Question: Silicone Sealant for Circuits?

B

Berkeley Brett

Guest
Hello all:

My old electronics guru used to use a thick, clear silicone sealant on
sensitive connections of any circuitboards whose enclosures were
likely to get knocked around. When it dried, it had the consistency
of rubber. He always called it "RTV," though he never told me what
"RTV" stands for. I do recall reading "silicone sealant" on the label
(I believe -- though with increasing years, the memories sometimes
melt together.)

Alas, my old electronics guru has departed for the Solder Station in
the Sky (at age 83).

My question is, do any of you use a silicone (or other) sealant on
your circuitboards? If so, what brands and product names? It would
be best if they could be obtained at major outlets, but I'll settle
for any information you choose to share.

One friend had recommended that I try General Electric's "Silicone
II," but there are quite a few varieties of this sealant. Here is the
one that seems, to me, to be the best match for what I'm considering:

http://www.amazon.com/Pack-GE280-CLEAR-2-8-SILICONE/dp/B000PRQKAM/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/103-7126301-8911068

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendations you may have.

P.S. As you may have gathered, I'm not vastly experienced with
electronics -- I am merely an enthusiastic hobbyist at this stage.

--
Brett
http://www.100bestwebsites.org/
"The 100 finest sites on the Web, all in one place!"
 
Berkeley Brett wrote:
Hello all:

My old electronics guru used to use a thick, clear silicone sealant on
sensitive connections of any circuitboards whose enclosures were
likely to get knocked around. When it dried, it had the consistency
of rubber. He always called it "RTV," though he never told me what
"RTV" stands for. I do recall reading "silicone sealant" on the label
(I believe -- though with increasing years, the memories sometimes
melt together.)

Alas, my old electronics guru has departed for the Solder Station in
the Sky (at age 83).

My question is, do any of you use a silicone (or other) sealant on
your circuitboards? If so, what brands and product names? It would
be best if they could be obtained at major outlets, but I'll settle
for any information you choose to share.

One friend had recommended that I try General Electric's "Silicone
II," but there are quite a few varieties of this sealant. Here is the
one that seems, to me, to be the best match for what I'm considering:

http://www.amazon.com/Pack-GE280-CLEAR-2-8-SILICONE/dp/B000PRQKAM/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/103-7126301-8911068

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendations you may have.

P.S. As you may have gathered, I'm not vastly experienced with
electronics -- I am merely an enthusiastic hobbyist at this stage.

--
Brett
http://www.100bestwebsites.org/
"The 100 finest sites on the Web, all in one place!"

If you do go down this route go for neutral cure silicon, it will should
Click to expand...
not react with any of the circuitry.
Reminds me of potting circuit boards.
Mick C
 
On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:43:04 -0700, Berkeley Brett
<RoyalOui@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all:

My old electronics guru used to use a thick, clear silicone sealant on
sensitive connections of any circuitboards whose enclosures were
likely to get knocked around. When it dried, it had the consistency
of rubber. He always called it "RTV," though he never told me what
"RTV" stands for.
Click to expand...
Room Temperature Vulcanizing.

I do recall reading "silicone sealant" on the label
(I believe -- though with increasing years, the memories sometimes
melt together.)

Alas, my old electronics guru has departed for the Solder Station in
the Sky (at age 83).

My question is, do any of you use a silicone (or other) sealant on
your circuitboards? If so, what brands and product names?
Click to expand...
Be very careful trying this. Most RTVs release acetic acid (the stuff
in vinegar) that can prove to be nasty for electrical components.
There are types of RTVs that do not release acid and are safer for
electronics.
 
If you do go down this route go for neutral cure silicon, it will should
not react with any of the circuitry.
Reminds me of potting circuit boards.
Mick C
Click to expand...
Thank you very much, Mick C! I have seen this term "potting circuit
boards" used in the web browsing I've done on this subject, though the
term was unfamiliar to me. The term "neutral cure" may be helpful --
I will keep my eyes open for it.

Again, thanks....

--
Brett
http://www.FreewareFriend.com/
Find the best truly-free software very quickly!
 
Thanks very much, PeterD!

Room Temperature Vulcanizing.
Click to expand...
A good thing to know!

I appreciate your advice on avoiding acetic acid-releasing compounds.
I have heard that they can be corrosive to circuits, though I was not
aware that RTV was a possible source.

Thanks again!

--
Brett
http://www.FreewareFriend.com/
Find the best truly-free software very quickly!
 
"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:7te273t96eq00drukuedeu2b1oljtbvujm@4ax.com...
On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:43:04 -0700, Berkeley Brett
RoyalOui@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all:

My old electronics guru used to use a thick, clear silicone sealant on
sensitive connections of any circuitboards whose enclosures were
likely to get knocked around. When it dried, it had the consistency
of rubber. He always called it "RTV," though he never told me what
"RTV" stands for.

Room Temperature Vulcanizing.

I do recall reading "silicone sealant" on the label
(I believe -- though with increasing years, the memories sometimes
melt together.)

