i c a t o r s asso president’s message b r c ken stoberspring 2015 semi-annual meeting march 17 -...
TRANSCRIPT
President’s MessageKen Stober
In This IssuePresident’s MessagePages 1 & 3
Future Meeting SchedulePage 4
New Association MembersPage 4
Company ProfilesPages 4 & 5
Press ReleasePage 5
What’s Going On In The GFA?Pages 7, 9 & 10
Fall 2014 Meeting PhotosPages 12 & 13
Nanotechnology Now and in Our FuturePages 14, 15 & 16
Particle-Filled Silicones for EMI Shielding and Environmental SealingPages 18, 19, & 20
Benchmarking Report Pages 22 & 23
Volume 33 Number 3 December 2014
Well, back from a great GFA meeting in beautiful Monterey,
California and time for another President’s Message for the
GFA newsletter. Clem warned me that they will sneak up
on you. The meeting in Monterey was a great example of
how valuable the meetings between the Expos are.
One of the most interesting things about this meeting was
the fact that fewer than 50% of the GFA members were
represented. In order to be a successful organization, we
must deliver value to our members. We have made a lot of changes to the structure of
our meetings over the last few years to increase the value that we are providing, and
we do a really good job of communicating this when we are seeking out new members,
as shown by the sharp rise in total membership (currently 184 members). However,
it occurred to me that maybe we could do a better job of communicating this to our
current members.
For those of you who have not attended a meeting for a while, let me walk you through
what you missed. Some of the highlights from the Fall Meeting in Monterey include:
Monday
6:00 p.m. Cocktails and Networking – This event is perfect for all members who
like to arrive the day before the actual meetings begin.
Tuesday
9:00 a.m. Welcome Walk/Run – Ideal for clearing the cobwebs from Monday
night and networking outside.
11:30 a.m. CEO Luncheon – This is open to all C level executives and we discuss
issues (suggested by our members) that affect our businesses. An
example of this would be, “How are you dealing with the new
requirements of the affordable health care act?”
Afternoon Committee Meetings – This is where the work to make the GFA evolve
as an organization happens. Committees include Communications,
Marketing, Membership, Program and Locations, and Technical. It is
important to note that all members are encouraged to attend these
meetings.
Continued on page 3www.gasketfab.com
610-971-4850
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December 2014Page 2
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December 2014Page 3
President’s Message(Continued from Page 1)
4:30 p.m. Fabricator Forum – This meeting is for the
Fabricator members to discuss common
issues and concerns. An example would be,
“Do you have a formal disaster recovery
program and what are some of your plan’s
best practices?”
6:00 p.m. New Member Orientation – This is a chance
for new members and guests to be
introduced to the GFA through a short
orientation.
6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception – This is the perfect way
to end a day of productive meetings.
Wednesday
8:00 a.m. Breakfast – This breakfast includes a spouse
discussion regarding activities for the next
meeting.
8:30 a.m. Member Presentations – 5 members had
10 minutes to introduce either their
company or a new product line.
9:30 a.m. Supplier Expo – There were 38 tables for
suppliers to meet one on one with the
fabricators to have discussions about their
products and the applications they were
designed for.
Afternoon Networking Activities – There was a choice
of three activities - a whale watching tour,
networking by the fire pit, or golf.
7:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception/Dinner – This reception
featured a number of food stations,
allowing all attendees to try plenty of local
tastes.
Thursday
7:45 a.m. Breakfast and Roundtable Discussion –
During this discussion, the topics were
focused on items that affect our business.
An example of this would be, “How do you
structure (split) your salesman’s pay
between salary and commission and why
do you structure it this way?”
8:30 a.m. General Business Meeting and Keynote
Speaker – A short business meeting
followed by the speaker presentation
by Don Schmincke on High Altitude
Leadership, which explained how to align
your employee’s behaviors with your
company’s vision.
