Conformal Coatings Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising Trend of Miniaturization – Conformal coatings, which are thin polymeric films applied to printed circuit boards (PCBs), enable designers to satisfy requirements for miniaturization by enabling devices to operate with closer track spacing and higher voltage gradients. Conformal coating is used to shield PCBs from damage and is also considered necessary to reduce PCB conductor spacing.
• Growing Applications in the Medical Sector- Conformal coating aids in shielding medical equipment from corrosive substances, moisture, and other hazards, and also eliminates pinholes and adds a low coefficient of friction, to safeguard and guarantee the dependability of the electronics. The usage of conformal coatings finds increasing relevance owing to their molecular level deposition in medical devices such as stents, catheters, pacemakers, electrosurgical tools, epidural probes, mandrels, needles, and more that are becoming smaller and more compact.
• Conformal Coatings in Aerospace & Defense Industry- For a variety of aircraft applications, conformal coatings are useful as they shield electronic circuits from abrasive surroundings such as fuel vapors, and from failure from the harshest environments in sea, land, and air.

Challenges

• Environmental Concerns associated with Conformal Coatings - When the conformal coating is applied to the PCB, it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pose a risk to the air as well if inhaled, these substances may cause respiratory discomfort or irritation, and several health issues, including headaches, nausea, lethargy, and vertigo. The solvents including toluene, butane, heptane, xylene, and ethylbenzene, which are known to be carcinogenic are utilized in the majority of conformal coatings and are hazardous to human health and the environment.
• Stringent environmental regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Global supply chain issues including transportation delays and shortage of raw materials