Plastic Enclosure Sealants from TECHSiL

2.7 million enclosures sealed each year with TECHSiL: Sealing solutions for plastic enclosures

What are Enclosures and Why Seal Them?

Enclosures are housings for electronics and equipment, protecting them from external contaminants and physical impacts. Typically, they are used to protect electrical components like printed circuit boards (PCBs), control panels, and switches. Larger enclosures are used to protect machinery and equipment in industrial settings.

While enclosures protect components, they still need to be sealed. The sealant acts as the first line of defence against moisture, dust, and other contaminants entering the enclosure which could cause corrosion, short circuits, failure, and shorten operating life. It is vital the right sealant be chosen, if an enclosure has been developed with a specific property in mind such as underwater application, UV resistance, or flame retardant, the sealant must also reflect those properties.

Where are enclosures used?

Enclosures are used across industry but especially in electronics and automotive. Examples include ECU’s, modules, control units, industrial sensors, switches, power boards, PCBs, and power supply lines. Enclosure sealants, or flange sealants, are then used to seal connectors, cable entry points, and to seal between the cover and base.

Are you using plastic enclosures for electronics? TECHSiL can help seal them.

Enclosures can be made from various substrates, primarily plastics and metals. Plastic substrates offer a range of benefits for electronic enclosures which include being lightweight, cost effective, non-conductive, aesthetic, recyclable and more.

Enclosure Materials TECHSiL can Seal:

• Polycarbonate (PC)
• ABS
• Polyamide (PA)
• PC & ABS Blends
• PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
• PPE + PS blend (Polyphenylene Ether + Polystyrene)
• Glass Filled Nylon - Nylon 6, PA 6 and PA12
• Additionally, most metals including aluminium and mild steel which are used for lids on plastic and metal housings.

Benefits of Sealing Enclosures:

• Protection against moisture, chemicals, and dust ingress
• Mechanical Stress Absorption
• Elastomeric sealants provide vibration resistance
• Reliability and longevity, preventing degradation and premature failure.
• Create an airtight, watertight seal
• Protecting from temperature changes
• Noise reduction
• Waterproofing for outdoor or marine applications
• Chemical protection
• Cost reduction by preventing damage and extending product life
• Withstands inline pressure leak testing

Types of Enclosure Sealants:

• RTV Silicone Sealants – Flexible and able to withstand a wide temperature range, a popular choice for high temperature and harsh environments.
• Polyurethane Sealants – flexible, abrasion and moisture resistance, often used for protecting sensitive components and connectors.
• Epoxy Sealants – durable and chemical resistant, often used in PCB potting and encapsulation.
• Other enclosure sealing materials include foam tapes, and foam or silicone gaskets.

For more information about how TECHSiL can help seal your enclosures, contact our Technical Team today.