3:00 p.m. Hotel Kitchen Tour – This provided
attendees an exclusive behind the scenes
tour of the hotel’s kitchens. The tour was
led by the Portola Hotel’s main Chef.
6:00 p.m. Cocktails and Networking – After two days
of exciting and valuable meetings,
members gathered for one last networking
opportunity.
Not bad for three days work. The bottom line is, what
you put into the membership is what you get out of the
membership. There are a lot of ways to improve your
company by attending the GFA. If you have not attended a
meeting in a while, check us out during the Spring Meeting
at The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda. I look forward to
seeing everyone there.
Spring 2015 Semi-Annual Meeting
March 17 - 19, 2015
Fairmont Southampton
Bermuda
Fall 2015 Semi-Annual Meeting
September 29 - October 1, 2015
Hyatt Regency San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘16
April 5 - 7, 2016
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, FL
Bermuda
Fall 2015 Semi-Annual Meeting
September 29 - October 1, 2015
Hyatt Regency San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘16
April 5 - 7, 2016
Rosen Shingle Creek
December 2014Page 4
GFA Future Meeting Schedule
Company Profiles
Goodyear Rubber Company of Southern California has been
a custom manufacturer of diversified rubber products since
1961. Strategically located in the Inland Empire, Goodyear
Rubber strives to meet high industry requirements and
create efficient solutions for clients worldwide. Goodyear
Rubber specializes in molding, extrusion, calendaring, roll
covering, mixing, and the custom formulation of products.
Playing a large role in various industries such as aerospace
and automotive, Goodyear Rubber has extensive experience
in the ever changing rubber market. Goodyear Rubber’s
customizable products are made with precision from
Neoprene Polymer, Fluoroelastomers, Silicone Rubber, and
many other different materials.
If the name Goodyear sounds familiar, it is because
Goodyear Rubber Company of Southern California is an
offshoot of the original Goodyear Rubber established over
a century ago. The Charles Goodyear family created their
company in San Francisco back in 1872.
Today, Goodyear Rubber Company of Southern California
is still living by the prestigious standards set by its parent
company. With a recent move to a 50,000 square foot facility,
Goodyear Rubber is ready to serve their clients with more
dedication and efficiency than ever before.
Goodyear Rubber promises to manufacture high quality
custom rubber products in a safe and clean environment
with sustained growth and increased productivity. Recently
celebrating 50 years in operation, Goodyear Rubber
Company of Southern California is looking forward to
serving new clients, creating strong ties and living up to its
legacy.
Continued on page 5
Fabricators
HST Materials, Inc.www.hstmaterials.com
Western Rubber & Supply, Inc.www.westernrubber.com
Suppliers
DeVoll’s Rubber Products Inc.www.devollrubber.com
Foamtec Internationalwww.foamtecintlwcc.com
Repro-Lonwww.reprolontexas.com
New Association Members
December 2014Page 5
HST Materials, Inc. is a fabricator of sponge and dense
rubber, plastics, films, and tapes. We produce gaskets, seals,
molded rubber parts, and many custom designed elastomer
and tape solutions for the OEM market. HST’s capabilities
include die cutting, dieless cutting, kiss cutting, rotary die
cutting, routing, molded parts, slitting, and laminating.
Our state-of-the-art processes allow for quick samples,
prototyping, competitive pricing, and speed to market.
HST, founded in 1987, is a woman-owned business and is
certified to ISO 9001. HST is located in Elk Grove Village, IL.
For more information about HST Materials, please contact
Kathryn Miller at 847-640-1803, ext. 104, or at
For more than 35 years, Western Rubber & Supply, Inc. has
produced quality rubber products for the OEM marketplace.
We are an AS 9100 certified organization that has become
a leading manufacturer and distributor of engineered
solutions. We specialize in manufacturing gaskets and
molded components, fabricating thermal management and
EMI shielding, and distributing vibration isolators.
Typical WRS solutions involve converting sheets or rolls
of rubber or plastic materials into unique configurations.
