Ten tips for choosing the right lens coating - ZEISS

Coatings add the perfect finishing touch to your lenses. They turn your eyeglasses into a masterpiece of technology that will help you enjoy outstanding visual comfort. Lenses with the right prescription for your needs are not enough to guarantee optimum vision. BETTER VISION now has 10 useful tips on the subject of lens coatings – which ones are best for your requirements, and what aspects should you consider when buying your new glasses?

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Every lens surface reflects light – an inevitable fact of life that can often prove to be very irritating. But a remedy is at hand. A high-quality AR coating not only ensures that you look better by enhancing the visibility of your eyes, but it also eliminates most distracting reflections. AR coatings considerably facilitate night driving or reading. And anyone looking at you also benefits from an AR coating: as there are hardly any reflections on the front surface of the lens, they have an unhindered view of your eyes. A high-quality AR coating consists of various layers that interact to provide the optimum effect. In this way, reflections caused by light of various wavelengths and from different directions are minimized and reduce eye fatigue.

Tip: New lens coatings from ZEISS can now help you enjoy better vision. Thanks to its innovative technology, the DuraVision® Platinum coating reduces irritating reflections by an additional 20%.

These days, most customers opt for plastic lenses. However, these lenses are not as hard as lenses made of glass, and they are less resilient and more sensitive to scratching. Therefore, a special hard coating is definitely recommended to increase their durability. This makes the surface less sensitive to the scratches that can impair your vision.

The new ZEISS DuraVision® Platinum coating package is a combination of an anti-reflective coating and an extremely durable hard coat. This coating protects AR-coated plastic lenses by making them so hard that their performance equals or even surpasses that of glass lenses. Studies have shown that lenses coated with DuraVision® Platinum are up to three times harder than current generations of plastic lenses1!

Yes. Lenses featuring DuraVision® Platinum technology are made up of nine ultra-thin layers. These layers have four tasks to perform: first, the base material receives a hard coating, followed by various anti-reflective coatings and then finally by the Clean Coat layer. This topmost layer seals the lens and creates a perfectly smooth surface. As a result, dirt and moisture simply bead off the surface and the lenses stay clean longer. And when they do have to be cleaned, this can be done much more easily and conveniently.

Yes. First, lenses provided with these coatings display excellent anti-static properties, which means that they become dirty much less quickly and attract considerably less dust and debris. Second, the water- and oil-repellent layer ensures easy cleaning: the lenses can be conveniently cleaned with ZEISS lens wipes – or you can simply hold them under running, lukewarm water and shake off any remaining water droplets. As a rule, you do not even need to rub them with a microfiber cleaning cloth because liquids simply bead off the surface.

Please do not use your T-shirt, shirtsleeve or handkerchief to clean your lenses – tiny dirt particles could scratch the lenses. The result: goodbye clear vision! A large number of small scratches can cloud the surface of your lens. So, don't clean your lenses with articles of clothing, paper handkerchiefs, etc.

We recommend running, lukewarm water or

ZEISS cleaning spray and a microfibre lens cleaning cloth for day-to-day cleaning.  In between, you can use ZEISS lens wipes, which do not harm the coating. These wipes are packed individually, are ready at all times and have a lasting effect: they ensure both better vision and a longer lens life.

Yes, there are many! Dropping them, scratches resulting from improper handling, or subjecting them to excessively low or high temperatures can all damage your lenses. The heat generated in a car on a hot summer day, for instance, is also something to be avoided. The same applies to the sauna or putting them on the radiator at home: eyeglass lenses are simply not made for this kind of abuse. Frequently, wearers underestimate the danger posed by the dirt particles lurking on the lens itself or on the handkerchiefs and clothing used to clean it. This can all lead to scratching. A modern hard coating is the remedy to this problem: it makes your lenses more scratch-resistant and extends their service life.

AR coatings are very important for children – when they start school at the very latest. These coatings are very reasonably priced. Simply ask your eye care professional if you want to know more. And, of course, a hard coating is an absolute must for children's glasses. Only then can they stand up to the knocks and bumps of a child's everyday life. Important: you should choose an eye care professional who is used to dealing with the special needs of children. The right eye care professional will perform a complete, child-friendly examination of your son's or daughter's eyes to ensure that they receive precisely the glasses they need for their personal requirements.

