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DCA
Modified Alkyd Conformal Coating (SCC3)
DCA is a flexible, transparent and unique modified alkyd conformal coating specifically designed for the
protection of electronic circuitry. It has been formulated to meet the highest defence standards in both Europe
and the United States. It holds approvals including the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) DEF-STAN 59/47
Issue 4, and Underwriters Laboratories UL746E-QMJU2.

Can be cured at ambient or elevated temperatures; optimum properties achieved by heat curing
Heat-cured coating is resistant to many solvents used within aerospace and automotive industries
Suitable for use at temperature extremes; very wide operating temperature range
Can be reworked using specialist removal product, Electrolube CCRG

Approvals RoHS-2 Compliant (2011/65/EU): Yes

UL746E-QMJU2: Approved File Number: E138403
DEF-STAN 59/47 (Issue 4): Yes
IPC-CC-830: Meets approval
NATO Stock Numbers: 6850996642823 (DCA05L)
6850992530057 (DCA200H)

Liquid Properties Appearance: Clear Pale Straw

Density @ 20C (g/ml): 0.97 (Bulk), 0.78 (Aerosol)
VOC Content: 63% (Bulk) 73% (Aerosol)
Flash Point: 27C (Bulk), <23C (Aerosol)
Solids content: 37% (Bulk), 27% (Aerosol)
Viscosity @ 20C (mPa s): 180 - 250 (Bulk)
Touch Dry: 50 - 55 minutes
Recommended Curing Schedule*: 2 Hours @ 20C followed by:
2 - 24 Hours @ 90C to 120C
*(Maximum Solvent Resistance Achieved @ 120C; Ambient Curing Schedule: 24 Hours @ 20-25C)
Coverage @ 25 m: 14.8m per litre (Bulk), 2.16m (200ml Aerosol)

Cured Film Coating Colour: Colourless

Operating Temperature Range: -70C to +200C
Flammability: UL94 V-1
Thermal Cycling (IPC-CC-830): Meets approval
Coefficient of Expansion: 90ppm
Dielectric Strength: 90 kV/mm
Dielectric Constant: 3.95 @ 1 MHz
15
Insulation Resistance: 1 x 10 Ohm (DEF-STAN 59/47)
Dissipation Factor (@1 MHz, 25C): 0.037
Moisture Resistance (IPC-CC-830): Meets approval
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Description Packaging Order Code Shelf Life

DCA Conformal Coating 200ml Aerosol DCA200ML 36 Months

1 Litre Bulk DCA01L 48 Months
5 Litre Bulk DCA05L 48 Months

Conformal Coating Thinners 1 Litre DCT01L 36 Months

5 Litre Bulk DCT05L 36 Months

Conformal Coating Removal Gel 1 Litre Bulk CCRG01L 36 Months

Directions for Use

DCA can be sprayed, dipped or brushed. The thickness of the coating depends on the method of application
(typically 25-75 microns). Temperatures of less than 16C or relative humidity in excess of 75% are unsuitable
for the application of DCA. As is the case for all solvent based conformal coatings, adequate extraction should
be used (refer to MSDS for further information).

Substrates should be thoroughly cleaned before coating. This is required to ensure that satisfactory adhesion to
the substrate is achieved. Also, all flux residues must be removed as they may become corrosive if left on the
PCB. Electrolube manufacture a range of cleaning products using both hydrocarbon solvent and aqueous
technology. Electrolube cleaning products produce results within Military specification.

