Why is the new energy sector more "selective"?
New energy related products are commonly characterized:
- Outdoor/Semi-OutdoorUse, long-term exposure to UV, rain, temperature differences
- Frequent temperature cycling and longer lifetime targets
- May involve flame retardant, safety and reliability verification
Therefore, the core of silicone seals for new energy is not only "can seal", but "long-term stable sealing".
Common Application Scenarios
- Dust and waterproof sealing of battery pack/electronic control housing
- Connector and feedthrough hole sealing
- Structural cushioning and vibration damping (with sealing)
Key requirement: you need to write these 4 items clearly
1) Weathering and aging resistance
- UV, ozone, rain, heat and humidity
- Hardening, cracking, loss of resilience after prolonged exposure
2) Seal retention under differential temperature cycling
Temperature changes bring about material expansion and contraction with stress relaxation.
- Focus on: whether leakage starts after hot and cold cycles
3) Flame retardant or safety requirements (if applicable)
If the product requires flame retardancy, the target level and test method need to be confirmed at an early stage.
4) Assembly consistency
New energy products tend to have large batch sizes and fast assembly beats.
- Need to be structurally more "fluctuation-resistant": lead-in angles, positioning, compression margins
It is recommended to include the "verification method" in the requirements: e.g. hot/cold cycle, hot/humid, sealed test conditions.
Selection ideas: material, hardness, structure together to determine the
- Large structural gaps and pressure fluctuations: consider higher hardness or reinforced supports
- Need for better fit: consider medium stiffness and optimize compression
- Outdoor long-term: prioritize weathering and aging data over initial hardness alone
Common validation programs (selected according to actual needs)
- Dimensional Consistency (Critical Dimension CTQ)
- Sealing tests (spray/water immersion/airtight, etc., specify conditions)
- Hot and cold cycle test
- Damp heat aging
- Compression Permanent Deformation Comparison
Common Causes of Failure
- Insufficient or uneven compression of trench design
- Insufficient lead-in angle leads to assembly scratches
- Poor gap control leads to extrusion
- Insufficient rebound after aging