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AUGUST 2019 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 35 additional electronic components are used to increase their functionality and reliability. At the same time, there is an increasing call in these industries to reduce weight to improve system effi- ciencies. Because Parylene coatings are applied as a vapor, the molecules grow into a film, adhering equally to every surface and edge and within crevices. The coatings completely encapsulate complex substrates, providing excel- lent barrier and dielectric protection. Additionally, due to their ultra-thin nature, the protection they provide is achieved without adding significant dimension or mass. Comparatively, liquid coatings are commonly applied by spray, brush, or dip and may not provide complete coverage due to pooling, bridging, or menis- cus effects. While these coating solutions may be sufficient for some applications, they have their limitations when it comes to today's advanced electronic designs. Green Electronics Globally, more than 1.5 billion cellphones are sold each year. Often, these devices are replaced every two years; some are recycled, but others end up in landfills or incinerators. As such, many device manufacturers have committed to reduce or eliminate the use of fluorine, chlorine, and other halogen materials that can emit toxic pollutants when discarded devices are disposed or incinerated. As international standards and initiatives continue to evolve, the availability of envi- ronmentally friendly products and materi- als must increase. Although Parylene variants that contain chlorine molecules are extremely stable even at high temperatures, a new vari- ant has been introduced—ParyFree®—that is entirely halogen-free and offers the benefi- cial attributes of other commercially available Parylenes. ParyFree offers electronics manu- facturers a halogen-free coating solution that provides improved moisture barrier properties over traditional non-halogen Parylene variants. Protection From Moisture, Dust, and Chemicals At the same time, electronic content in devices has increased across industries; the range of demanding environments in which these systems must reliably operate has also increased. Whether in the vacuum of space, under the hood of an automobile, on a rig in an oil field or inside the human body, critical electronics must be well-protected from their environments (e.g., moisture, chemicals, flu- ids, dust, etc.) to ensure reliable operation; lives are literally on the line. In addition, the use of wearable devices has skyrocketed over recent years, and users demand that their gear (e.g., phones, headphones, watches, fitness monitors, etc.) can fully withstand the ele- ments. Essentially, defense-grade ruggediza- tion is now required for consumer electronics. Circuit boards coated with ParyFree were salt-fog tested by an independent facility. The coated boards exhibited no corrosion, salt, or heavy iron oxide deposits after 144 hours of exposure in accordance with ASTM B117-(03). Boards coated with Parylenes C and Parylene HT® exhibited similar results. ParyFree-coated electronics were also recently tested in accordance with the appli- cable requirements of IEC 60529, test condi- Parylene coatings provide excellent moisture, chemical and dielectric barrier protection.