including solvents. If used incorrectly, theseconformal coatings can adversely affect your health in many ways. In some cases, the effects can be veryserious. This guide gives you important advice about avoiding risks when using Conformal Coatings inpractical applications such as conformal coating spraying, dipping, brushing and robot selective spray.
Please take time to read this document.
What is a Conformal Coating?
Generally, a conformal coating comprises of two key components: the resin blend (conformal coating)which protects the board and the solution blend in which the resin is suspended. When the coating isapplied, the solution evaporates over a certain time period leaving the resin on the board to protect theproduct.Many chemical substances within the solution which are used to dissolve or dilute other materials are called“solvents” and are often mixtures of several individual chemicals. They can be found under a variety oftrade names.Typical solvents used in conformal coatings include: Xylene, Toluene, MEK and even water, which is anexcellent solvent for certain water-based conformal coatings!
How can Solvents in Conformal Coatings affect my Health?
Different solvents within coatings can affect your health in different ways. Some of the short-term effectscan be:
•
 
Irritation of eyes
•
 
Irritation of the lungs and skin
•
 
Headaches
•
 
Nausea
•
 
Dizziness
•
 
Light-headedness.Unconsciousness and even death can result from exposure to very high concentrations of solvent vapours.When affected by solvents, there may be an increased chance of your involvement in an accident. Therecan also be long-term effects on your health from repeated exposure to particular solvents. These caninclude dermatitis, but other possible effects on health vary according to which solvent you are exposed.
How can Solvents from Conformal Coatings get into my Body?
•
 
By inhalation - breathing in vapours and fumes.
•
 
By absorption - If they come into contact with your skin.
•
 
By ingestion - swallowing liquid solvents.
 
- Page 2 of 4
What should I do if I think my Health might be affected?
If you believe that your health is being affected through work with solvents, or if you are concerned thatadequate precautions are not being taken to protect you from potential harmful effects, you shouldapproach the person responsible for the conformal coatings area or a doctor, as appropriate.
What Precautions should I take with Conformal Coatings?
•
 
The more you know about conformal coatings, the solvents and the sensible precautions you shouldtake, the safer you will be. That’s why getting information and training is important.
•
 
Make sure that (a) details of the hazards of the particular solvents you use, (b) the precautions totake when using them and (c) the procedures to follow in an emergency are available to you.
•
 
Read the supplier’s safety data sheets and container labels and
follow the advice
on them. Ask aresponsible person for clarification if you need to.
•
 
Ask if solvent-free conformal coatings or safer solvents can be used.
Control of Vapours when using Conformal Coatings
In general
•
 
Make
full use of any ventilation equipment provided to remove vapours from your work area.
•
 
Report
any damaged or defective ventilation plant or protective equipment.
•
 
Wear
any respiratory protection provided. Keep protective equipment in a clean place.Make sure it is kept clean so it is fit to use.
•
 
Make
the most of natural ventilation where appropriate, by opening doors and windows ifnecessary.
•
 
Prevent
unnecessary evaporation of solvents by using the minimum amount for the job,keeping lids on containers and using sealed containers for solvent-contaminated waste.
•
 
Do Not
leave solvent-contaminated rags lying around.
Specific Applications
Brushing Conformal Coating 
Ensure that, where exposure limits are indicated and extraction is required, any conformal coating brushapplication is carried out under adequate ventilation, such as via an extraction booth. Ensure the containerused for the conformal coating materials has as small an aperture as practically possible to ensure minimumloss of vapours. Ensure that any boards coated are allowed to dry before removal from the ‘extracted’ areato prevent solvent escape into ‘non-extracted’ areas. This is particularly important where large-area brushapplication takes place.Also, when touch-up of PCBs takes place after de-masking, this is usually carried out under UV light in anenclosed booth. It is imperative that adequate extraction is applied to this enclosed area, since a build upof solvents can occur.
Spraying Conformal Coating (including selective application robots)
Good practice is important when spraying any type of conformal coating, since solvents are particularlyhazardous when atomised. This applies to aerosols, spray guns or robotic application equipment. Allspraying should be carried out in a dedicated spray booth and extraction applied as per themanufacturer’s recommendations.
 
- Page 3 of 4
Dipping Conformal Coating 
Ensure the dip coating system has an adequate extraction system for the conformal coatings used. Ensurethe lid over the dip tank is kept in place when the system is not utilised. When boards have been dipped,ensure that they are dry before removing them from the extracted area of the dip coating system, since thisis the most hazardous time for emission of solvent into an un-extracted area.
Minimum Level of Extraction
For spray booths, the recommended minimum level of average air velocity required within a standardopen-fronted spray booth is 0.7 m/s. The basic formula to calculate the “volume required” is:
AREA x VELOCITY = VOLUME
For example: a spray booth with a working / spray enclosure 1m x 2m high would require a minimumexhaust volume of 1.4 m
3
/ s.This applies to sprayed conformal coatings and exposure will be different to brushed or dipped coatings.Also, the calculations are not exact. Sensible judgement needs to be applied but if in doubt, refer to HSG178 “Spraying of Flammable Liquids” to ensure that you have the right level of protection.
Other Precautions When Using Conformal CoatingsDo not
eat or smoke in areas where there are conformal coatings.
Wash
thoroughly after working with conformal coatings before eating or smoking.
Do not
smoke, weld, burn or use any naked flames in areas which may contain solvent.
Skin contactAvoid
skin contact with conformal coatings by wearing suitable protective clothing (gloves, apron, gogglesor face shield etc) where necessary.
Do not
use solvents to remove conformal coatings from your skin.
Control of Vapours when using Conformal Coatings
In general
•
 
Make
full use of any ventilation equipment provided to remove vapours from your work area.
•
 
Report
any damaged or defective ventilation plant or protective equipment.
•
 
Wear
any respiratory protection provided. Keep protective equipment in a clean place.Make sure it is kept clean so it is fit to use.
•
 
Make
the most of natural ventilation where appropriate, by opening doors and windows ifnecessary.
•
 
Prevent
unnecessary evaporation of solvents by using the minimum amount for the job,keeping lids on containers and using sealed containers for solvent-contaminated waste.
•
 
Do Not
leave solvent-contaminated rags lying around.
Working with Conformal Coatings in Confined Spaces
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...