Superior PCBA Protection
Against Liquids, Condensation, Humidity, Salt and More
nanoGUARD the World
actnano’s advanced PCBA protection technologies are an innovative alternative to traditional conformal coatings. Our fluorine-free coatings can be applied directly on connectors, antennas, LEDs and high-heat generating components, allowing electronics manufacturers to comprehensively safeguard their devices against moisture, humidity, condensation, salt and sweat.
Advanced nanoGUARD meets or outperforms numerous, rigorous customer and industry requirements and is REACH and RoHS compliant. Our proven technology is currently protecting many of the world’s foremost consumer electronic brands, safeguarding millions of vehicles and defending numerous industrial applications against harsh electrical and environmental conditions.
A Quantum Leap Ahead of Traditional Conformal Coatings
100% 3D COVERAGE
- Horizontal and vertical surfaces
- Undercoat large components (BGAs, etc)
- Use on rigid or flexible substrates
- No cracking or bubbling
WATERPROOF EXCEEDING IPX7/8+
- Protection from liquids, condensation, humidity, salt and more
CONNECT THROUGH CAPABILITY
- No/minimal masking required
- Coat connectors and contacts
- Maintain high speed signal integrity connections
COAT HEAT SINKS AND ANTENNAS
- No RF influence
- Negligible thermal impact
LOWEST TOTAL COST
- No ovens or curing required
- Dries in 30-60 seconds at ambient temperature
- Use existing or standard equipment for application
- Easy PCBA rework and repair
CERTIFICATIONS & STANDARDS
- ELV 2000/53/EC
- WEEE 2002/96/EC
- IEC 61249-2-21 EU Directive
- UL 94 Flammability
- UL 746E
- China Standard GB 30981-2020 for VOCs
- 2006/122/EC
- IPC-CC-830C
100% Coverage of PCBA
Protecting your electronics with Advanced nanoGUARD eliminates the need for masking or keep-out areas, allowing for full protection saving valuable time, labor cost and factory floor space.
Standard Coatings
Uncoated areas are vulnerable to failures from condensation, water ingress, and corrosion
Advanced nanoGUARD Coatings
nanoGUARD covers 100% of the PCBA leaving no areas uncoated for maximum protection
Frequently asked questions
-
What is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)?
A PCB is a blank board that serves as a foundation to connect electronic components.
-
What is a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)?
A PCBA is a fully functional board that's created by soldering or assembling electronic components onto a printed circuit board.
-
What is the difference between a PCB and PCBA?
A PCB is a blank circuitry board, while PCBA is a board containing the electronic components necessary for the board to function as needed.
-
What are the key components of a PCBA?
PCBAs can include resistors, capacitors, connectors, antennas, BGAs, It is important to protect all of these components from water ingress because if one component fails, the entire board will fail.
-
What is a conformal coating?
A conformal coating is a thin polymeric layer that protects a PCB and its components from environmental stressors and extends its working life.
-
Why do I need to protect my electronics?
Protecting electronics is crucial to ensure their functionality, reliability, and longevity. Environmental factors like moisture, dust, and chemicals can cause corrosion, short circuits, and other damage to electronic components, leading to device failures. Effective protection helps maintain the performance of electronics, reduces the risk of costly repairs or replacements, and ensures the devices operate optimally in various conditions.
-
What is a gel-state coating?
A gel-state coating is a type of material applied in a semi-solid, gel-like form that provides a protective or functional layer on a surface. It combines the characteristics of a liquid and a solid, allowing it to conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining a stable structure. This type of coating is often used in various industries for purposes such as corrosion resistance, insulation, or as a medium for drug delivery. The gel state allows for easy application and curing, resulting in a durable and effective coating.
-
Which type of conformal coating is best for electronics protection?
The best coating choice for electronics manufacturers is one that provides robust protection against environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and chemicals. It should enhance the performance of devices by improving thermal management and reducing electrical interference. Additionally, an ideal coating should be easy to apply, durable, and cost-effective, minimizing maintenance and operational costs while ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the electronics. actnano’s Advanced nanoGUARD coatings are the premiere choice for electronics protection. Contact us today to learn more.
-
What is 3-D coating protection?
3D coating protection for PCBAs refers to a coating technique that provides a protective layer over the entire surface of a printed circuit board assembly, including its components, connectors and antennas, in three dimensions. This coating shields the board from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes, which can cause corrosion, short circuits, or other forms of damage. The 3D aspect ensures that the coating reaches all surfaces, edges, and crevices, offering comprehensive protection and enhancing the durability and reliability of the electronic device. This technique is especially important in applications where PCBAs are exposed to harsh conditions, such as in automotive, aerospace, and industrial environments. Only actnano offers a coating that covers 100% of the PCBA, allowing connect-through capability and no signal loss or interference.
-
What is best coating to use for no UV cure
An ambient-cure coating, meaning it can cure at room temperature without the need for UV light exposure. This characteristic makes it versatile and convenient for various electronic applications, as it eliminates the need for specialized equipment and reduces production time and costs. actnano's Advanced nanoGUARD (ANG) coatings provide robust protection against moisture, corrosion, and environmental contaminants without requiring UV curing, offering manufacturers an efficient and effective solution for enhancing the reliability and durability of electronic components.
-
What is the best coating for no heat cure
A low-temperature, ambient-cure coating like Advanced nanoGUARD (ANG) that can be applied at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. ANG is suitable for sensitive electronic components that cannot withstand the high temperatures typically required for curing processes. actnano’s coatings form an ultra-thin, hydrophobic layer that repels water and other contaminants, providing durable protection against corrosion and environmental damage without the need for heat curing.
-
Do antennas still send and receive signals when coated?
Coating antennas with conformal coatings can affect their performance. ANG coatings show negligible impact to high frequency RF signal transmission, and can enable complete environmental protection for 5G devices including antennas.
-
Why is 100% coating coverage better than coatings that require masking?
100% coverage provides comprehensive protection to all parts of the electronic components, eliminating any potential weak points where damage could occur. Unlike coatings that require masking, which may leave areas exposed and vulnerable, full coverage ensures uniform protection, enhancing the durability and reliability of the electronics. Additionally, 100% coverage simplifies the application process by eliminating the need for masking, saving time and reducing the risk of human error, thus ensuring consistent quality and performance of the coated devices. Only Advanced nanoGUARD provides 100% 3-D electronics protection.
-
What is overspray?
Overspray refers to excess material extending beyond the target coverage area that often settles on unintended surfaces resulting in uneven coverage, contamination of adjacent areas, and potential interference of electronic component performance.
-
What is rework and why is it important for PCBAs?
Being able to rework Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) is crucial for several reasons. First, it allows for the correction of manufacturing defects or errors, such as solder bridges, misplaced components, or damaged traces, thereby ensuring the functionality and reliability of the final product. Secondly, rework capability extends the life of electronic devices by enabling repairs and upgrades, which is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly as it reduces electronic waste. Lastly, it supports iterative design processes and prototyping, allowing engineers to make adjustments and improvements without needing to produce entirely new boards, thus speeding up development and reducing costs.