What is Masking?
Masking is the process of applying a protective layer to a PCB’s electronic components. There are several different types of masking, but the most common forms include shields, tapes, and fluid or gel-based solutions. Fluid and gel-based solutions are one of the most flexible options available as they do not come in pre-designed shapes.
When to Use Masking
Printed circuit boards have connectors, test sites, and pins where electrical continuity needs to be maintained, which means conformal coating cannot be applied to those specific points. There are also other points of a board that needs to be masked, such as unsealed components (like relays or open inductors), through holes, and even LED surfaces where light output may be impacted by the coating.
Benefits of Masking
- Fluid and gel-based options are able to be applied to almost any component
- Permanent or temporary depending on your solution’s needs
- Automated or manual process depending on your throughput
