CONINS Pune's Acrylcoat ALQ series offers three PCB surface coating grades — ALQ-30, ALQ-60 and ALQ-100 — each with different viscosities to suit different production environments and PCB complexities. Selecting the right grade improves protection quality, reduces material waste, and optimises your coating process throughput.
The ALQ Series — Understanding the Grade Numbers
The suffix number (30, 60, 100) indicates the relative viscosity grade of the acrylic PCB surface coating. Higher numbers = higher viscosity = thicker coating film per pass:
| Product | Viscosity | Film Build | Best Application Method | Ideal Environment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALQ-30 | Lower — flows easily | Thin, precise film | Spray coating, dip coating | Indoor — G1 class |
| ALQ-60 | Medium — balanced | Medium film — good protection | Spray, brush, dip | Indoor/outdoor — G1–G2 |
| ALQ-100 | Higher — thick body | Thick film — maximum moisture barrier | Dispenser, thick-coat brush | Outdoor/tropical — G2–G3 |
When to Use Acrylcoat ALQ-30
Best for: Dense fine-pitch SMT boards, high-speed production spray lines, indoor electronics.
- ✅ Fine-pitch 0402/0201/0201 SMD components — thinner coating flows cleanly between leads without bridging
- ✅ High-speed spray and dip production lines — lower viscosity gives better atomisation at higher line speeds
- ✅ Consumer electronics, TVs, home appliances, computer hardware (G1 environment)
- ✅ Telecom indoor equipment — network switches, routers, rack equipment
- ✅ Applications where film build per coat must be precisely controlled
When to Use Acrylcoat ALQ-60
Best for: The most common production scenario — mixed SMT+PTH boards in moderate environments.
- ✅ Mixed SMT + through-hole assemblies — the most typical PCB assembly configuration globally
- ✅ Industrial electronics and commercial products with moderate G2 environmental exposure
- ✅ Outdoor equipment in sealed enclosures (industrial PLCs, power supplies, inverters)
- ✅ General EMS production — versatile across multiple product types on one line
- ✅ Vietnamese electronics manufacturers — good balance of tropical climate protection and processability
When to Use Acrylcoat ALQ-100
Best for: Maximum moisture protection — tropical/coastal climates, outdoor electronics, G2/G3 applications.
- ✅ Tropical high-humidity environments — Vietnam (80–95% RH), Malaysia, Indonesia, India coastal regions
- ✅ Outdoor electronics requiring maximum protective film thickness (G2–G3 class)
- ✅ Thick-coat dispensing processes — single-coat application achieving thick film build
- ✅ Outdoor LED luminaires, agricultural electronics, marine-adjacent applications
- ✅ When maximum protection is needed without switching to the dedicated G1/G2/G3 compliance product
Quick Selection Decision Guide
🔍
By board type: Dense fine-pitch SMT (0402/0201) → ALQ-30 | Mixed SMT+PTH → ALQ-60 | High-power / complex boards → ALQ-100
By environment: Indoor climate-controlled → ALQ-30 or ALQ-60 | Outdoor industrial → ALQ-60 or ALQ-100 | Tropical/coastal (Vietnam, India) → ALQ-100 or G1/G2/G3 Compliance
By application method: Spray/dip production → ALQ-30 | Spray or brush → ALQ-60 | Dispenser / thick coat → ALQ-100
By export destination: EU/US compliance required → G1/G2/G3 Compliance Coating (with full IEC 60068 documentation)
Common Features Across All ALQ Grades
- ✅ Same acrylic chemistry — consistent protection mechanism, different viscosity and film build
- ✅ Clear transparent finish with UV fluorescence for inspection
- ✅ Cures at 80°C / 60 minutes; full properties at 7 days
- ✅ Reworkable with Elclean Thinner AR
- ✅ Ozone-friendly, eco-safe formulation
- ✅ Available in 1L × 8, 5L × 3, and 25L packaging for export
- ✅ Full TDS and MSDS documentation provided
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Acrylcoat ALQ-30 and ALQ-60? ▼
ALQ-30 has lower viscosity — it is thinner and flows more easily, making it ideal for dense fine-pitch SMT boards using spray or dip application. ALQ-60 has medium viscosity, suitable for mixed SMT+PTH assemblies and both spray and brush application in moderate G1–G2 environments.
Which ALQ grade is best for Vietnam's tropical humidity? ▼
For Vietnam's tropical climate (80–95% RH), Acrylcoat ALQ-100 provides the best protection within the ALQ series due to its higher viscosity and thicker coating film. For very demanding environments or export compliance requirements, the dedicated G1/G2/G3 Compliance Coating with IEC 60068 documentation is strongly recommended.
Can I thin ALQ-100 to get ALQ-60 viscosity? ▼
Yes. All ALQ grades can be adjusted with Elclean Thinner AR. However, thinning reduces the solids content and film build thickness, so the resulting protection level will be less than the base ALQ-100 provides. Always verify film thickness after any viscosity adjustment. Using the correct grade from the start is better practice than field thinning.
Can I mix ALQ-30 and ALQ-60 to get an intermediate viscosity? ▼
Technically yes — both are compatible acrylic coatings and can be mixed. However, CONINS recommends using the discrete grades as formulated for consistent and predictable results. Mixing should be done in known ratios and the resulting viscosity verified before production use.