Armored Vehicle Gaskets

Armored vehicles play an essential role in projecting military power and protecting  service personnel. Metal plating and weapons systems are what most observers notice, but closer inspection reveals that rubber parts also help support the mission. In this technical article from Elasto Proxy, you’ll learn about the six types of custom-fabricated components that we supply for a military vehicle that’s been an important part of U.S. and Coalition operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (more…)

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Silicone Hatch Seals Resist Compression and Temperature

Silicone Hatch Seals | ST-375-23-SM
Silicone Sponge ST-375-23-SM

Elasto Proxy custom-fabricates silicone hatch seals for demanding applications. These specialty gaskets support superior sealing with good compression set and temperature resistance.

Gasket designers want rubber hatch seals that are as tough as the vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure that need them. If a hatch seal can’t withstand compression, it may over-compress and admit wind, water, dirt, or mud. If a hatch seal can’t withstand a wide range of temperatures and outdoor environmental conditions, seal failure can result, too. If you need hatch seals for military vehicles, mobile equipment, marine applications, or HVAC systems, there’s plenty to think about. Fortunately, help is available.

For every hatch seal design, compound selection is critical. As readers of this blog learned last March, choosing the right rubber won’t stop enemy fire, but choosing the wrong rubber can result in over-compressed hatch seals on military vehicles. That’s why although neoprene rubber offers an excellent balance of material properties, this elastomer wasn’t the best choice for the military gaskets that Elasto Proxy inspected. After examining the results of over-compression, we recommended silicone sponge rubber seals instead. Is this same elastomer right for your application, too? (more…)

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Military Vehicle Gasket Materials

Have you ever wondered why the military uses so many acronyms? It’s because soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines need to convey information quickly, accurately, and efficiently. That’s why suppliers to the defense industry are also more likely to hear a term such as “MRAP” than the phrase “mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle”.  For defense contractors who want to win new business, mastering these acronyms can be like learning a new language.

Like any specialized discipline, gasket design has its own language, too. For example, many rubber gaskets are made of synthetic elastomers with names such as Buna-N and EPDM. Published specifications such as ASTM D2000 use letters and numbers to “call out” the properties of vulcanized rubber in a highly-structured way. Units of measure such as durometer (hardness) are sometimes unfamiliar, so buyers and designers may need assistance in order to translate the language of rubber into project specifications. That’s just part of how Elasto Proxy can help. (more…)

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Closed Cell Sponge Rubber Gaskets

closed cell sponge rubber gaskets

Closed cell sponge rubber gaskets from Elasto Proxy don’t just meet your application requirements for sealing and insulation. They meet your business requirements for a value-added solution.   

Closed cell sponge rubber gaskets prevent the flow of liquids and gases to and from the environment. They contain nitrogen-filled cells and provide reliable sealing, cushioning, gap filling, and insulation. Most sponge or expanded rubber is lightweight, flexible, and compressible. Over-compression can cause gasket failure, however, so compound selection is critical.

As an experienced gasket fabricator, Elasto Proxy helps you choose the right rubber for your application. We then custom-fabricate gaskets that save you time and money. Many types of closed cell sponge rubber are available, and different compounds provide particular properties. These sheet materials and rubber extrusions also support water jet cutting, adhesive bonding or splicing, and taping for peel-and-stick gaskets. (more…)

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Custom Skylight Seals Case Study

Custom Skylight SealCustom skylight seals need to meet demanding environmental and load testing requirements. When a skylight company faced a sealing challenge, Elasto Proxy provided the perfect solution on a tight timetable.

Skylights are specialized windows that builders install in a roof or ceiling. They admit natural light, provide a visual connection to the outdoor environment, and support passive solar heating. Skylights can help reduce energy costs, but their benefits go beyond sustainability. For example, the giant domed skylights found atop some commercial buildings are designed to enhance the occupants’ overall experience. By combining art with infrastructure, these complex structures truly illustrate the art of sealing. If a skylight fails, however, property damage and personal injury may result. (more…)

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How Elasto Proxy Supports Infrastructure Projects

infrastructure projectsInfrastructure projects need sealing and insulation solutions that reduce risk and strengthen product designs. That’s why the industry chooses Elasto Proxy.

Buildings are more than just enclosed structures. In addition to foundations, roofing, and exterior walls, they contain components such as doors, windows, flooring, and lighting fixtures. Industrial, commercial, and residential buildings also include non-structural systems such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical power, and fire protection. Together, all of these components and systems represent infrastructure – and infrastructure needs sealing and insulation from Elasto Proxy. (more…)

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How Elasto Proxy Supports the Stainless Steel and Food Equipment Industries

Learn how Elasto Proxy custom-fabricates seals and insulation for the stainless steel and food equipment industries. Our value-added solutions strengthen your manufacturing supply chain.

Stainless Steel and Food EquipmentElasto Proxy, an experienced provider of sealing and insulation solutions, strengthens supply chains in the stainless steel and food equipment industries. Through design assistance, compound selection, and custom-fabrication, we support projects from prototyping to production. Elasto Proxy also offers value-added solutions that speed installation and optimize inventory management. Our rubber and plastic parts arrive ready-to-install, and we can ship them on-demand or according to your sales forecast. (more…)

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How Elasto Proxy Supports the Medical and Healthcare Industries

Learn how Elasto Proxy fabricates custom seals and insulation for medical devices and equipment, and how our complete capabilities can strengthen your supply chain.

Medical Equipment BannerFor over 25 years, Elasto Proxy has strengthened manufacturing supply chains by providing low-to-medium volumes of specialty seals and insulation. Through design assistance, compound selection, and custom fabrication, we support the medical and healthcare industries from prototyping to production. Elasto Proxy also offer solutions that speed installation and optimize inventory management, saving you time and money. (more…)

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