Designing Effective Low Closure Force Seals

1
Designing Effective Low Closure Force Seals

• Austin Seal CO

2

• The purpose of every seal and gasket is to stop
  contained fluid from moving out by filling the
  uneven gap between two surfaces and forming a
  barrier. If the uneven surfaces or the gaps are
  larger, then a softer gasket suffices the
  purpose. For example, you can put a hard gasket
  between two machined pipe flanges because the
  faces of joints are tightened together. However,
  the gasket sealing used in electric applications
  should be softer because it would require bending
  when its latched. Therefore, a seal or gasket
  must be made of softer material so that it can
  fill the gap between two surfaces, and it must be
  strong enough to tolerate the lateral forces
  acting on it.
• The first step towards making effective seals and
  gaskets is to pick the right material. A few
  other factors are also to be kept in
  consideration. This article discusses factors
  for manufacturing quality low closure force
  seals.

3
Selecting the Right Seal Material Closure Force
Requirements

• In order to design high performance rubber seal,
  you must select the right material according to
  the closure force requirements. Therefore, you
  must first assess the application and determine
  the nature of material it require, whether a
  sponge or dense rubber material. The closing
  force you will need for the application will help
  you determine the material of the seal.
• A sponge gasket is ideal for low closure force
  seals. The applications using low closing force
  include fiber optic junction boxes, simple door
  seal, outdoor electronic enclosures, and various
  other consumer products. Those applications
  which require a higher closure force need a type
  of rubber seal. These applications can be those
  components which are bolted together in an
  industrial setting. In any case, the application
  type determines the selection of best fit
  material.

4
Selecting Seal Material and the Applications
Environment

• The other important factor in selecting the right
  material for seals is the environment in which
  they will be used. This includes consideration of
  factors such as pressure, temperature, UV
  exposure, exposure to water or oil, and so on. At
  times you might want to select a particular
  material because of its tolerance and resistance
  to UV and/or ozone exposure. Just like that, if
  the seal is going to be exposed to water or
  moisture, you might want to pick a different kind
  of material which is not affected by hydraulic
  exposure. Same is the case with exposure to
  certain chemicals, acids, solvents and so on.

5
Selecting Seal Material and Attachment
Requirements

• Yet another factor for picking the seal material
  is to consider how the seal or gasket will be
  attached. Those materials which can be attached
  by compressing require a different material than
  those which can be attached using adhesives. The
  seals can be attached using nails, clips, staples
  and so on. Normally such a material is picked
  which can tolerate this process.

6
Austin Seals

• The experienced and qualified staff at Austin
  Seals understands the needs and requirements of
  various industries. In all stages of the design
  and manufacturing process, our team makes sure to
  manufacture the perfect low closure force seals
  for you. To provide you the quickest path to
  first-time quality possible, we will design and
  manufacture your required seals in-house. To know
  more about low closure force seals made by Austin
  Seals, get in touch with us today and lets talk
  about your required seals.

7
THANK YOU