Introduction to Form-in-Place Gaskets
In an effort to enhance our service offerings, we discovered a superior alternative to traditional die-cut or molded solid gaskets: Form-in-Place (FIP) gaskets. These gaskets are precisely dispensed onto a substrate, ensuring 100% contact. This creates a robust seal that prevents leaks, blocks dust and moisture, dampens vibrations, and shields against electromagnetic interference (EMI). Additionally, FIP gaskets reduce lead times, minimize inventory needs, and allow for highly accurate placement of intricate gasket patterns in various materials to meet specific application requirements.
History of Form-in-Place Gaskets
Liquid gaskets, like many assembly technologies, were initially developed for the automotive industry. In the early 1970s, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. created an RTV silicone used by Japanese Tier 1 suppliers for engine seals. Soon after, ThreeBond International Inc. provided FIP silicone for various automotive applications. General Motors began using FIP gaskets in Saturn engines in the early 1990s. According to Cary Long, an application specialist at Nordson EFD, these gaskets are becoming more popular because they can be precisely dispensed with minimal waste.
Composition of Form-in-Place Gaskets
While sheet gaskets are typically made from materials such as cork, rubber, and graphite, liquid gaskets come in one- or two-component formulations including polyurethanes, acrylated urethanes, anaerobics, and silicones. These gaskets are opaque and generally thicker than structural adhesives, curing into rigid or flexible solids.
Over the past two decades, FIP gasketing has gained wide acceptance across various manufacturing industries due to its cost-effectiveness and high performance. It is commonly used in telecom, military, aerospace, industrial, transportation, life sciences, and commercial applications to replace traditional molded, extruded, die-cut gaskets and RTV sealants.
Expanding Capabilities of FIP Gaskets
The three-axis FIP gasket application process allows for the precise dispensing of conformable gaskets in various cross-sections and unlimited layouts. This approach saves on material costs, reduces the space needed for gasketing, and eliminates expensive production tooling costs. FIP seals offer excellent compressibility and low compression set, ensuring long-lasting EMI shielding and environmental sealing performance.
In 1997, Krafab introduced FIP gasket dispensing capabilities to support EMI shielding requirements using electrically conductive silicone-based compounds. Recently, there has been an increasing demand for non-conductive dispensed-in-place and cured-in-place gaskets. We source and apply a variety of gasket chemistries to meet customer design and application needs, including:
- Silicone
- Polyurethane
- Polyurea
- Acrylic
Choosing KraFAB for Your Gasket Needs
Krafab possesses the technical expertise, experience, customer service, and quality systems necessary to meet your needs from design through rapid prototyping to production.
We can dispense quantities ranging from a single unit to over a million units.
The Form-in-Place Gasket Experts
K.R. Anderson, Inc. boasts extensive experience and a highly trained staff that consistently delivers the right product for all manufactured material needs. Our flexible work floor and financial resources enable us to quickly adapt to meet customer requirements globally. Our state-of-the-art equipment and tooling capabilities allow us to process most parts efficiently. Our customers benefit from our top-quality fabrication division equipped with the finest equipment, processes, and personnel.
Get Your Gasket Quote Today
For more information or to get a quote for your gasket needs, please contact us directly.