Spraying Bulk

DCA needs to be diluted with the appropriate thinners (DCT) before spraying. The optimum viscosity to give
coating quality and thickness depends on the spray equipment and conditions, but normally a dilution ratio of
2:1 (DCA:DCT) is required. Suitable spray viscosity is typically 50-80mPa s. If bulk coating material has been
agitated, allow to stand until air bubbles have dispersed. DCA is suitable both for use in manual spray guns and
selective coating equipment.
The selected nozzle should enable a suitable even spray to be applied in addition to suiting the prevailing
viscosity. The normal spray gun pressure required is 274 to 413 kPa (40 - 60 lbs/sq.inch). After spraying, the
boards should be placed in an air-circulating drying cabinet following the curing schedule highlighted on page
4/5.
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Viscosity Change with Temperature - DCA

250

200
Viscosity (mPa s)

150

100

50

0
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Temperature (C)

Viscosity Chart - DCA:DCT

250

200
Viscosity (mPa s)

150

100

50

0
1:0 20:1 10:1 5:1 2:1 1:1 1:1.5 1:2 1:2.5 1:3

Mix Ratio - DCA:DCT

Spraying - Aerosol

When applying DCA in aerosol form care must be taken to ensure the can is not shaken before use. Shaking
the can will introduce excessive air bubbles and will give a poor coating finish.
The can should be held at 45, and 200mm from the substrate to be coated. The valve should then be
depressed when the can is pointing slightly off target and moved at about 100mm/s across the target. To ensure
the best coating results are achieved try to use a smooth sweeping motion with small overlap for successive
rows.
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To ensure penetration of the coating beneath the components and in confined spaces, spray the assembly from
all directions to give an even coating. After spraying, the boards should be placed in an air-circulating drying
cabinet following the curing schedule highlighted on page 4/5.

Dip Coating

Ensure that the coating material in the container has been agitated thoroughly and has been allowed to stand
for at least 2 hours for all the air bubbles to disperse.

Conformal Coating Thinners (DCT) should be used to keep the DCA coating at a suitable viscosity for dipping
(180 250mPa s @ 20C). DCT is added periodically as the solvent evaporates. The viscosity should be
checked using a viscosity meter or "flow cup". The board assemblies should be immersed in the DCA dipping
tank in the vertical position, or at an angle as close to the vertical as possible. Connectors should not be
immersed in the liquid unless they are very carefully masked. Electrolube Peelable Coating Masks (PCM/PCS)
are ideal for this application.

Leave submerged for approximately 10 seconds until the air bubbles have dispersed. The board or boards
should then be withdrawn slowly (1 to 2s/mm) so that an even film covers the surface. After withdrawing, the
boards should be left to drain over the tank or drip tray until the majority of residual coating has left the surface.
After the draining operation is complete, the boards should be placed in an air-circulating drying cabinet
following the curing schedule (shown below).

Brushing

Ensure that the coating material has been agitated thoroughly and has been allowed to settle for at least 2
hours. The coating should be kept at ambient temperature.

When the brushing operation is complete, the boards should be placed in an air-circulating drying cabinet
following the curing schedule (shown below).

Drying Times and Curing Conditions

The properties gained from DCA are dependent on the curing schedule employed. It is essential that the
coating be allowed a minimum of two hours drying time at ambient temperature prior to any heat curing. This is
necessary to allow the solvent system to evaporate.

Ambient Ambient curing is via solvent evaporation only. Eliminating the heat curing step will reduce
solvent resistance. Other properties, such as resistance to humid and corrosive environments,
may also reduce but still meet the requirements of many industry standards. Coated boards
should be left at room temperature for the solvent to evaporate; extraction is required in the
curing area.
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Commercial Most commercial users will gain satisfactory performance from this coating by curing for two
hours at 90C after the two-hour ambient cure. This will give limited resistance to solvents.

Military If the assemblies are to be used under conditions of high temperature or be exposed to
extremes of thermal cycling, the coating should be cured for 12 hours at ambient followed by 24
hours at 90C. For maximum solvent resistance cure at 2 hours at ambient following by 24
hours @ 120C. This curing schedule will give resistance to the more aggressive solvents.

It is recommended that the coating be thoroughly cured on circuits, which have design areas of very high
impedance that require adjustment after application.

Inspection

DCA contains a UV trace, which allows inspection of the PCB after coating to ensure complete and even
coverage; the stronger the reflected UV light, the thicker the coating layer is. UV light in the region of 375nm
should be used for inspection.

Revision 4: Oct 2017