Key points of the article
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Total focus on electronic protection: we highlighted the strategic role of conformal coating to ensure PCB reliability even in extreme environments.
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at our booth we shared a practical guide to conformal coatings, with clear selection criteria, advantages and limitations of application methods, and an in-depth look at the most common errors to avoid.
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Technical presentation by our expert Enrico: a focused presentation on the causes and solutions of the most common defects (bubbles, orange peel, delamination, fisheyes…) that can compromise circuit protection.
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Collaboration with Skyward: even in space, we protect electronics. At our booth, the GEMINI rocket showcased a real challenge: conformal coatings and sealants selected by Mascherpa to withstand thermal shock, vibrations and partial vacuum in aerospace testing.
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Direct dialogue with technicians and designers: two intensive days, rich with concrete discussions on real problems and solutions to implement immediately in production.
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Technical material available: for those who could not attend or want to learn more, the complete guide on conformal coating application and the trade show recap video are available.
This year we at Mascherpa participated in Focus On PCB 2025, the international trade show dedicated to the entire printed circuit board production chain.
Two days packed with meetings, discussions and technological innovation, where our team had the opportunity to dialogue with professionals from the electronics sector and present the most advanced solutions for protection, production and maintenance of PCB electronic boards.
Index
- Electronic protection: focus on conformal coatings and resins
- Coating types and selection criteria
- Application techniques: advantages and limitations
- How to avoid the most common errors: Enrico’s presentation
- Even in space… we protect electronics
- The best of Mascherpa at Focus On PCB 2025
- Thank you to those who visited us
- Download the Technical Guide on conformal coating
Electronic Protection: Focus on Conformal Coatings and Resins
One of the most discussed topics at the Mascherpa booth was electronic protection in critical environments with a particular focus on how to avoid errors in protective conformal coating application.
Thanks to our field experience, we presented the main conformal coating types illustrating their differences in terms of thermal resistance, chemical resistance, flexibility and application method.
Coating Types and Selection Criteria
The choice of ideal coating depends on multiple factors: operating temperature, presence of humidity, vibrations, need for reworkability or chemical resistance. Each type has specific pros and cons, and during the trade show we demonstrated how to navigate the available options based on the application context.
Application Techniques: Advantages and Limitations
The main application methods were analyzed:
- Dipping, effective but requiring accurate masking.
- Selective spraying, ideal for automated and precise production.
- Manual application, suitable for small batches or touch-ups but subject to thickness variations.
Each method requires attention to operating parameters to avoid visual or functional defects.
How to Avoid the most Common Errors: Enrico’s Presentation
While last year we focused on PCB protection, during Focus On PCB 2025, our expert Enrico gave a technical and in-depth presentation on the most common errors in conformal coating application and how to avoid them:
- Air bubbles: caused by incorrect spraying, excessive viscosity or rapid drying.
- Orange peel: symptom of irregular thickness or incorrect spraying distance.
- Cobwebbing: due to overly volatile solvents or excessive pressure.
- Dewetting and delamination: often related to surface contaminants or incompatible materials.
- Cracking: cracks in the coating due to excessive thickness or overly aggressive thermal cycles.
- Fisheyes: small craters caused by contamination in the spraying system or compressed air.
- Capillary effect: the coating seeps under components, leaving critical areas uncovered.
We illustrated how to prevent them through proper selection of process parameters, accurate surface preparation and post-application quality control.
Even in Space… We Protect Electronics
Our experience in printed circuit board protection doesn’t stop on Earth. We are proud to collaborate with Skyward Experimental Rocketry, an association of the Polytechnic University of Milan that designs sounding rockets.
The students from the polytechnic displayed the GEMINI rocket at our booth, a sounding rocket designed to reach over 6,000 meters altitude. Through this project we were able to provide support in the selection and supply of electronic protection materials, including conformal coatings and sealants capable of withstanding extreme thermal shock, intense vibrations and partial vacuum conditions. The collaboration included joint testing, environmental simulations and climate chamber validations, essential to ensure proper functioning of onboard electronic systems throughout the entire mission.
This experience demonstrates how printed circuit board protection solutions are now fundamental even in highly specialized fields such as aerospace. And how technical expertise, combined with listening skills and experimentation, can make the difference even where conditions challenge the limits of technology.
The Best of Mascherpa at Focus on PCB 2025
Our participation was marked by significant moments of dialogue with designers, quality managers and production technicians. We showed real application cases, examples of successful coatings and supported visitors in evaluating their board requirements.
Thank You to those who Visited Us
We thank everyone who came to visit us at our booth. Direct dialogue is a valuable opportunity for us to listen to market needs and better orient our offering.
Download the Technical Guide on Conformal Coating
If you missed the trade show or want to learn more, we have prepared a complete technical guide for you, dedicated specifically to the most common errors in conformal coating application and methods to avoid them.
