Form-In-Place Gaskets

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What is a Form-In-Place Gasket?

Form-in-place gaskets (FIP gaskets) are thick liquids dispensed on top of substrates to create a strong, durable seal between two surfaces like metal, glass, or plastics. FIP gasket seals offer complete contact with good compressibility, low compression set, and ensure years of effective EMI shielding and environmental sealing performance.

Why Fip

Foam sealing using FIPFG (Formed-In-Place-Foam-Gasket) technology offers a highly efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional insert seals, such as EPDM, TPE, and NBR.

This process involves the application of a fluid or thixotropic two-component sealing material directly onto the component surface using a movable mixing head from the SONDERHOFF mixing and dosing system. The material then cures at room temperature, forming a soft foam seal.

Authorized Technical Distributor

We are an official distributor authorized by the supplier to manage materials. Our responsibility is to ensure that materials meet the required specifications, certifications, and warranty transfer to the customer.

We provide technical training to our staff and offer product selection assistance. We keep a stock of materials to reduce lead times. Our certified quality system ensures documentation and traceability. We strive to respond quickly to customer inquiries and offer flexible order requirements. Being an Authorized Converter allows us to fabricate materials according to customer requirements with manufacturer support and warranty.

Read our Technical FIP Guide

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Additional Form-In-Place Resources:

Gasket Manufacturing Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Proper Maintenance and Longevity of Form-in-Place Gaskets

The Future of Form-in-Place Gaskets: Trends and Innovations in the Industry

Unveiling Excellence: KraFAB’s Unmatched Form-In-Place Gasket Services

Cost-Efficiency Redefined: The Economic Brilliance of FIP Gaskets

Form-In-Place Gaskets vs Die-Cut Gaskets

An Application Guide for Form-In-Place Gaskets and Robotically Dispensed Thermal Interface Gels and Compounds

Four Critical Design Considerations for Quality Form-in-Place Gaskets

Successful Form-in-Place Gaskets

About Form-in-Place Gaskets

Choose KraFAB for Unmatched Responsiveness, Flexibility, and Timely Delivery of FIP Gaskets

By choosing KraFAB as your partner for FIP gaskets, you benefit from their responsiveness, flexibility, expertise, and commitment to meeting your unique needs. With their extensive capabilities and customer-centric approach, KraFAB is the best choice for all your FIP gasket requirements. Trust KraFAB for unmatched quality, reliability, and service excellence in the world of FIP gaskets.

To further delve into the details and take advantage of our decades of experience, please contact KraFAB.

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Other Considerations with FIP Gasketing

Manual Dispensing of FIP Gaskets

Many designers new to FIP gasketing ask if they can install an FIP gasket via manual dispensing. While there are handheld applicators that can we used to dispense FIP compound from every commercially available FIP compound package, the ability to dispense an FIP gasket bead by hand and to approach anything close to the accuracy, precision and repeatability that is available from an FIP gasket specific system programmed and operated by a knowledgeable and experienced installer is non-existant. One would be better off using a CIP compound instead (and only if there Is area available for CIP gasket displacement and cosmetics are of little concern).
Patching FIP Gaskets

That said users or installers will sometimes be able to patch an assembly where the FIP gasket has been damaged. This is sometimes doable for small sections. These patches will be less cosmetically appealing but with practice and care a useable repair can be affected.

It should be noted that none of the FIP compound manufacturers offer their compounds in “repair kit” sized packages. That means that an end user will need to source a full package and try to make that work, pay for a special package size suitable for repair work or send the assembly back to the installer for repair.
Robotic Patching and In-House Process Considerations

Patching broken FIP gaskets robotically is not cost effective as it requires too much time programming the robot to do a special short run. The gasket should either be patched manually or the gasket should be removed from the substrate and completely re-installed.

The next question from those looking to adopt FIP gasketing is, “Can I do this process in house?” The answer is a highly qualified yes.
Equipment and Training for In-House Installation

A garden variety liquid dispensing robot is generally not adequate for good FIP gasket installation. Those considering sourcing a robot for their application should find a supplier who can prove system suitability for typical installations (and for each type of FIP compound that will be installed). The cost of fully commissioning the system is of the order of $100k – $200k. These lines generally require preventative maintenance checks and services at least annually. If the program where the FIP gaskets are used cannot tolerate a maintenance shut down, the owner should arrange for stock of any long lead time repair parts (boards, motors, drives, valves and any other moving parts) early on. If heat cure FIP gaskets are used there must be an oven suitable for use with silicones and of the correct capacity for the assemblies to be made.
Learning Curve for Installation Process

FIP gasket installation is roughly equal parts ancient art and esoteric science. Neither is learned quickly. Anyone planning to implement this process must allow a very healthy ramp period while this process is learned. FIP gasket installation is not only about being able to run the CNC dispensing system. One must be able to generate an efficient dispensing program. Operators must be able to gauge how the installation process is going, and how to diagnose and correct problems. Operators must also be able to evaluate the finished product. Post production staff need to finish the gasket installation and evaluate the finished product as well.
Sourcing and Storage of FIP Compounds
Contingency Planning

Challenges, variables, or breakdowns will occur all the time in: substate dimensional features, finishing processes, dispensing system nuances, material characteristics and packaging, shipping and storage environment, operator skill, local environment and so on. So, back ups and contingency plans are a must in order to minimize the inevitable production frustrations that will occur.
Considering Outsourcing

Before going too far down the road of bringing a FIP gasketing system in house, the buyer should weigh all of the costs of this vertical integration versus using a supplier of finished assemblies with FIP gasket installation as a core competency. With the exception of companies where millions of an FIP gasketed assembly are required, the math almost universally points to outsoucring this service to a reputable partner who has honed the craft for many years.
Thermal Management and Integrated Solutions

The issue of thermal management in electronic assemblies has become an ever more important consideration of the past two decades. Almost every EMI gasketed assembly also requires thermal interface materials to aid in thermal management. The thermally conductive gap filling gel has become a very popular thermal interface solution. Those sourcing EMI gasketed assemblies may wish to look at sourcing those assemblies with the thermal gel installed as a turnkey item. These can be installed just like FIP gaskets using the same equipment. The only difference is that there is no curing of the installed material and some sort of lid over the thermal gel should be used if the packaging does not already include same.

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