NeverWet: Appropriate for electronics?

Question

The NeverWet superhydrophobic spray is becoming available to consumers.

Are materials like this suitable for protecting circuit boards that may be exposed to water?

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/861483_Magical-NeverWet-arrives-in-stores.html

You can protect boards, or yourself, from water by covering the board/yourself with plastic. A raincoat. Silicon coating is used when you don't want to wear a raincoat. Since PCB's aren't made of fabric, this is not an issue. If it was, you probably would not use a spray coating. Spray coating is used when dip or paint is too dificult. — david, Jun 22 '13 at 07:02

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 21 '13 at 22:01

Without seeing something specific, I would not trust it for electronics. It might work, but we simply do not know enough about it at this time. Possible issues:

Is the stuff itself conductive or otherwise electro-magneticaly reactive? It doesn't matter if it keeps the water off, if shorts things out itself.
Is the stuff corrosive?
Does the water repelling nature break down over time? I think it does, but don't quote me.
Can water still get stuck in cracks and crevices? I guess that it can, since you can't spray it everywhere.

It is hard to beat a water barrier, which this stuff is not. It would be cool if I'm wrong, but I'm not going to bet on it.

NeverWet: Appropriate for electronics?

1 Answers1