Potting compounds are used to encapsulate electronic components. This involves injecting a two-component liquid adhesive into the interior of a product containing electronic components and circuitry. After curing, it forms a thermosetting polymer insulating material, providing protection, insulation, and fixation. However, settling is a common problem with potting compounds during storage and use, and many users struggle to resolve it due to a lack of understanding of the causes. This article briefly analyzes the causes and impacts.
Settling of potting compounds is similar in nature to stratification and clumping, all related to material characteristics and handling/storage. Stratification often occurs during storage, becoming more pronounced with longer storage times; thorough stirring can alleviate this. Clumping, on the other hand, is caused by insufficient stirring and exacerbates settling.
Potting compounds mainly consist of silicone oil, powder, and additives. The core cause of settling is the density difference between the components. The denser powder will settle over time, resulting in a layer of transparent oil on top and powder at the bottom. Furthermore, high temperatures reduce the viscosity of the silicone oil, accelerating powder settling; therefore, controlling storage temperature is crucial.
If a two-component potting compound settles after use, its performance will not be affected if it is thoroughly stirred before use. However, uneven stirring will lead to weighing deviations, inconsistent performance after curing, and a gradual increase in viscosity during use, affecting both product performance and ease of handling.
The main factors affecting settling are: uneven stirring during production, moisture absorption during powder storage, excessively high storage temperature, and poor oil-powder compatibility.
We recommend that customers fully understand the product characteristics when selecting a product and choose a manufacturer with stable quality and professional technology. TENSAN has over 20 years of R&D and production experience and can provide comprehensive silicone application solutions and high-quality services to help customers avoid settling problems.