Brown, green, gray – the colors normally associated with sunglass lenses aren't exactly exciting. And yet the world is a very colorful place! Depending on where they will be used, a subtle tint to your eyeglass lenses can enhance the quality of your vision, lift your spirits and create a unique, fashionable style. Names like "Spicy Red" and "Pretty Pink" say it all! Or maybe you want something more elegant? The high-end "Black tint" offers up to 95 percent light absorption and a series of different absorption levels designed to reflect contemporary styles. On request, your eye care professional can offer you lenses in all fashionable colors – with single, graduated and trendy bicolor tints. It's important to tell your eye care professional when you intend to wear your tinted lenses: for everyday use, as sunglasses or for special (sports) activities? Your eye care professional will be pleased to advise you.

Tinted lenses have many benefits: They not only provide a very personal touch, but also enhance your contrast perception, lift your spirits, reduce the glare caused by artificial light, help hide wrinkles and improve your overall visual comfort. However, they must also match your hairstyle, make-up and clothing. If you're not exactly a fan of loud colors, then pastel tints are just the thing for you. Tip: Your glasses should be matched to your hairstyle and the shape of your face first - and then to your clothing. Almost all tints are suitable for blond and dark hair. Pink and violet are perfect for redheads. And don't forget about your complexion – it's also very important. Vibrant colors are best for pale complexions.

Please also ensure that the tint of your lenses and frame doesn't go unnoticed due to overly dominant eye make-up. Eyeliner and mascara are excellent options, of course, to accentuate your eyes. Lipstick is definitely a must to ensure that your mouth and eyes are a perfect match. In this way, tinted lenses will give you precisely the look you want – whether exotic or elegant. The general rule is: the more conspicuous your glasses, the simpler your outfit should be. In other words, use jewelry and other accessories sparingly when you are wearing tinted lenses! Incidentally, you can order lenses in any color from your eye care professionals. Simply give them a color sample (like your favorite handbag) and they will order matching lenses. More info on the ZEISS color range…

Self-tinting lenses are ideal for many different situations in our everyday lives. If you wear prescription lenses and frequently move between indoor and outdoor situations in normal sunlight conditions, then you might benefit from switching to an alternative sun protection solution in the form of modern self-tinting lenses such as ZEISS PhotoFusion X. They react considerably faster to changing light than previous generations of self-tinting lenses, adapt to their darkest tint in sunshine and clear almost completely again in just a few seconds when you go back indoors. The speed of the clearing process is particularly important to ensure, for example, that you don't remain "in the dark" when you go into a shop from bright summer sunshine. PhotoFusion X lenses also guarantee 100% UV protection at all tint levels and offer exactly the same high standards of optical quality. ZEISS PhotoFusion X self-tinting lenses are available in all the lens colors and designs that people in the know will definitely be wearing this season, whether casual, stylish, elegant or for kids.  More information on the new self-tinting lenses from ZEISS...

Have you noticed yourself squinting even in moderately bright room lighting? Self-tinting lenses are also recommended for these situations. They adapt smoothly to whatever light conditions you experience and ensure relaxed, comfortable vision at all times.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the foundational building blocks of almost all modern electronic devices. They can be found almost anywhere, including in smartphones, cars, planes and in many other common applications. Because PCBs are essential to the operation of many electronic devices, they must be protected from any and all elements that could alter their functionality.  Many PCBs rely on conformal coatings to provide the high level of protection they need. 

This article will walk through how PCBs can be protected with conformal coating, the different types of conformal coatings and how to choose the best conformal coating for a PCB.

What is Conformal Coating for PCBs?

A conformal coating is a thin polymeric film applied to a PCB to protect the board and its components from the environment and corrosion. The film completely conforms to the shape of the PCB to protect all of the solder joints, leads of electronic components, exposed traces and any other areas that are vulnerable to corrosion.

