For many projects involving parylene conformal coating, it's the end result you're most interested in--for example, a biocompatible medical device or a circuit board protected against the extreme conditions of outer space. However, before any of this is possible, you'll need to take several steps back to spend ample time on the deposition and coating process. That's where GALXYL Dimer becomes particularly noteworthy.
What is GALXYL Dimer?
Parylene coatings are produced by the raw material called dimer--which means this is essentially the first "ingredient" in your completed parylene project. For best results, many people choose a particular kind of this raw material: GALXYL Dimer.
The main purpose of GALXYL Dimer is to create a thin but sturdy parylene coating. Protection and insulation are among the most important goal of the specialized deposition process; the coating must also be capable of adhering to a variety of substrate materials, angles, gaps, and divots. These things are all made possible through the utilization of GALXYL Dimer starting at deposition.
The vapor deposition process occurs at a molecular level. GALXYL dimer is vaporized under vacuum at 150-170°C. The resulting vapor moves through a higher-temperature zone--up to 680°C--and becomes a monomer vapor. These molecules enter the deposition chamber, where the substrate waits at ambient temperature and the reactive monomer is condensed. Tightly packed molecules also lead to polymerization. This process creates a polymer that is both linear and crystalline, enabling a high level of accuracy and complete coverage of the substrate surface--even when crevices and pores are present. The result is a reliable coating of uniform thickness.
GALXYL Dimer comes in two commercial parylene variants: dimer C and dimer N. When created with GALXYL Dimer C, the resultant parylene coatings are MIL-I-46058C and IPC-CC-830 approved. Both dimer types also have a USP XXII, Class VI biocompatibility rating. For these reasons (and many others), GALXYL Dimer is the preferred dimer for electronic, medical, military, and defense applications.
Why GALXYL Dimer Might Be Right for Your Parylene Project
There are many benefits of using GALXYL Dimer--and many benefits of using parylene itself. Here's a closer look at why you might choose this dimer and the resulting parylene coating for your next project:
Thermal stability
Many parylene applications require the coating to withstand both high and low temperature extremes--for example, the severe conditions in space. Similarly, some environments--including aerospace--lack oxygen, which makes it even more critical for the coating to survive in complex conditions. Parylene created with GALXYL Dimer has thermal stability up to 275°C in the absence of oxygen.
Uniform thickness
Due to the unique deposition process, GALXYL Dimer parylene offers uniform thickness across the entire surface of the substrate material. These can range from 0.01 to 100 microns--considered "ultra-thin." This is important for many parylene projects where the coating must not interfere with moving parts or other connected elements.
Furthermore, the thin coating remains consistent across edges, dips, and angles. That means there's no pooling or edge-effects to interrupt functionality.
Low permeability
GALXYL Dimer has an unrivaled barrier effect. As such, it has low permeability to gases and moisture, which means it's highly reliable in extreme conditions. For example, GALXYL Dimer parylene can protect a circuit board from dampness or liquid that might interfere with electrical currents or otherwise impact the board's performance.
High reliability
Parylene created with GALXYL Dimer isn't just resistant to growths like fungus and bacteria. It also has high mechanical and dielectric strength, making it a particularly reliable choice for projects where performance is key.
Conclusion
Although there are many ways to approach parylene coating, GALXYL Dimer is among the best choices. The unique vapor deposition process and long list of benefits make this dimer a great way to get even more out of parylene coating.
If you want to learn more about GALXYL Dimer, parylene, or how to use them in your next project, contact us today.
