Moisture dramatically reduces the performance and reliability of sophisticated electronic exposed to hostile environments. The key parameter that determines the level of relative humidity of the air is the Dew Point. When the ambient temperature decreases to the Dew Point temperature, the relative humidity hits 100 % and the air is saturated. Formation of condensation is the direct consequence of this process and the water formed by the condensation of the water vapour present in the air will, in turn, deposit on the surfaces.
Although the majority of the electronics is protected by enclosures or other water-proof containers, moist air can penetrate into the cabinet and water may deposit on circuit boards determining a significant cause of failure.
Condensation on the board produces dramatic effects on all the elements that are part of the electrical circuit. Surface moisture leads to formation of corrosion of tracks and pads, which in turn will increase the electrical resistance and reduce the performance of the electrical component. A more unpleasant possibility involves the growth of metal dendrites or metal filaments on the board surface, which, passing through tracks and pads, can cause short circuits and ultimate failure of the PCB.
Conformal coatings, currently used to protect electronics from the external environment are expensive and not suitable under conditions of high humidity. The impossibility to use desiccant bags for this scope together with the necessity to reduce the risk of desiccant dust contamination, make the Moisture Adsorbing Board the appropriate solution to this problem.
The Moisture Adsorbing Board is a sheet-form desiccant agent, available in a standard 295mm x 205mm x 1.6mm and A4 sheet size, which protects the components from moisture and acts as physical barrier between the PCB and the external environment.
Numerous variations on the shape and size of moisture control products are required to address different needs. As a consequence, designing different prototypes may turn to be relatively expensive. However, the Board can be cut, shaped and punched according to the user`s specific needs.
The main benefit is represented by the adaptability of the Moisture Adsorbing Board; hence its ability to offer adequate protection in those situations in which conventional desiccant bags cannot be employed.