Industry

Silicone Gaskets with High Flex-Fatigue Resistance

Flex Fatigue ResistanceElasto Proxy custom-fabricates silicone gaskets with high flex-fatigue resistance. These specialty gaskets are made of materials that meet the A-A-59588 3B specification for 50, 60, and 70-durometer silicones.

Silicone gaskets have many desirable properties. They’re chemically inert, resistant to ozone and ultraviolet light, offer thermal stability over a wide temperature range, and can repel water and form watertight seals. Silicone rubber is used in a variety of sealing and insulation applications, but some silicones have inadequate flex-fatigue resistance – a measure of a material’s ability to withstand repeated flexing or bending without cracking.

In some industries, however, flex-fatigue resistance is required. For example, aerospace engineers need silicones with high flex-fatigue resistance for door seals, window seals, and vibration-isolating mounts used with alternators, compressors, and assembly bolts. Members of the mobile equipment industry need crack-resistant silicones for engine mounts and exhaust hangers. Designers of aerospace and defense electronics need silicones that can flex without cracking in high-performance keypads. (more…)

Continue ReadingSilicone Gaskets with High Flex-Fatigue Resistance

The Top 6 Sealing and Insulation Blog Posts of 2016

Six from 2016The Elasto Proxy Blog is starting the New Year by looking back at how we helped readers solve their sealing and insulation challenges in 2016. We’ve come a long since January 11, 2011, that day six years ago when we published our very first (and very short) blog entry.

Whether you’re new to the Blog or a veteran reader of our 225+ posts, Elasto Proxy is glad to have you with us. Here are our Top 6 Blog Posts from 2016 in terms of views. What would you like to read about in 2017? (more…)

Continue ReadingThe Top 6 Sealing and Insulation Blog Posts of 2016

Sound Barriers for Acoustic Insulation

Sound BarriersElasto Proxy explains what engineers need to consider when choosing sound barriers.  This article is the third in a multi-part series about acoustic insulation.

Sound barriers are soundproofing materials that reflect little or no noise. They usually contain dense but flexible mats and one or more layers of acoustical foams such as melamine. Various facing materials are also used for attenuation, protection, and decoration. Sound barriers are designed to achieve maximum attenuation over a broad frequency range, but they can impart other important properties. For example, some sound barriers offer resistance to fire and fluids. Other emit low levels of smoke while burning. (more…)

Continue ReadingSound Barriers for Acoustic Insulation

What’s the Shelf Life of Rubber Gaskets?

Shelf LlifeDoes your company keep rubber gaskets in inventory for long periods of time? Buying and storing large quantities of gaskets can help to reduce unit costs, but rubber doesn’t last forever. Shelf life, the storage period prior to gasket installation, varies by material type. Temperature, humidity, ozone, and exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) can also affect the shelf life of rubber products. By understanding these factors and evaluating all of your options for ordering seals, you can make stronger procurement decisions. (more…)

Continue ReadingWhat’s the Shelf Life of Rubber Gaskets?

Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Acoustic Insulation

sound transmission classSound transmission class (STC) describes the ability of a product or material to stop the transmission of airborne sound. Since the 1960s, STC ratings have been used to describe the acoustical properties of ceilings, walls, floors, and doors. Today, STC values are provided for acoustic insulation made from a single material, and for multi-layer composites that are sandwiched together. Higher STC numbers are generally better, but there are exceptions to this rule – and other factors to consider as well.

In this article from Elasto Proxy, you’ll learn what STC is and how it’s measured. For starters, we’ll cover some basic concepts about sound, vibrations that travel through the air or another medium (such as a wall) and can be heard by the human ear. Along the way, it’s important to remember that sound can also be reflected inward (such as within a metal enclosure) and cause vibrations. So while preventing the transmission of unwanted sound (noise) is important, you may face other design challenges, too. (more…)

Continue ReadingSound Transmission Class (STC) and Acoustic Insulation

Custom Weather Stripping for Doors and Windows

custom weather strippingCustom weather stripping from Elasto Proxy can meet the challenges of static or dynamic sealing in hot or cold weather conditions.

