The automotive industry were early adopters of Form-in-Place (FIP) gaskets many applications being in the powertrain system. Historically the most common uses were to prevent the ingress of dust, moisture and fluids, but an increasing number of manufacturers in new markets with many different requirements are transitioning to liquid gaskets and automated dispensing because of the huge cost savings and increased productivity that can be achieved.

New applications for FIPGs are constantly emerging as the electronics and wireless industries grow such as EMI and RFI Shielding in mobile phones and telecom devices, display panel support and light shielding in screen displays, acoustic vibration damping in handheld devices, navigation systems, optical equipment, thermal insulating or conducting in electronics and medical devices appliances.

Precise beads of material are applied to a surface, these beads are cured and bonded to the component for seamless sealing. FIP gaskets are a recognised, well proven, low cost and high speed cure alternative to manually applied O-rings or expensive, complex pre-moulded or die cut gaskets.

BENEFITS OF FORM-IN-PLACE GASKETS

 FIPGs can be dispensed efficiently onto complex shapes eliminating painstaking hand assembly

 Product designs can be made smaller and lighter

 Better resistance to heat differential expansion

 Parts may be dismantled and reassembled without affecting gasket integrity

 Reduces the risk of unwanted vibration between components

 FIPG materials adhere to many surfaces: aluminium, steel, plastics, ceramics, glass, plated surfaces, painted surfaces etc..

 Shorter lead times and significant assembly cost savings when compared to O-ring or die-cut gasket installation

 Better reliability than conventional processes

 Reduced gasket component inventory

WHICH SEALANT TO USE?

TECHSiL offer a number of flexible gasket solutions. Formulations include silicone liquid gasket materials, flexible anaerobic gasket materials and UV and light curing gasket materials for an instant cure. Selection of the correct sealant for use when making an FIPG is determined by both the method of production and the end application.

Production method will often dictate the properties of the sealant, either a paste or flowable product. Other physical features of the sealant, such as flow rate, viscosity and extrusion rate, can affect both production speeds and the choice or design of the automated dispensing system.

Environmental operating conditions are also important to consider. What is the gasket providing a seal against, chemicals, oil, fuels, moisture, water etc? Silicones have proven excellent in resisting harsh operating conditions and maintaining their physical properties, but some silicone sealants are better suited to certain conditions than others. Extreme operating temperatures can degrade many gasket materials; this will result in a loss of elasticity which in turn will lead to product failures.

Other physical and electrical properties may be important and also add functionality to the gasket. For example Silicone is naturally electrically insulating but can be formulated to be electrically conductive. Thermal conductivity may be required to dissipate heat through the gasket into a heat sink or some other device. It is therefore, important to involve Techsil early in the design process.

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WHY CHOOSE TECHSiL?

Benefit from huge cost savings and increased productivity with Form-in-Place gaskets (FIPG); an all-in-one solution from the experts at TECHSiL. Whatever your gasketing requirement be it environmental sealing, shock absorption, EMI/RFI shielding, acoustic damping, thermal conducting or insulating we have a solution to suit and expertise in automated dispensing options to match your precise gasketing needs.

For more information or to speak to one of our technical team contact us on technical@techsil.co.uk.