Sealing Reliability in Extreme Environments: PGC’s Silicone Solution for Long-Term Performance

Background

A global leader in burn-in and test systems approached PGC for assistance in identifying a sealing material that also maintained specific conductive properties. Their systems are designed to test the performance of printed circuit boards (PCBs) under extreme temperature conditions, ensuring component reliability and overall design integrity. In addition to designing and building the equipment, the customer manufactures burn-in boards and supporting components used in reliability and production testing.  

Since these products are employed in critical applications, selecting the right materials is crucial for ensuring consistent performance. The customer sought PGC's engineering expertise and proven track record in helping companies choose suitable materials for complex requirements. 

Challenge

The customer needed a material that could effectively seal both air- and water-cooling systems within their application. Beyond sealing, the material also had to provide reliable electrical isolation against both AC and DC currents to protect sensitive circuitry. 

Additionally, the material had to meet strict price and availability requirements. With production schedules and customer delivery timelines at stake, maintaining a dependable supply chain was just as important as meeting performance standards. 

Solution

After assessing the application requirements, PGC engineers recommended a 50-durometer silicone rubber, a material we had successfully validated in similar use cases. This silicone offers excellent sealing properties, durability in high-temperature environments, and the necessary electrical isolation. 

A key advantage of this material is its resistance to compression set, which ensures long-term sealing performance without degradation over repeated use. Its ability to resist hardening and oxidation further extends its service life compared to other polymers that often deteriorate under high heat. Because PGC had prior experience with this specific material in comparable applications, prototyping was unnecessary. Our team was able to move quickly, sourcing the material and applying it to a gasket solution that met all the customers’ requirements. 

Result

PGC delivered a dynamic gasket that provided consistent sealing performance, reliable electrical isolation, and long-term durability. The solution not only met the technical requirements but also adhered to the customer's cost and availability constraints, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply chain. 

The customer expressed gratitude for PGC's ability to identify and implement the right material quickly. By leveraging past application knowledge and material expertise, PGC delivered a solution that improved performance, reduced potential risks, and strengthened the customer's confidence in our ability to support their long-term needs.