Parylene - how it all began:
In 1947 Michael Moses Schwartz left Eastern Europe and moved to Manchester, England. There Schwartz began studying chemistry and physics focusing his research on the chemical attraction between Aliphatic Carbon and Hydrogen.
After researching countless materials and elements he finally came across Para-Xylene, which left a residue much like the skin shed by a snake. At this stage he decided it is best to research the physical and chemical qualities of his discovery and find out if he was onto something.
Schwartz’s ‘snake skin’ was the first experience of what was later to become known as Parylene.
In the initial stages of the research, Schwartz’s discovery of the materials’ exceptional thermal stability, encouraged researchers around the world to continue searching for more polymers of the same family. Among the curios were well known companies with established research labs, included: ICI, UNION – CARBIDE, DuPont and others.
Nearly two decades of research later, in 1965, Dr. William Franklin Gorham and the UNION – CARBIDE labs found a way to mass produce and commercialize the material we know today as Parylene.
The discovery of Parylene gave the world a coating solution rich in characteristics and qualities. Today, we continue to discover its ever growing variety of applications and advantages.
NASA's best kept secret is finally out
Initially Parylene was most commonly used in the aeronautic and space industries with NASA as Parylene’s most prestigious fan. Over the last 40 years many patents have expired and what was once a military and commercial secret came to light, exposing many more industries to the wonders of Parylene.
In essence, Parylene is a polymer most commonly used as a world leading surface modifier (conformal coating), protecting and insulating vast and varied applications from harsh environments such as: chemicals, acids, aggressive gases, extreme temperatures and humidity. Other uses for Parylene include nano–packaging, friction reduction and more.
Parylene conformal coating offers several unparalleled advantages, not the least of which, is the fact that while trying to solve a single problem you always receive the complete package of advantages.
Did you know: The most popular Parylene is Parylene C (poly-monochloro-para-xylylene) - the most widely used member of this unique polymer series. Parylene C offers significantly lower permeability to moisture and gases than any other known polymer, while retaining excellent electrical properties.
