WHY CHOOSE SILICONE-BASED ENCAPSULANTS AND GELS?
Silicone materials generally offer several advantages over urethane and epoxy technologies, including:
- Maximum protection against mechanical stresses caused by thermal cycling or thermal expansion coefficients
- Outstanding protection against shock and vibration
- Superior thermal stability for more reliable performance at sustained temperatures between -45°C and 200°C
- Enhanced water repellency and greater resistance to chemicals and UV radiation
- Reduce or eliminate special precautions related to typical safe handling of organic substances
- Easier industrialization without the need for oven drying or exothermic problems
- Ease of repair when rework of the module is required
- A wide range of special functions, targeting multiple functions such as thermal management, or ‘high transparency
Is an encapsulant or gel better for your application?
DOWSIL ™ encapsulants and gels offer many advantages, including excellent dielectric protection, strong seals against environmental agents, and excellent thermal stability and stress protection ranging from good to excellent.
Silicones can help reduce or eliminate the special handling precautions required for organic products related to their toxicity.
Dow Performance Silicones ‘ portfolio of encapsulants and gels offers a wide variety allowing shorter cycle times or a longer, more controlled flow to suit your needs. Our wide range also offers flexible options for room temperature curing or accelerated heat curing for increased productivity
Yet each material class offers distinctive advantages.
Encapsulants
Dow Performance Silicones ‘ encapsulants generally fall into three macro categories: standard, primer-less, and special grades.
- Standard encapsulants require a primer if strong adhesion is needed for extra protection.
- Primer-less encapsulants adhere to many surfaces when heated to temperatures above 100°C during the crosslinking process.
- Special encapsulants have unique properties and advantages, such as superior thermal conductivity, high transparency, or compliance with military specifications
- With hardnesses ranging from Shore 00 20 to Shore A 65, encapsulants in these categories offer versatile and proven solutions for any application.
Gel
Offering maximum stress relief, most gels also exhibit a sticky surface that naturally adheres to common surfaces without the need for primer. Dow Performance Silicones ‘ wide selection of gels is organized into four families: standard, low-temperature, reinforced, and specialty. Product specifications are usually determined by the requirement of the application.