WRS’s portfolio of equipment includes a variety of cutting
and molding presses, dispensing machines, and support
equipment designed to efficiently manufacture custom
products.
Company Profiles(Continued from Page 4)
Ludlow Composites Corporation, developer of custom PVC
and latex foam solutions, and parent to Crown Matting
Technologies and Crown Canine Sports Matting, has
announced that it will operate its foam manufacturing
division under the name Crown Foam Technologies.
“Throughout its 70 year history, our Crown divisions have
always stood for ingenuity, strength, and reliability,” said
Vincent J. DePhillips, President of Ludlow Composites. “It’s
important we align these brand pillars in every phase of our
business. This name change brings us one step closer.”
The transformation comes two years after Ludlow
Composites was acquired by Desco Capital, a privately
held company headquartered in Columbus, OH. Crown
Foam Technologies will continue to support all of its global
industry partners in the automotive, industrial, medical, and
consumer appliance fields.
John Seitz, Director of Sales for Crown Foam Technologies,
said, “We look forward to building on this momentum and
continuing to deliver positive results for our customers.”
Along with the name change and rebranding program,
Crown Foam Technologies has updated its logo and website
URL to better align its brand identity with its business
strategy. For more information, visit www.CrownFoams.com
or call 419-332-5531.
Press ReleaseLudlow’s Industrial Foam Division becomes Crown Foam Technologies
Do you want your press release featured in a future issue
of the GFA newsletter?
Contact the GFA office for [email protected]
December 2014Page 6
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December 2014Page 7
What’s Going On In The GFA?Communications CommitteeGord Sirrs, Chair
In our latest Committee meeting,
our primary focus was on adding
value for members through the
GFA website as well as survey
participation and engagement. Here are a few of the
highlights.
Website Task Group
It is vitally important for the GFA website to function as a
simple and useful tool for members. To ensure this, a Task
Group has been formed to review and discuss statistics from
the GFA website. This will highlight what the site is currently
doing to add value for members, to help ensure that the
website’s tools and resources are easy to access and use,
and to discover where there may be room for improvement
moving forward.
We encourage anyone who is not currently engaging with
the GFA website to take a visit, to become familiar with the
site, and to make the most of some great resources available
online. Additionally, we welcome constructive feedback and
fresh ideas about how the GFA website can add more value
for you as members.
KPI Survey has been Completed
We are happy to announce that the first exclusive GFA
Performance Analysis Survey has been completed.
Thanks to everyone who participated. For those who were
not able to complete the survey this time due to time
constraints and other important day-to-day activities in
your organizations, we hope to have your participation for
the next KPI Survey. The higher the response rate, the more
valuable the results will be for all members.
Ongoing Quick Surveys
As always, we welcome your valuable and challenging
questions for inclusion in future Quick Surveys. Once again,
more participation means more value, so do not be shy.
We have had a great year so far. We have seen the GFA
website and GFA Expo mobile app connect members at an
unprecedented rate. The GFA has been proactive in taking
advantage of technology to make information and resources
simpler and more effective than ever. Our next steps as a
member group are to challenge ourselves and one another
to consistently participate in surveys, to become familiar with
the many valuable resources and tools available on the GFA
website, and to promote the community that we have built
together and that we are all fortunate to be a part of.
Marketing Committee Mark Nye, Chair
The Marketing Committee held its third
ever meeting at the Portola Hotel & Spa
in beautiful Monterey, CA. There were 21
people present at the meeting. Here are
a few of the highlights.
Tagline Task Group
A Task Group was previously formed to develop a new tagline,
which appropriately represents the GFA. Once the Task Group
has developed a proposed tagline, it will be reviewed by the
Committee prior to sending the proposal to the Board of
Directors for final approval.
