Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design SMT Electronics Assembly Manufacturing Forum

Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design Forum

SMT electronics assembly manufacturing forum.


Masking tape

Views: 5870

#57849

Masking tape | 22 January, 2009

What masking tape can people recommend for masking the board when conformal coating. I am using a PVA autocoat machine and humiseal 1B31. Current tape, is leaving residue on board when used to hold link wires down whilst glue cures and also when used to mask is causig dewetting.

Hence I need a tape that will not cause dewetting and is esd.

All suggestions welcome!

reply »

#57852

Masking tape | 22 January, 2009

We use green painters masking tape. Comes off easy and doesn't leave a residue. The blue colored masking tape works well also but tears too easily. Ours runs through and IR oven to cure the coating after it runs in our PVA650 and we have not seen and trouble associated with using masking tape.

reply »

#57861

Masking tape | 22 January, 2009

Conformal coating masking: Electronic equipment manufacturer's use conformal coating processes to protect printed circuit modules from moisture, fumes, rapid temperature changes and other environmental conditions. Typically, pressure sensitive tapes are used to mask areas on the board where no conformal coating is to be applied. [Advanced Technology Supply; 174 Semoran Commerce Pl, Unit 120, Apopka, FL 32703; 800-793-6307 F407-880-3338 service@ats24.com] Important Considerations When Selecting A Tape Mask � You definitely do not want to spend time on the tedious task of trying to remove adhesive residue with razor blades and Q-tips when you pull the tape off. Make sure the tape backing is first primed to guarantee that the adhesive adheres to the backing and does not remain on the board when the tape is removed. � Even if your masking tape leaves no residue, if it has a release coat on the non-adhesive side you will encounter flaking of the conformal coating at the bond line when the tape is removed. Usually this means reworking the board. � Consider that your application may require low static generation when applying the tape to the board. � Conformal coating masking tapes may employ paper, polyester or polyimide backings. Ninety five percent of conformal coating demands a masking tape that gives strength, stability, conformability, and is cost effective. � Paper backings are usually not strong enough to remove without shredding in most applications, and polyimide backings are not cost effective, usually an overkill for this application. Polyester tapes typically feature the best combination of cost and performance for this application.

We have no relationship, nor receive benefit from the company referenced above.

reply »

#57863

Masking tape | 22 January, 2009

Brian: Does green painters tape present ESD issues? What does your field meter show?

reply »

#58213

Masking tape | 26 February, 2009

We use tape and dots from Advanced Technology Supply. Website - http://www.ats24.com

reply »


sny

#58276

Masking tape | 5 March, 2009

i have been looking for masking tape as well. I just came across esdtapes.com and got a sample of one of there tapes "CM300." I tested a component by taping it completely off and submerging it in water, just to see if it will soak through.

The results: Came out good, no residue and no wetting. Now i have to test on a larger scale.

reply »


MGL

#58279

Masking tape | 5 March, 2009

The dewetting is caused by using a silcone based adhesive. Select a tape that is acrylic based. Tapes are a high esd generator. Always use an ionizer.

reply »

Circuit Board, PCB Assembly & electronics manufacturing service provider

SMT Feeders