Dymax 9771 is drawing interest across the aerospace and defense sectors for its ability to protect mission-critical electronics in harsh environments.
With certifications including MIL-I-46058C and a NASA MAPTIS listing, the conformal coating supports applications ranging from satellites to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
In this Q&A, Virginia Hogan, Business Development Sr. Manager for Aerospace & Energy at Dymax, details how its light- and moisture-curing capabilities deliver consistent performance, complete coverage, and manufacturing efficiency for high-density electronic assemblies.
Why is Dymax 9771 drawing attention from the aerospace and defense electronics sectors?
Dymax 9771 is designed to meet the requirements of high-reliability electronics used in satellites, guided missiles, UAVs, and autonomous defense systems. It features MIL-I-46058C certification, is listed in NASA’s MAPTIS materials database (ID #09841), and complies with MIL-STD-883 Method 5011 and NASA’s ASTM E595 low outgassing standards.
These recognitions are significant for engineers who must select materials with proven performance under mechanical, thermal, and vacuum-related stress conditions.
How does the light-curing mechanism differ from conventional curing systems?
Traditional conformal coatings often rely on solvent evaporation prior to thermal curing, which increases process time and can introduce variability. Dymax 9771 uses UV/Visible light to initiate crosslinking, curing in seconds. Light-curing enables faster processing, tighter control over cure parameters, and consistent coating performance.
Additionally, because the coating contains no added solvents, it avoids emission control challenges and reduces risks related to solvent entrapment or reflow. These features are particularly relevant for missile electronics, space-qualified hardware, and systems that require tight process validation.
What protection mechanisms does 9771 provide for electronics in aerospace and unmanned environments?
The coating provides electrical insulation and a physical barrier, limiting exposure to moisture, dust, corrosive agents, and thermal cycling. It also maintains adhesion under vibration and thermal stress, which is essential for high-altitude and mobile platforms.
The dual-cure mechanism—a primary UV/Visible light cure and secondary ambient moisture cure—ensures polymerization in areas shadowed from light, such as under components or within densely packed boards. Dual-cure is important for ensuring coverage uniformity in multi-layer or high-density PCBAs used in space, missile, and UAV applications.
What do MIL-I-46058C certification and NASA MAPTIS listing signify from a qualification standpoint?
MIL-I-46058C certification verifies the coating meets specific requirements for dielectric strength, resistance to humidity and corrosion, thermal endurance, and mechanical flexibility. These metrics are standard references in defense and aerospace procurement.
Additionally, Dymax 9771 is listed in NASA’s MAPTIS database (ID #09841), which confirms that it has passed the ASTM E595 criteria for Total Mass Loss (TML) and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials (CVCM). This is critical for applications in vacuum environments where volatile condensation can impair optical surfaces or sensitive components. MAPTIS listing streamlines material selection for flight hardware, ensuring traceability.
What manufacturing and compliance advantages does 9771 offer?
The coating is a one-component system, eliminating the need for mixing or purging. It cures in seconds under UV/visible light, and the dual-cure feature ensures completeness of cure even in occluded areas. It’s halogen-free, RoHS2 and REACH compliant, and contains no added solvents, which supports both environmental and operator safety requirements.
A built-in fluorescent tracer enables inspection via black light, allowing manufacturers to verify uniform coverage before final assembly or deployment. These features contribute to process efficiency and reduced defect risk in both volume production and low-rate, high-criticality builds.
Dymax 9771 is engineered to meet the technical and regulatory requirements of aerospace, defense, and unmanned electronics programs. Its light- and moisture-curing mechanism supports process efficiency and complete coverage, while MIL-I-46058C certification and NASA MAPTIS listing confirm its suitability for high-reliability and space-rated applications.
The product enables consistent protection of circuit assemblies where environmental exposure, mechanical stress, and vacuum compatibility are primary design constraints.
