PHILADELPHIA - Stockwell Elastomerics recently announced the availability of 480S Gasket Tape made from soft silicone sponge that meets UL 50E for gaskets on electrical enclosures.

The pre-made master rolls enable fast-turn, slit-to-width production to support the need for high performance silicone sponge gasketing that withstands outdoor conditions and temperature extremes. These gasket tape products, including 480S Red Gasket Tape and 480S Black Gasket Tape, have adhesive backing on one side and are wound into master rolls of 15 feet to 30 feet long, depending on the thickness of the material.

The 480S gasket tape is the newest addition to Stockwell Elastomerics' high performance gasket tape line. Made from Saint-Gobain R10480S, the soft, low compression set, closed cell silicone sponge allows for weather sealing with low closure force. NEMA enclosures with limited latches, plastic enclosures with modest rigidity, or sheet metal ductwork used for exhausting or ventilation benefit from this soft gasket tape where a firm gasket can bow the door and create an ingress point.

R10480S silicone sponge is UL JMLU2, UL 50E, and UL 508 recognized for gaskets and seals used in continuous compression and period recompression. The 480S gasket tapes are backed by premium 3M acrylic adhesives capable of bonding to a wide range of substrates. Customers can request a free "Touch Brochure" with a small sample of 480S Gasket Tape and other gasket tape products to touch and feel the material. The "Silicone Sponge and Silicone Foam Gasket Tape Touch Brochure" can be requested online at the company's website (www.stockwell.com/GasketTapeTouch).

"The 480S gasket tape provides our customers with a closed cell silicone sponge that requires less closure force to achieve positive air and moisture sealing" said Stockwell Elastomerics President Bill Stockwell, in a press release.

The 480S gasket tape products have been developed for long-term sealing of enclosures in outdoor weather and other harsh environments. Applications for these materials have included electronic displays, digital signs, outdoor LED lighting housings, ventilation, and rugged outdoor equipment.

The 480S gasket tape is a soft, closed cell silicone sponge with high strength 3M 9485 acrylic transfer film adhesive that allows for installing the gasket tape around corners with a bend radius. The 480S red gasket tape is available in 0.125-in thick x 30 ft, 0.188-in thick x 15 ft, and 0.250-in thick x 15 ft slit rolls. It is specified by designers of electrical enclosures, commercial kitchen ventilation equipment, and outdoor enclosures for applications involving temperature extremes, moisture resistance, and UL 50E periodic recompression performance.

The 3M 9485 high strength acrylic adhesive is especially suited for applications where deflection forces may be in shear, or slightly angled, causing adhesive creep in many situations. 480S Black Gasket Tape is presently available in 0.125-in thick x 30 ft and 0.250-in thick x 15 ft slit rolls. It has been specified by designers of electronic displays, electric and digital signs, and enclosures that require a dark, soft, closed cell silicone sponge with UV resistance, weatherproofing, and long service life. Custom gasket tape combinations or cut gaskets with special adhesives may be constructed for special requirements.

For example, an application for 480S red gasket tape in a commercial cooking environment required 3M 9473 VHB acrylic adhesive for improved long term bonding in air ducting with potential grease contact.
And 480S Black Gasket Tape, used on large electronic displays, required 3M 9490LE film supported, low surface energy acrylic adhesive. The film support provided dimensional stability to aid the installation of long and narrow lengths of thin (0.125 in) and narrow (0.250 in) gasket tape. Any of these gasket tape products can be die cut or water jet cut into custom gaskets if slit-to-width roll materials are not suitable for a sealing requirement.

Stockwell Elastomerics' (www.stockwell.com) core competence is the fabrication and molding of silicone rubber and similar high performance elastomers. On-site production capabilities include adhesive lamination, slitting, die cutting, water jet cutting and custom molding. Many Stockwell Elastomerics customers take advantage of water jet cutting for fast turn prototypes and initial production, according to company representatives. Stockwell Elastomerics, Inc. is ISO9001-2008 registered.