Stoneridge Electronics is one of the leading subcontractors in the heavy vehicle industry. When Sweden introduced new regulations against harmful varnishes, Stoneridge was one of many companies that had to start looking for a better work environment and environmental alternative. Tribotec's silicone-based varnish TSE 3991 CU won by far.
Stoneridge Electronics has long been one of the leading subcontractors in the heavy vehicle industry. They manufacture dashboards for trucks and buses, for customers such as Mercedes, Volvo Trucks, Scania etc. During the mid-1990s, new laws were introduced in Sweden that regulated how much solvent an individual company could use and release into nature. Stoneridge Electronics in Örebro had for several years used a solvent-based circuit board varnish with good performance in its production. Because the production volumes were large, a lot of varnish was also required, and then the emissions of solvents became high. Even too high, thought the Environmental Office in Örebro, which put a lot of pressure on Stoneridge to switch to a more environmentally friendly circuit board varnish.
Several varnishes are tested
A long and large project was started to find alternative circuit board coatings. It was not easy, because the requirements for protection were high while the environmental stress had to be minimized. In total, during 1999-2002, Stoneridge Electronics tested four alternative paints, both internally and at external test institutes with so-called blind tests so that the results would be as objective as possible. Tribotec had at this time introduced the silicone lacquer TSE 3991 CU on the Swedish market, and Stoneridge became interested in testing this. TSE 3991 CU is completely solvent free while the technical data provided was very promising. Among other things, the surface insulation resistance was very high, and the paint hardened at room temperature in a relatively short time.
Tribotec's winning solution also proved to save time
After three years of careful research, the TSE 3991 CU was chosen as the best option, thanks, among other things, to superior protection against condensed moisture. This was important because a truck can be left standing for long periods in high humidity. In the same vein, it was found that a slow and expensive washing process of the circuit boards could be completely removed from the production line with the new varnish. Unlike the previous varnish, TSE 3991 CU showed perfect adhesion even without washing.
Do you want to know more?
Contact; Tuomas Ollilainen, 0705-28 28 79
Product manager for silicone, Tribotec