Social Media
LinkedIn: With more members joining the GFA LinkedIn
group and more informational articles being shared, the
GFA LinkedIn group has been becoming a valuable tool for
members. If you have a LinkedIn account, please consider
joining the Gasket Fabricators Association (GFA) group and
contributing to the discussion.
Continued on page 9
December 2014Page 8
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engineered elastomersALPHA
December 2014Page 9
The GFA Twitter handle (@Gasketfab), which was used to
provide information on the last Expo, has been attracting new
followers. Members with Twitter accounts are encouraged to
follow the GFA.
Social Media Strategy
A Task Group was formed to identify how GFA members
currently use social media and what members want to see from
the GFA’s social media strategy. The Task Group would use that
information to help form the GFA’s social media strategy.
The Marketing Committee is also working on developing a FAQ
page and Top Reasons Why to Join list, which will be used in
various marketing materials. If you have any items you would
like to add to these lists, please let me know.
Our Committee is always looking for new ideas and fresh input,
so if you would like to get involved, join us at our next meeting
during the GFA Spring Meeting in Bermuda.
What’s Going On?(Continued from Page 7)
Program & Locations CommitteeCarol Bowman, Chair
With the Fall meeting in Monterey
now in the books, it is time to turn our
attention to our upcoming meeting
in Bermuda on March 17-19, 2015. We
will be staying at the Fairmont Southampton. If you have not
already taken time to look at the Fairmont’s website (www.
fairmont.com/southampton-bermuda/), I suggest you do so. I
think you will agree this location provides a great opportunity
to mix business with pleasure. I encourage everyone to start
planning now.
Since many members may not be familiar with Bermuda, we
have scheduled a “Bermuda Orientation/Cultural Presentation”
on Tuesday morning. This session is open to members and
spouses alike and should serve as a great launching pad for
things to do while visiting the island. In making business
networking plans, be aware that we are changing the cocktail
dinner reception from Wednesday to Tuesday evening.
Hopefully, this will allow members to connect sooner, and
alleviate the difficulty of making individual dinner reservations
on the first day of meetings.
Rocky Bleier will be our General Session Speaker in Bermuda.
Rocky touches on many themes in his presentation, including
courage, inspiration, motivation, patriotism, and personal
growth. So, no matter how your plans unfold while you are in
Bermuda, I hope all members and spouses will attend Rocky’s
presentation during the General Session. I feel certain he will
not disappoint.
Continued on page 10
Membership Committee Keith Crowe, Chair
2014 has been an exciting year for the
Membership Committee and for the GFA
as a whole. Throughout the year, the
Membership Committee has worked on
refocusing and reenergizing our active
prospect list. This has been one of the driving forces in the
GFA adding 31 new members this year. Thank you to all of the
members who have been promoting the GFA!
During the Fall Meeting, the Membership Committee met
and discussed a few exciting items, one being the continuous
project of refining our active prospect list and ensuring we
are promoting the GFA effectively. As an outcome of the
discussion, the Membership Committee has decided to
move forward with a “Who Do You Know” membership drive.
This would allow current members to let the Membership
Committee know who they believe would be great additions
to the GFA. Be on the lookout for more information about this
membership drive.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the GFA Spring Meeting in
Bermuda and invite you to become a part of the Membership
Committee.
December 2014Page 10
What’s Going On?(Continued from Page 9)
Looking ahead, we have confirmed the Hyatt Regency San
Antonio in San Antonio, Texas for September 29th - October
1st, 2015. The River Walk, located just outside the doors of the
Hyatt, is a great location to walk, enjoy great restaurants, gather
for a drink, or listen to music while taking a gondola ride. April
5th - 7th, 2016, the Gasket and Converting Expo will be held at
Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. Many members have found it
beneficial to bring sales, purchasing, and accounting staff to the
Expo. Mark your calendars now for what promises to be another
great event.
