Below I describe our ongoing research at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center into the effectiveness of (Polyurethane) conformal coat to reduce the threat from metal whisker induced electrical shorting. In December 2007 I presented an update of our ongoing examination of Arathane 5750 (formerly Uralane 5750) conformal coat vs. tin whiskers as part of a larger presentation on metal whiskers. "Metal Whiskers: Failure Modes & Mitigation Strategies", J. Brusse, H. Leidecker, L. Panashchenko, MRQW, Dec. 2007 http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2007-brusse-metal-whiskers.pdf <https://mail01.ndc.nasa.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2007-brusse-metal-whiskers.pdf> Slides 16 thru 29 encompass a good discussion of our observations after 9 years of monitoring profuse whisker forming test articles that were selectively conformal coated to evaluate the effectiveness of the coating to inhibit growth and/or escape outward through the coating. The experiment described in this recent presentation is a continuation of Leidecker and Kadesch's report from 2000. Capsulizing our research: - Dec. 1998 - we procured tin-plated brass coupons as whisker growing test vehicles. - Within 1 week of plating: applied Uralane 5750 conformal coat to ½ of top side of each coupon (nominal 2 mils thickness) - Tin nodules and whiskers began to grow on the coupons within the first few months. - We stored coupons in lab ambient conditions as well as at 50C - In 2000, Leidecker/Kadesch published observations - Conformal coat did NOT stop whiskers from forming - HOWEVER, 2 mils of this particular polyurethane was effectively stopping outward escape of whiskers growing beneath the coating. - Whiskers were able to push through THIN areas of our coating - After 9 years of watching our samples - We have profuse density of whiskers growing on the NON-conformally coated control areas. - Where the coating is nominal 2 mils thick we find ZERO whiskers growing outward through the coating. Instead the whiskers lift the 2 mils of coating slightly in the shape of a dome (e.g., circus tent lifted by a single pole/whisker), but fail to completely penetrate. Instead, we believe the whiskers crumple/buckle before penetration - Where the coating is THIN (i.e., <0.2 mils) the whiskers CAN escape outward through the coating. (See slides discussing Euler Buckling strength of the whiskers --> buckling strength decreases as inverse square of whisker length) - We believe having conformal coat on adjacent conductors is a God-send against whisker induced shorting. - Shorting distances in MOST (not all) circuits is usually large enough such that the buckling strength of a whisker capable of bridging that gap is so low that the whiskers will not be able to RE-ENTER the distant coated surface to make a physical short. However, be cognizant of dielectric breakdown of the thin coating in the event your circuits use high voltage. Direct physical contact may not be necessary to cause harm in such cases. - Any detached (loose) whiskers or other conductive debris will not present a shorting hazard for properly conformal coated surfaces. Once detached the whiskers do NOT continue to grow - Warning: Conformal coating processes often suffer from incomplete coating. For example, shadowing effects during spray application, thinning of the coating from surface tension and other forces during curing can leave you with "less coverage" than the process documentation tells you that you have. Good idea to INSPECT and verify YOUR coating processes ability to coat all areas of interest to you. - There is a low but non-zero risk of electrical shorting from one whisker to another whisker if they are growing from surfaces at different electrical potentials - Electrostatic attraction can impose a "come hither" force bending whiskers towards surfaces at different electrical potential. We do not think this electrostatic force has an appreciable effect on whether or not whiskers will grow nor how fast. Tom Woodrow at Boeing has published work on conformal coat vs. whiskers using a variety of different coatings. His results show whisker escapes outward for certain coatings acrylics, silicones ESPECIALLY when stored in VERY HUMID CONDITIONS. However, despite some escapes, the coatings are still blocking MANY MANY whiskers and providing a benefit. You may read his work directly: "Evaluation of Conformal Coatings as a Tin Whisker Mitigation Strategy, Part 2" <https://mail01.ndc.nasa.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2006-Woodrow-Conformal-Coating-PartII.pdf> , T. Woodrow, SMTAI, Sept. 2006 http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2006-Woodrow-Conformal-Coating-PartII.pdf <https://mail01.ndc.nasa.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2006-Woodrow-Conformal-Coating-PartII.pdf> T. Woodrow, "Evaluation of Conformal Coatings as a Tin Whisker Mitigation Strategy", IPC/JEDEC 8th International Conference on Pb-Free Electronic Components and Assemblies, San Jose, CA, April 18-20, 2005 http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2005-woodrow-tin-whisker-conformal-coat-study.pdf http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2005-Woodrow-tin-whisker-conformal-coat-presentation.pdf <https://mail01.ndc.nasa.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2005-Woodrow-tin-whisker-conformal-coat-presentation.pdf> Sincerely, Jay Brusse Sr. Components Engineer Perot Systems at NASA Goddard Jay.A.Brusse@xxxxxxxx