-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueOpportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
Manufacturing Know-how
For this issue, we asked our expert contributors to share their thoughts on the absolute “must-know” aspects of fab, assembly and test that all designers should understand. In the end, we’re all in this together.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Sensible Design: The Little Guide to Resins
October 17, 2016 | Alistair Little, ElectrolubeEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Over past months, this column has seen Electrolube’s Phil Kinner provide The PCB Design Magazine readers with information, guidance and practical tips on the uses and application of conformal coatings. He now hands over the reins to me, and I plan to do the same for resins, starting this month with a “back to basics” piece that questions the core rationale for potting—why and how do we do it, and what are we trying to achieve or protect?
First, a little background. I joined Electrolube as global business technical director for the Resins Division in January 2016. I currently head up a team of chemists developing formulations that encompass epoxy, polyurethane and silicone resin systems for encapsulating or potting electrical devices or electronic components in order to protect them against a wide range of environments.
In my previous appointment at Gurit (UK) I held the position of senior product development chemist, responsible for the development of new epoxy and vinyl ester resin systems for aerospace, automotive, engineering and marine composite systems. Prior to this, I worked for 2K Polymer Systems, where I developed civil engineering and structural adhesives, and at SI Group, where I worked on UV curing and high-performance resins.
I have wide experience working within ISO 9000, 14001 and 18001 accredited systems, and I am an expert in vinyl ester resin systems (for which I am in the process of completing a PhD in Polymer Chemistry at Loughborough University). I am a Chartered Chemist, an active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a member of the Society of Adhesion and Adhesives.
Resins: Why, Where and How?
I would like to start this series of columns by going back to basics, questioning the core rationale for potting and encapsulation with resins, their fundamental chemistries and how each resin type differs one from the other—indeed, how their individual properties can be exploited to maximise performance under a wide range of environmental conditions.
Let’s start with moisture, the archenemy of electrical and electronic devices that, quite apart from causing short-circuits, can also lead to premature deterioration of components due to corrosion. Polyurethane resins—usually supplied as two-part products, which, when mixed achieve the desired cure—provide that all-important moisture resistance, as well as excellent electrical insulation, flexibility and good adhesion to most substrates, both metal and plastic. Some polyurethane resin systems provide exceptional resistance to sea water, as well as temperature extremes, making them an ideal choice for marine applications such as sensor encapsulation. A good outdoor example of a polyurethane resin encapsulated component that requires maximum protection against water ingress is an LED lighting unit; these resins are also optically clear and UV stable, making them ideal for the task.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the September 2016 issue of The PCB Design Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Absolute EMS Successfully Recertifies ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Standards
03/26/2024 | Absolute EMS, Inc.Absolute EMS, Inc., an award-winning EMS provider of turnkey contract manufacturing services, is proud to announce the successful recertification of its ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Rev D SAE International Aerospace Standards.
Arlon EMC Receives IPC-4101 QPL Recertification
03/20/2024 | Arlon Electronic MaterialsArlon Electronic Materials has successfully completed an intensive two-day recertification audit by IPC Validation Services that examined Arlon’s manufacturing processes and testing procedures to assure that they are in conformance to the requirements of IPC-4101E-WAM1, the Specification for Base Materials for Rigid and Multilayer Printed Boards.
Northrop Grumman Honors Suppliers for Excellence
03/14/2024 | Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman Corporation honored more than 70 suppliers for their outstanding contributions in 2023. In an annual recognition event, the companies included women-, minority- and veteran-owned small businesses as well as those operating in underdeveloped areas.
Cicor Acquires TT Electronics IoT Solutions
03/04/2024 | Cicor Technologies Ltd.The Cicor Group has signed an agreement to acquire TT Electronics IoT Solutions Ltd, with three production sites in the UK and China.
AEM, Texas Aerospace Technologies Bolster Partnership for Latin America
02/26/2024 | AEM Corp.Canadian avionics manufacturer, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp. (AEM), is pleased to announce a partnership expansion with Texas Aerospace Technologies, a subsidiary of Texas Aerospace Services, to add AEM’s new MTP136D modern panel-mount P25 VHF FM Forest Service radio to its lineup of product offerings for their Latin American customers.