Why do you need conformal coating? When a conformal coating is applied to a PCB, it extends and enhances its working life. Applying a conformal coating can allow for higher voltage gradients and closer track spacing, which enables designers to meet and exceed standards.  It is important that electronics are adequately protected from external elements that can cause device failure and lead to serious consequences. These elements may include moisture, salt spray, chemical exposure, temperature extremes, etc.

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For more special coatinginformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Types of Conformal Coating for PCBs and Their Pros and Cons

There are several types of conformal coatings available with different sets of properties and characteristics. Each coating type has varying strengths and weaknesses that should be considered when making your PCB coating selection.

Acrylic (AR)

Acrylic conformal coatings are the most popular type due to their ease of application and removal and their forgiving nature.

Pros

• Easily applied/removed
• Easy rework and repairs
• No shrinkage during the curing process
• Affordable

Cons

• Low chemical and solvent resistance
• Low abrasion resistance
• Struggles in harsh environments
• Not ideal for high-temperature applications

Epoxy Resin (ER)

Epoxy conformal coatings are typically available as a two-part compound that begins curing upon mixing. Single part coatings can be cured thermally or with UV exposure.

Pros

• Abrasion and moisture resistance
• Great chemical resistance
• Good humidity resistance
• Durability in harsh environments

Cons

• Hard to remove
• Shrinks during the curing process
• Soldering iron required for rework or repair

Silicone Resin (SR)

Silicone resin conformal coatings are single-component compounds that are typically applied to electronics that will be used in extreme temperature ranges.

Pros

• Good in extreme temperatures
• Excellent humidity and corrosion resistance
• Good chemical resistance
• Adheres to most PCB components/materials

Cons

• Very difficult to remove
• Requires strong chemical strippers and harsh abrasion for removal
• Localized repairs only

Parylene (XY)

Parylene conformal coatings are applied in a vapor deposition process. Because the coating is applied as a gas, Parylene penetrates crevices and under components, providing ultra-thin, perfectly conformal protection.

Pros

• Best solvent and extreme temperature resistance
• Transparent and colorless
• Applied at room temperature and does not require curing time
• High dielectric strength

Cons

• Hard to remove and must be abraded off
• Not ideal for long-term outdoor exposure
• Special equipment needed for application

Considerations for Selecting PCB Conformal Coating Material

What is the best conformal coating for your PCBs? With numerous conformal coating types available, it is important to find the one that will withstand the challenges your PCB will face and best aligns with your needs. The top three factors to consider when selecting a conformal coating are product use, temperature range and environmental factors.

Product Use

The most critical factor to take into consideration is the intended use of your product. It is key to compare the pros and cons of each of the different coating types based on the product end use.

For example, a PCB going into a product that will be exposed to water needs protection against extreme moisture exposure. Based on the characteristics of all the conformal coatings, Parylene conformal coating may be the best option. Parylene is known for its moisture protection, including IPX7 and IPX8 waterproof protection.

Temperature Range

When determining the type of coating for your product, you should have a clear understanding of the minimum and maximum temperatures it will be exposed to. Temperature ranges are an extremely important factor to take into account. If a PCB is not coated to withstand the appropriate temperature range, it can result in damage to the PCB or failure. 

For example, temperature extremes are an essential consideration for PCBs used in aerospace applications. Aircraft can see extreme temperature ranging from -65°C (-85°F) in the air to over 100°C (212°F) on the runway. Silicone is the only conformal coating that can handle extended use at this range.

Environmental Factors

There are numerous environmental factors that can impact the performance of a PCB. Understanding what your product will be exposed to will help determine the best conformal coating for your PCBs. For example, the only environmental factors that would need taken into consideration in an application where a PCB is placed in a partially-sealed protective housing are condensation and humidity. Below are some other common environmental factors that should be considered:

• Extreme humidity
• Salt-spray environments
• Corrosive gasses
• Immersion environments 

Specialty Coating Systems’ Conformal Coating Services

SCS provides multiple industry-leading conformal coatings and will work with you each step of the way to determine the best coating for your PCB. With 50 years of experience in engineering and applications, SCS is a world leader in conformal coating services and technologies. A direct descendant of the companies that originally developed Parylene, we leverage expertise on every project – from initial planning to process application.

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