ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
ELECTROLUBE
ELECTROLUBE INTRODUCE
RAPID UV CURE
CONFORMAL COATING
Electrolube, the global manufacturer of electro-chemicals, has
launched one of the most important new introductions to the
conformal coatings market for years. 2K850 is a revolutionary new
addition to Electrolube’s ‘2K’ two-part polyurethane portfolio, which
combines the two-part chemistry of an encapsulation resin with the
ease of application of a conformal coating.
Using innovative technology, 2K850 combines 2K technology with a
UV cure mechanism, giving 2K850 a vastly faster processing time with
superb levels of protection. Compared to single part UV coatings,
2K850 is extremely efficient with a tack-free touch dry time within
minutes, and a full cure of just 24 hours, compared to the industry
moisture cure average of 8-14+ days or where an additional thermal
process of one hour curing at 120°C is required.
With all coating applications, controlling the flow rate at a suitably
low level, whilst also maintaining the correct mix ratios is a challenge
that has been overcome by a specially developed, low volume
progressive cavity pump. These pumps accurately control flow
rates of the individual components of the formulations within ±1%,
maintaining control of the volumetric mix ratio and ensuring correct
curing and final properties of the dispensed materials. While 2K
coating materials can be applied thinly (50-75µm), they have been
designed, formulated and tested to be applied at greater thicknesses
(250-300µm), to facilitate superior encapsulation of components and
component leads.
Electrolube works closely with Nordsen Asymtek, PVA and suppliers
of selective coating equipment used by customers, to ensure that
new materials work perfectly in the user’s application process. For
example, working collaboratively with PVA over the last 2 years
has led to the development of the VPX-2KS spray valve, especially
designed for the selective application of 2K coating materials.
2K materials provide a solvent-free alternative to both UV and
silicone materials, requiring less capital investment than UV
materials and improving on the performance of most silicones in
harsh environments. The new 2K range has been extensively tested
against UV and silicone coatings in thermal shock, powered salt-
spray, condensation and mixed flowing gas test regimes that are
commonly used during automotive qualification campaigns. In each
of these tests, the new 2K materials outperformed the UV and silicone
materials in every respect, withstanding thermal shock cycles at
more than double the thickness of a UV material and demonstrating
outstanding salt-mist and condensation resistance.
About Electrolube
Electrolube, a division of H.K. Wentworth Limited, is a
leading manufacturer of specialist chemicals for electronics,
automotive, LED and industrial manufacturing. Core product
groups include conformal coatings, contact lubricants, thermal
management materials, cleaning solutions, encapsulation resins
and maintenance and service aids.
The extensive range of electro-chemicals at Electrolube
enables the company to offer a ‘complete solution’ to leading
manufacturers of electronic, industrial and domestic devices,
at all levels of the production process. Through collaboration
and research, the company is continually developing new and
environmentally friendly products for customers around the
world and their commitment to developing ‘greener’ products
has been endorsed by the ISO 14001 standard for the highly
efficient Environmental Management System in place at the
company.
Winners of the Queen’s award for Enterprise 2016, Electrolube
is represented in over 55 countries with an established network
of subsidiaries and distributors. By offering genuine security of
scale and a reliable supply chain, the company is able to deliver
a truly tailored service.
For further information, please visit www.electrolube.com.
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PECM Issue 35