Sealing Systems for Control Cabinets
Electronics reliably protected
Our solution
Sealing systems from the RAKU® PUR and RAKU® SIL product lines provide high-precision, automated FIPFG seals. They adhere reliably, compensate for tolerances, provide long-lasting protection, and meet the highest requirements for fire protection, sealing performance, and aging resistance.
Your Key Benefits
Technology and Specifications
- Materials: Polyurethane sealing foams, silicone sealing foams, and elastomer seals for two- and three-dimensional applications
- Processing: FIPFG /technology
- Key Specs:
- UL 94 flame‑retardant – suitable for applications with potential ignition sources
- Hydrophobic integral skin for long-lasting moisture protection
- Adjustable reactivity, viscosity, and color
- Short curing times for efficient production
- UL-listed materials (UL 50 / UL 50E)
- Materials for ATEX / hazardous (Ex) areas
- Materials optimized for outdoor use
How Electrical Enclosure Gaskets Are Produced Using the FIPFG Process
In the FIPFG (Formed-in-Place Foam Gasket) process, a dispensing system, usually guided by a robot, applies liquid or thixotropic sealing foam precisely along the sealing contour of a housing, door, or cover. The material then expands and cures into an elastic, seamless gasket. This creates an electrical enclosure gasket without joints, capable of compensating for component tolerances while precisely conforming to complex geometries and grooves. Learn more about processes and materials on our sealing foam page.
Foamed gasket instead of inserted gasket profiles
Because the gasket is formed directly on the component, prefabricated gasket profiles and their handling during assembly are no longer required. Gasket application is automated and highly reproducible, ensuring consistently high sealing quality in both series and high-volume production. Even when designs change, the process remains flexible and does not require tooling investments.
Material and dispensing technology from a single source
In addition to the sealing materials RAKU® PUR and RAKU® SIL, RAMPF offers extensive expertise in dispensing technology and automated processing. Combining material know-how with application expertise ensures high process reliability and efficient manufacturing operations. For customers seeking a fully integrated solution, materials, dispensing systems, and automation can all be supplied from a single source. For low production volumes or fluctuating demand, RAMPF also offers contract manufacturing services, eliminating the need to invest in dedicated equipment.
PU or Silicone Gasket for Electrical Enclosures?
The most suitable electrical enclosure gasket depends primarily on operating temperature, exposure to media, and the installation environment. RAKU® PUR polyurethane sealing foam is suitable for continuous use from -40 to +105 °C and offers excellent compression set properties, low water absorption, and resistance to greases, oils, detergents, and aqueous solutions.
RAKU® SIL silicone sealing foam provides long-term temperature resistance from -60 to +200 °C, is highly water-repellent, and is designed for demanding environmental conditions.
Some materials are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, providing a versatile 2-in-1 sealing solution that simplifies material selection across different operating environments.
Standards and Protection Ratings for Electrical Enclosure Gaskets
Depending on the application and target market, electrical enclosures must comply with specific protection ratings and testing standards. The gasket plays a critical role in achieving these requirements by providing reliable sealing against dust, moisture, and other environmental influences.
The IP protection rating indicates how effectively an enclosure is protected against the ingress of solid objects, dust, and water. The first digit defines the level of protection against solid objects and accidental contact, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against water ingress. For example, an electrical enclosure rated IP54 is protected against dust deposits and water splashes.
Our gasket systems support the achievement of commonly required IP ratings for demanding indoor and outdoor applications. For a detailed explanation of the individual IP code digits, please refer to our glossary.
For the North American market, UL certifications are often a mandatory requirement. UL 50 and UL 50E are standards for enclosures and electrical cabinets that evaluate protection against dust, water, and environmental influences. UL 94 classifies the flammability of plastic materials.
RAMPF offers UL-listed sealing materials in accordance with UL 50 / UL 50E, as well as flame-retardant formulations compliant with UL 94 for applications where potential ignition sources may be present.
In potentially explosive atmospheres, the European ATEX directives apply to equipment, components, and protective systems. For electrical enclosures and housings used in these environments, specialized gasket materials are available for ATEX and hazardous-area applications, helping to ensure reliable sealing performance while meeting the requirements of explosion-protection concepts.
- Excellent sealing performance against rain, dust, and splash water
- Durable hydrophobic integral skin
- High chemical resistance for demanding industrial environments
- UL 50 / UL 50E listed
- UV-stable materials for extreme exposure
- Strong elastic recovery throughout entire product lifecycle
- Precise FIPFG dispensing, even for complex geometries
- Fast curing for high cycle rates
Global Support. Anytime. Anywhere.
FAQ
The temperature resistance depends on the material. RAKU® PUR polyurethane sealing foam is resistant to temperatures from -40 to +105 °C for continuous use and up to +140 °C for short-term exposure.
RAKU® SIL silicone sealing foam withstands temperatures from -60 to +200 °C for continuous use and up to +300 °C for short-term exposure.
For outdoor control cabinets, gasket materials with long-term resilience and excellent resistance to moisture and chemicals are recommended. Selected materials are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and have successfully passed demanding tests such as the ice water test. A hydrophobic integral skin provides additional protection against moisture, helping to ensure reliable sealing performance even under challenging environmental conditions.
Soft, uniform gasket structures reduce assembly forces, allowing the enclosure to be closed quickly and securely. Hardness, reactivity, and viscosity can be tailored to the specific requirements of your application.
When designing the gasket geometry, the compression rate must also be considered. For RAKU® PUR polyurethane sealing foam, the recommended compression range is 30 to 60%, while RAKU® SIL silicone sealing foam is designed for compression rates of 10 to 50%. This ensures reliable sealing performance while maintaining the gasket's long-term resilience and recovery properties.
Our gasket systems provide reliable adhesion to stainless steel, aluminum, powder-coated surfaces, and plastics. Depending on the substrate, surface pretreatment may be beneficial to ensure optimal adhesion and long-term sealing performance. For this purpose, specially matched pretreatment systems are available to support a wide range of material combinations and application requirements.
Even on small and medium-sized control boxes, the FIPFG (Formed-in-Place Foam Gasket) process applies the sealing foam precisely along complex contours. Short curing times enable high production throughput, making the process ideal for efficient series manufacturing.