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After dispensing, gels are cured at room temperature or by heat, depending on
the specific product being used (see data sheets for curing details of
individual products). Gels will cure in thin or thick section and can cure
when confined. Gel cure can be poisoned by certain materials due to the type
of catalyst used, causing poor or incomplete cure.
For best results, units to be encapsulated should be free of grease, oil and
other surface contaminants. Common cleaners for substrate preparation include
Dow Corning’s OS-120, isopropyl alcohol, toluene and acetone.
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Room Temperature Cure
A room temperature cure process can be used for most of the two-part gels.
After being mixed and applied, the gel is simply allowed to cure at ambient
room conditions. Cure time can vary from a few hours to a few minutes,
depending on the material chosen. Room temperature curing processes are more
appropriate for low to medium volume production applications, however, some
products are designed for rapid room temperature processing. Refer to the
product data sheets for typical curing times of individual products.
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Heat Curing
For any of the gels, heating will accelerate the cure rate. One part gels
require heating to an elevated temperature before cure begins. Limitations on
cure speed are generally dependent on the temperatures that the unit and
components are able to withstand. Heat curing can be done in a batch or
conveyor oven.
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