# Conformal Coating Types Reference: AR, ER, SR, UR, XY > Source: https://netray.co/tools/ipc-cc-830-conformal-coating-type-reference > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer A comparison table of conformal coating families (acrylic, epoxy, silicone, urethane, parylene) with typical traits and rework notes. ## Category electronics ## Industry Defense Electronics ## Audience - Process engineer - Materials engineer - Quality engineer ## Tool **Kind:** worksheet **Mode:** reference **Columns:** #### Type code **Key:** code **Type:** text #### Chemistry **Key:** family **Type:** text #### Typical application **Key:** applied **Type:** text #### Typical strengths **Key:** strength **Type:** text #### Typical limits **Key:** limit **Type:** text #### Rework **Key:** rework **Type:** text **Rows:** **Code:** AR **Family:** Acrylic **Applied:** Spray, dip, brush **Strength:** Easy to apply, good moisture resistance, low cost **Limit:** Limited solvent and abrasion resistance **Rework:** Easiest: dissolves in common solvents, soldering through the film is common **Code:** ER **Family:** Epoxy **Applied:** Spray, dip, brush (often two-part) **Strength:** Hard film, good chemical and abrasion resistance **Limit:** Stresses components in thermal cycling, difficult to remove **Rework:** Hard: usually needs mechanical or aggressive chemical removal **Code:** SR **Family:** Silicone **Applied:** Spray, dip, brush **Strength:** Wide temperature range, flexible, good in humidity **Limit:** Softer film, poor solvent resistance, can contaminate other processes **Rework:** Moderate: specialised removers or mechanical removal **Code:** UR **Family:** Urethane **Applied:** Spray, dip, brush **Strength:** Good chemical and abrasion resistance, good moisture barrier **Limit:** Can be hard to remove, some types sensitive to moisture during cure **Rework:** Moderate to hard: chemical strippers or solder through for thin films **Code:** XY **Family:** Paraxylylene (parylene) **Applied:** Vacuum vapor deposition **Strength:** Very thin, uniform, pinhole-free film, excellent barrier **Limit:** Needs special equipment and masking, higher cost **Rework:** Hard: usually micro-abrasion, laser or plasma methods **Code:** Standard **Family:** IPC-CC-830 **Applied:** Qualification and performance of electrical insulating compound for printed wiring assemblies **Strength:** Defines type codes AR, ER, SR, UR, XY **Limit:** Not an application standard **Code:** Standard **Family:** IPC-A-610 (conformal coating section) **Applied:** Acceptance criteria for coverage and thickness **Strength:** Used for inspection **Limit:** Check your class **Code:** Standard **Family:** IPC-HDBK-830 **Applied:** Guidelines for design, selection and application of conformal coating **Strength:** Handbook for process engineers **Limit:** Guidance rather than requirements **Code:** Inspection **Family:** UV tracer **Applied:** Many coatings contain a UV tracer for inspection **Strength:** Lets inspectors see coverage under UV light **Limit:** Does not measure thickness **Code:** Thickness **Family:** Acrylic, epoxy, urethane **Applied:** Commonly specified as a range in micrometers **Strength:** Per IPC-CC-830 and the drawing **Limit:** Measure wet film or cured film per method **Code:** Masking **Family:** Connectors, test points, heat sinks **Applied:** Keep out of connectors and mating surfaces **Strength:** Defined by the drawing **Limit:** Check before application **Notes:** Traits are general trends, not data sheet values, and actual products within a family differ. Defense programs often require a coating on a Qualified Products List or a specific coating called out by drawing. Always follow the drawing, the supplier data sheet and the customer specification. ## Content **Intro:** Choosing a conformal coating means trading barrier performance against rework effort and process cost. This table lists the five IPC-CC-830 type codes with typical strengths, limits and rework difficulty, so you can discuss options with a coating supplier or write a clear drawing note. **Sections:** #### How to use the table **Body:** Search for a chemistry, such as silicone or parylene, or for a word like rework. Compare the rows against your environment. A deployed radio in a humid, wide-temperature setting may favor silicone or parylene, while a lab unit may be fine with acrylic. The table is a conversation starter, and the actual product must be qualified for your assembly and your customer. Export the comparison to attach to a design review. #### Selection factors **Body:** Think about service temperature range, humidity or salt exposure, chemical contact, vibration, repair needs and the cure or application method available at your facility. Hard coatings can add stress to fragile parts through thermal cycling, while soft ones may give little abrasion protection. Defense electronics often need repair and rework late in the build, which pushes many teams to acrylic or to careful masking. Parylene gives excellent protection but needs a specialist vendor. **Bullets:** - Match the coating to the environment in the test plan - Verify compatibility with fluxes, cleaners and adhesives - Define keep-out areas on the drawing - Specify inspection under UV and thickness method #### Common mistakes **Body:** Frequent problems include coating over residues that were never cleaned, which causes delamination and electrochemical migration, and using the wrong film thickness. Another mistake is skipping a masking plan, which leads to coated connectors. Keep a coating record for each lot with material lot, cure profile and inspector, so that field returns can be traced. Coatings qualified to IPC-CC-830 prove the material, not your application process. **Cta:** Netray can help link coating batches and process records to serial numbers in your ERP. Ask us when you want that kept on your own servers. **Faq:** #### What do AR, ER, SR, UR and XY stand for? **Answer:** They are IPC-CC-830 type codes: AR for acrylic, ER for epoxy, SR for silicone, UR for urethane and XY for paraxylylene, commonly called parylene. The standard qualifies the materials by type. #### Which coating is easiest to rework? **Answer:** Acrylic is generally the easiest because it dissolves in common solvents and can often be soldered through. Epoxy and parylene are the hardest to remove. Real products vary, so check the supplier's removal guidance. #### Is parylene always the best choice? **Answer:** Not always. It gives a thin, uniform barrier but needs vacuum deposition equipment, careful masking and often an outside vendor. For many assemblies a spray-applied coating is enough and cheaper to process and repair. #### Does this table replace the standard? **Answer:** No. It summarizes general characteristics. IPC-CC-830 and IPC-HDBK-830 are the references, and your drawing and customer specification decide the approved material and the acceptance criteria. ## Search terms conformal coating types, ipc-cc-830 types ar er sr ur xy, acrylic vs silicone vs urethane conformal coating, parylene conformal coating properties, conformal coating comparison table, conformal coating rework, qualified products list conformal coating --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json