Surface treatments and finishes
If a printed circuit board (PCB) is being used in a damp environment, such as outside or in a fridge, it is important to protect it. Shiny vanish used to polish a surface. is a thin A polymer is a large molecule formed from many identical smaller molecules (monomers). Polymers can be natural or synthetic. Plastics are long chains of polymers. film that is sprayed or painted onto the PCB and components and this protects it against moisture as well as dust, chemicals and temperature fluctuations.
Many mechanical systems work by moving parts together - this creates friction that, over time, Where an item is damaged by a rubbing motion. the product out. Oiling or reducing friction. A lubricant is anything which reduces the friction between two surfaces. is added to allow parts to slide past each other without causing friction and this slows down wear. For example, oil is used as a lubricant for bicycle chains to improve the performance of the bicycle.
Outer A removable outer layer of a product. of electronic and mechanical products can have surface treatments added.
- Coated with a protective oxide layer by a chemical or electrolytic process. metal gives a coloured protective surface to a metal and is most successfully used on aluminium
- paint can be sprayed on or Heated metal is dipped into powdered or a liquid polymer so that a coating of the polymer is bonded to the metal. to give a protective and How something looks. covering
- flat surfaces can be A printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer the inks onto a material, except in areas where blocking stencil is positioned to stop the ink. with pictures and patterns that decorate and protect products
