Potting and encapsulation resins also offer excellent mechanical protection. Mechanical protection can be identified in a number of ways; superior performance is evident in applications involving prolonged exposure or immersion in harsh chemicals, or those exposed to vibrational, thermal or physical shock, for example. The higher level of protection is achieved through the mass of the resin surrounding the unit. This is different for every application however potting and encapsulating resins always provide a far more substantial covering than thatoffered by conformal coatings.

Due to the bulk of material surrounding the PCB, potting and encapsulation resins are commonly two-part systems which when mixed together form a solid, fully cured material, with no by-products. In cases where the conditions are not considered extreme, Electrolube offer a range of conformal coatings which provide a combination of protection in humid and corrosive environments with ease of application. They can be used for complete coverage or selective application onto the PCB, thus minimising the weight added as a result of applying a protective material.