Epoxy Coating Composition for Circuit Board Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conformal coating compositions for electronic circuit boards fail to provide adequate protection against environmental changes and contaminants, leading to corrosion and contamination of metal components, which affects the lifespan and functionality of electronic products.

Innovation Solution

An epoxy coating composition comprising 35-70 wt% modified epoxy resin, 30-65 wt% solvent, 0.1-1.2 wt% metal catalyst, 0.05-0.45 wt% defoamer, and 0.1-0.5 wt% surface conditioner, formulated with fatty acid-acrylic epoxy resin, ketone-based solvent, and specific metal catalysts, which forms a transparent film through oxidative curing at room temperature, ensuring protection against temperature, humidity, vibration, and contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conformal coating compositions are used, then the coating can be applied to electronic circuit boards, but the protection against environmental changes and contaminants is inadequate, leading to corrosion and contamination of metal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidcorrosion and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the coating by incorporating specific epoxy resins (35-70 wt%), polyurethane resins (10-40 wt%), and polyester resins (10-40 wt%), along with controlled amounts of solvents, catalysts, and additives. This parameter optimization enables the coating to achieve enhanced protective properties including resistance to corrosion, contamination, and environmental changes while maintaining proper application characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coating material by combining multiple resin types (epoxy, polyurethane, polyester) with solvents, catalysts, and functional additives. This composite formulation synergistically provides superior protection against environmental factors including temperature variations, humidity, UV radiation, and chemical contaminants, while preventing corrosion of metal components on circuit boards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the coating composition is formulated for excellent protection, then reliability improves, but the viscosity stability during storage and continuous use may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective performanceVSAvoidviscosity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully balances the formulation parameters, specifically controlling the solvent content (10-30 wt% isopropanol, 5-20 wt% ethyl lactate) and catalyst concentration (0.1-5 wt% dibutyl tin dilaurate) to achieve optimal viscosity stability. The resin ratio and molecular weight distribution are also optimized to prevent premature curing while maintaining protective performance, ensuring the coating remains usable during storage and continuous manufacturing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the coating provides comprehensive environmental protection, then component reliability improves, but the complexity of the coating composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidcoating composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves multi-functionality by formulating a single coating composition that simultaneously provides protection against multiple environmental factors including moisture, UV radiation, temperature extremes, and chemical contaminants. The resin blend and additive package are designed to deliver comprehensive protection in one application, eliminating the need for multiple specialized coatings and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the coating is designed for room temperature curing, then ease of application improves, but the curing speed may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication easeVSAvoidcuring speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the catalyst concentration (0.1-5 wt% dibutyl tin dilaurate) and resin composition to enable effective curing at room temperature without requiring excessive catalyst that would cause premature gelation. The formulation achieves a balance where the coating remains workable during application and open time is sufficient for manufacturing operations, while still curing to a protective film under ambient conditions, providing both ease of application and acceptable curing speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The epoxy coating composition effectively protects electronic circuit boards from environmental changes and contaminants, ensuring reliable operation under various conditions, including high-temperature and high-humidity environments, while reducing odor emission and VOC generation, thus enhancing the durability and reliability of electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

which forms a transparent film through oxidative curing at room temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidative curing: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

an amount of about 0.05 to 0.45 wt % of a defoamer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDefoaming: Antifoam

Implementation Method 3

through drying at room temperature and oxidative curing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20240376341A1Epoxy coating composition for protection of electronic circuit boards and preparation method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.11.14 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an epoxy coating composition for protection of electronic circuit boards and a preparation method thereof to improve the reliability and durability of the electronic circuit board. The epoxy coating composition includes an amount of about 35 to 70 wt % of a modified epoxy resin including a fatty acid-acrylic epoxy resin, an amount of about 30 to 65 wt % of a first solvent, an amount of about 0.1 to 1.2 wt % of a metal catalyst, an amount of about 0.05 to 0.45 wt % of a defoamer, and an amount of about 0.1 to 0.5 wt % of a surface conditioner, based on the total weight of the epoxy coating composition. The fatty acid-acrylic epoxy resin is prepared by polymerizing a reactant that is obtained by a reaction between an epoxy resin mixture and an unsaturated fatty acid with an acrylic resin using a polymerization catalyst.