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Unlike conventional heat shrink tubes or enclosure systems which only seals wires and splices on the outside, a novel Acrylate based sealing technology developed and introduced by Eurotech is a low viscosity fluid formulated to be applied to the splices either in liquid droplets or by dipping, utilizes fast capillary-wicking action and quick self-cure inside the wires to form a robust, cost effective, flexible, impenetrable seal to prevent moisture damage of wire harnesses and associated electrical components. This technology is an enabler of new wire harness architectures currently limited by the shortcomings of conventional sealing products such as heat shrink tubes which come up short when the splice configurations or geometries become too complex or difficult for sealing from the outside.Sealing mechanism investigation was launched and the results of the analytical experiments are presented to reveal how this unique sealing technology works to effectively withstand pneumatic air bubble pressure applied to the wires thus demonstrating effective prevention of water ingress into the wires. Surface energy analysis performed for this sealing liquid against metal and plastic surfaces is presented to confirm the capillary action observed within wires. Real-time FTIR data confirmed its fast cure kinetics which also supports the proposed hypothesis of the interfacial cure initiation and solid front growth phenomena inside the wires. Cross sectional microscopy and sealing depth profiling investigations point to the synergy of capillary action, fast cure kinetics combined with robust adhesive chemistry of this sealing system as primary contributors to achieving a durable, robust in-wire sealing capability of this technology. Automotive OEM performance specification test results for sealing performance and long-term durability of this technology are also presented.
D. T. Chung (Tue,) studied this question.