Alas, my old electronics guru has departed for the Solder Station in
the Sky (at age 83).

My question is, do any of you use a silicone (or other) sealant on
your circuitboards? If so, what brands and product names?

Be very careful trying this. Most RTVs release acetic acid (the stuff
in vinegar) that can prove to be nasty for electrical components.
There are types of RTVs that do not release acid and are safer for
electronics.
Click to expand...
Think maplin sells a Potting paste for that sort of thing. Though is hard
and not like rubber.
Also the Rubber he used was probably fish tank sealant. No Vinager in that.
I've Used that stuff for alsort. Great for fixing the rubber on around a
cars windscreen too.
Or you could get a heat glue gun. Which also looks like Rubber.

Regards
Wombat.
 
Thank you, Wombat!

I wonder: do you know of any brands or product names?

I have heard that some people use a glue gun. I may also check into
this.

Thanks again!

--
Brett
http://www.FreewareFriend.com/
Find the best truly-free software very quickly!
 
Just a quick follow-up:

A friend who works on electronic circuits professionally finally
returned my phone call.

He said that at the laboratory at which he works "Dow Corning 4
Electrical Insulating Compound" is used for insulation of circuits.

I am happy to see that this product is available online at a
reasonable cost:

http://www.amazon.com/DOW-CORNING-Electrical-Insulating-Compound/dp/B000LEX8TA/ref=sr_1_2/103-7126301-8911068?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1181827614&sr=8-2

Even so, I don't know if it is readily available in many "brick-and-
mortar" stores.

Any thoughts on this product?

This and more suggestions are most welcome...

--
Brett
http://www.100bestwebsites.org/
"The 100 finest sites on the Web, all in one place!"
 
On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:38:39 +0100, "Wombat-Pipex-News"
<wombatppc@nospam@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:


Also the Rubber he used was probably fish tank sealant. No Vinager in that.
Click to expand...
There are some automotive sealants that are also acid free.
 
On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 06:47:08 -0700, Berkeley Brett
<RoyalOui@gmail.com> wrote:

Just a quick follow-up:

A friend who works on electronic circuits professionally finally
returned my phone call.

He said that at the laboratory at which he works "Dow Corning 4
Electrical Insulating Compound" is used for insulation of circuits.

I am happy to see that this product is available online at a
reasonable cost:

http://www.amazon.com/DOW-CORNING-Electrical-Insulating-Compound/dp/B000LEX8TA/ref=sr_1_2/103-7126301-8911068?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1181827614&sr=8-2

Even so, I don't know if it is readily available in many "brick-and-
mortar" stores.

Any thoughts on this product?

This and more suggestions are most welcome...
Click to expand...
Thsi stuff is basically a dielectric grease, so it won't harden for
exmaple.
 
The RTV expression is correct!

The glue is from Dow Corning and depending on which viscosity you
need, you have choice

DC3140RTV

or DC3145RTV or DC744 which is then white

DC734RTV or DC732 are forbidden for electronics, since using acetic
acid (corrosion)
 
On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:43:04 -0700, Berkeley Brett
<RoyalOui@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all:

My old electronics guru used to use a thick, clear silicone sealant on
sensitive connections of any circuitboards whose enclosures were
likely to get knocked around. When it dried, it had the consistency
of rubber. He always called it "RTV," though he never told me what
"RTV" stands for. I do recall reading "silicone sealant" on the label
(I believe -- though with increasing years, the memories sometimes
melt together.)

Alas, my old electronics guru has departed for the Solder Station in
the Sky (at age 83).

My question is, do any of you use a silicone (or other) sealant on
your circuitboards? If so, what brands and product names? It would
be best if they could be obtained at major outlets, but I'll settle
for any information you choose to share.
Click to expand...
---
You might try navigating the GE and Dow Corning websites, but here's
an easy one:

http://www.masterbond.com/produse/produse_pe.html

Also, you can buy directly from them with a credit card.


Emerson and Cuming:

http://www.emersoncuming.com/generic.asp?cat_id=5&sub_cat_id=1&region_id=1

is another good one, but geared toward larger quantities and sales
through distribution.


--
JF
 
On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:43:04 -0700, Berkeley Brett wrote:

Hello all:

My old electronics guru used to use a thick, clear silicone sealant on
sensitive connections of any circuitboards whose enclosures were
likely to get knocked around. When it dried, it had the consistency
of rubber. He always called it "RTV," though he never told me what
"RTV" stands for.
Click to expand...
"Room-Temperature Vulcanizing", the original trademark.
 
Here's a link the appropriate GE RTV silicones.
I would hazard a guess that the ones they list for use as electronic potting
do not release corrosive chemicals during cure.
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/silicones/electronics.html


"Berkeley Brett" <RoyalOui@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1181828488.862611.149990@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
Thank you, Wombat!

I wonder: do you know of any brands or product names?

I have heard that some people use a glue gun. I may also check into
this.

Thanks again!

--
Brett
http://www.FreewareFriend.com/
Find the best truly-free software very quickly!
Click to expand...
 
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