Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1535183
from a cathode. We are trying to make sure that the residues we have are inert throughout the lifetime of the assembly. They make our lives easier because now, in the assembly, even if there is condensation happening or we are in a high-humidity envi- ronment, you can maintain functionality without having any electrochemical failure or electrical shorts. Now, let's talk about the current technology and applications of conformal coatings. Beth Turner: At MacDermid Alpha, we're uniquely positioned to provide materials that span the entire electronics manufacturing value chain. I work specifically within our Polymer Protection and Thermal Materials division, under the Elec- trolube brand. Our focus is on understanding the complex inter- actions that occur on printed circuit boards. Not all materials are compatible, and sometimes their com- binations can lead to unexpected results. To tackle this, we've been developing a Reliance Tool, a framework designed to help build up layers of protection on PCBs to enhance reliability and performance, particularly in harsh environments. Environmental challenges like condensation can significantly impact the functionality and longevity of electronic devices, often leading to costly failures or safety risks. As packaging densities grow and components are subjected to increasingly harsh con- ditions, ensuring the high reliability of electronic assemblies becomes more critical than ever. We've seen a growing interest from customers and industry partners who are facing reliability issues related to condensation- heavy environments. They're eager to understand how materials perform under these conditions, and through our testing, we've been able to identify which combinations offer the best protection. We presented a paper at the IPC APEX EXPO, where we shared findings on conformal coating performance in condensing test environments. This research directly informs our Reliance Tool, giving customers valuable insights into how to effectively layer different materials from our range to protect circuit boards and ensure long-term performance. Is this an online tool? Turner: It's not available online, but we're more than happy to share the information if you reach out. Think of it as a pyramid, where we build layers of protection based on real-world environ- mental conditions shared by end users. While we know design engineers may still want to conduct their own material tests, we can offer valuable guidance, data, and insights to help signifi- cantly shorten testing time. Beth Turner