Here in the northern hemisphere, the days are becoming colder. In Canada, where Elasto Proxy is headquartered, the snows will arrive long before December 21, the first day of winter. At offices and factories across North America, doors and windows that let warm air out and cold air in mean higher heating costs. Leaky door and windows can also make occupants less comfortable and workers less productive.

Standard weather stripping can help, but what if your sealing and insulation application requires a specialized solution? After all, off-the-shelf rubber products aren’t designed and manufactured with your specific needs in mind. For a custom sealing solution you can count on, choose weather stripping from Elasto Proxy. All weather stripping isn’t the same, and selecting a custom-fabricated rubber product can save you time and money in the end. (more…)

Continue ReadingCustom Weather Stripping for Doors and Windows

Three Types of Custom Silicone Gaskets

Custom Silicone GasketsCustom silicone gaskets provide strong environmental sealing and excellent temperature stability. They resist water, ozone, sunlight, weathering, and aging; withstand high temperatures; and maintain their flexibility at low temperatures. Silicone rubber is also chemically inert and provides good dielectric properties. Custom silicone gaskets can be categorized in various ways, but there are three basic types: solid, sponge, and foam.

For product designers and technical buyers, it’s important to understand the differences between these three types so that you can choose the right one for your application. Type is just one of many specifications you’ll need to consider, but it’s a good place to start. For example, depending on your application, you may need to choose a silicone that’s UL listed for flame-resistance or FDA approved for medical or food processing applications.

For over 25 years, Elasto Proxy has been helping companies like yours get the custom silicone gaskets that they really need. In addition to design assistance and help with compound selection, we provide gasket fabrication services that are fast, dependable, and cost-effective. From prototyping and custom fabrication to warehousing and shipping, Elasto Proxy saves you time and money. (more…)

Continue ReadingThree Types of Custom Silicone Gaskets

Seals and Insulation for Military Projects at AUSA 2016

military projectsIs your company part of the defense community? Do you design, build, or buy components for military projects such as vehicles? Are you headed to AUSA 2016 next week? From October 3 to 5, 2016, leading defense contractors and subcontractors will join military officers and government officials for the annual meeting and exposition of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). Held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., AUSA 2016 is where you’ll learn about the latest in land power.

As an experienced member of the defense supply chain, Elasto Proxy will be in Washington for this important event. Robert Naccarato, Elasto Proxy’s Sales Manager, and Tom Henry, U.S. Branch Manager, invite you to join them in the Canadian Pavilion, or to arrange a meeting in another tradeshow location at your convenience. If you need custom seals, gaskets, or insulation for military vehicles, you’ll want to take advantage of this special opportunity. (more…)

Continue ReadingSeals and Insulation for Military Projects at AUSA 2016

Rubber Hatch Seal Case Study

military vehiclesRubber hatch seals for military vehicles don’t just keep out wind, water, dirt, and mud. They need to withstand extreme temperatures and various weather conditions. Hatch seals must avoid compression set, too. If a vehicle’s hatch causes a rubber seal to over-compress, the part won’t provide proper sealing. Ultimately, this permanent deformation creates a gap and causes seal failure. That’s bad news for military vehicles and the highly-trained personnel who operate them.

In this case study from Elasto Proxy, you’ll learn how we solved a sealing challenge for a manufacturer of military vehicles. The rubber hatch seals that we supply resist over-compression and demonstrate the value that we add to defense contracts. For our 25 years, Elasto Proxy has been an important link in the military supply chain. Elasto Proxyalso holds a Controlled Good Certificate (CGC) and works closely with trade groups such as the Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industries (CADSI). (more…)

Continue ReadingRubber Hatch Seal Case Study