PARYLENE PROTECTIVE COATINGS
Parylene is the ultimate protective coating for metals and is used to protect devices, components and surfaces in a wide range of end applications. Parylene is a hydrophobic polymer that is lightweight and can be applied as an extremely thin, homogeneous film. This film is perfectly smooth and completely transparent and does not cause any undesirable effects such as surface tension or distortions.
The coating (which, depending on the application, can be between 1 µm and up to 50 µm thick) offers exceptional resistance to aggressive media and liquid hydrocarbons and can also be used as a diffusion barrier for gases. In addition, the coating passes the salt spray test and is biocompatible, enabling its use in medical applications such as stents, catheters, needles, medical electronics, seals, elastomers, hearing aids, implants, pacemakers and electrosurgical instruments.
The micrometal Etching Group (including HP Etch and Etchform) also regularly uses the Parylene coating process for applications in the automotive industry (e.g. fuel cells, seals, etc.), for LEDs, in electronics, in MEMS/nanotechnology applications, as well as in the defense and aerospace sector, for example for printed circuit boards and satellite electronics.
The advantages of a Parylene coating are numerous and diverse:
- It offers excellent protective properties and is resistant to inorganic substances, acids, alkalis and solutions. This makes it ideal for metal parts and components used in dynamic and demanding operating environments.
- The coating offers corrosion resistance, acts as an effective barrier against moisture and chemicals, has high temperature resistance (from -220°C to +200°C) and high dielectric strength (5,000 V / 25 µm).
- The coating process ensures uniform layer thickness regardless of geometry, and the low coefficient of friction enables use as a dry lubricant.
- It is optically clear and, as a dry lubricant, eliminates the need for liquid release agents. As it is applied at room temperature, it can be used on almost all metal parts and components that can withstand a moderate vacuum.
Industry already recognizes the importance of PCE in modern supply chains and how the precision of the technology and its unique process characteristics enable the series production of components that cannot be realized using conventional metalworking methods.
The option to apply Parylene coatings to the components manufactured by micrometal aligns with our mission to provide customers who demand first-class precision metal parts and components with a versatile and continuously evolving range of services.
