| Silicone RTV Silicone RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) is similar to common household bathroom caulking. Silicone RTV is generally applied to exposed edges or around the perimeter of a keypad. RTV can accommodate significant variations in surface flatness and geometries. Selection of a silicone RTV (or similar two-part epoxy) is dependent on the material onto which it is applied. Ultrasonic Welding Ultrasonic welding is a method of sealing certain plastics by the use of high-energy sound waves. These sound waves vibrate specially designed "energy directors", causing localized melting of the plastic. A liquid-tight seal is produced when the plastic re-solidifies. Conformal Coatings A conformal coating is a liquid or gaseous chemical that is applied to "coat" an area or object. When it solidifies, it prevents exposure to environmental contaminants. There are two categories of conformal coating - resin and paraxylylyene. Resins include four different materials: polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, and epoxide. Paraxylylyene, referred to as parylene, is a gaseous chemical that is vacuum deposited to objects. It is typically applied in much thinner layers than resins. It is highly resistant to moisture and chemicals, especially organic solvents. Due to the manner in which it is deposited and its physical characteristics, parylene is a thin film on top of the object rather than a covering which flows around it. The coating used is entirely dependent on the application of the unit and type of environment from which you are protecting the device. For high performance, low cost sealing solutions or sealability data, contact Advanced Input Systems' experienced design team. They can help you match your concepts and technical requirements with the best sealing solution for your specific application. |