Finally, I would like to extend a warm thanks to Bill Hibner for his
two years as chair of the Program and Locations Committee. As
Bill steps down, I welcome Gary Guzek as the new Vice Chair. It
is the goal of our Committee to support members as they work
to grow their business. As such, we focus on selecting locations
that promote strong attendance, planning diverse activities
that foster networking, enlisting speakers with strong take-
away messages, and remaining open to suggestions from the
membership at large. We invite all GFA participants to attend
our Committee meeting. If you cannot attend, please submit
your suggestions to a member of the Program and Locations
Committee.
I hope all members enjoy the holidays with family and friends
and wish everyone continued prosperity in the year ahead. See
you in Bermuda!
Technical CommitteeMatt Weiss, Chair
Did you participate in the latest
technical webinar on equipment?
This was the second in a series of
webinars focusing on different types of
converting equipment. If you missed
it, just head to the members only section of the GFA website
and look for the recording. The next part of the series is already
being developed, so be on the lookout for an invitation to
attend.
Joining a committee is one of the best ways to take advantage of your GFA
membership. Contact the GFA office at 610-971-4850 or [email protected] if you would like to join a committee.
In addition to the first two parts of the Equipment Webinar
Series, there are other series available for review and to be
used as teaching tools. They include:
• The Estimator’s Guide to Basic Gasketing (5 sessions)
• Guide to Material Selection (3 sessions)
• ABC’s of PSA (4 sessions)
Please pardon the dust as the Technical Handbook is under
renovation. At the last meeting, we divided the Task Group
into different sections to be able to better focus on the various
aspects of the handbook. It has been many years since the last
update and it is due for a refreshing. We are looking forward
to the results and the benefits that an updated Technical
Handbook will provide the Association. If you missed the
opportunity to throw your name into the hat to assist and
would like to be involved, please contact me at mweiss@jbc-
tech.com.
In addition to the webinars and presentations, there are
more than one dozen previously published GFA newsletter
articles written by GFA members available for your use.
The combination of these resources provides an expansive
spectrum of information for the industry. If you would like
to have an article published in the GFA newsletter, we would
encourage you to submit your article to Pete Lance or Brian
Schaaf in the GFA office.
As a volunteer service of the GFA, the Technical Committee
welcomes all members to participate and join in the process of
informing and educating the future leadership of our industry.
Please invest an hour during the next GFA meeting to see
what the Technical Committee is all about.
December 2014Page 11
GFA 2015 Spring MeetingThe Fairmont Southampton • BermudaMarch 17 - 19, 2015
Are you ready for the Spring Meeting? Program Highlights
Mark your calendars, because the GFA is heading to Bermuda. On March 17 - 19, 2015, the GFA will be holding our Spring Meeting at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda. The combination of a packed schedule of meetings and networking opportunities, along with the beautiful location, is sure to attract a large crowd of some of the industry’s top professionals.
Be on the lookout for a meeting notice with all of the meeting details this winter, and be sure to check out the events page of the GFA website for all of the latest GFA meeting information.
We look forward to seeing you in Bermuda!
Scan here to learn more about the Fairmont Southampton:
Tuesday, March, 17, 2015
• Bermuda Orientation
• CEO Luncheon Meeting
• GFA Committee Meetings
• Fabricator Forum
• Cocktail Reception/Dinner
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
• Member Presentations
• Supplier Expo
• Golf Tournament, Tour, and other activities
• Cocktail Reception
Thursday, March 19, 2015
• General Session - Rocky Bleier, former NFL player
• Cocktail Reception
December 2014Page 12
Fall 2014 Fall Meeting PhotosPortola Hotel & Spa, Monterey, California
Attendees take part in celebrating the GFA’s 35th Anniversary
President Ken Stober addresses the
audience during the General Session
Don Schmincke presenting
during the General Session
December 2014Page 13
December 2014Page 14
Nanotechnology Now and in Our FutureBy: Larry Pyle, President, LFPtechnologies
Several times during our existence on Earth, something new
has been discovered or created that changes everything.
During the Stone Age, man smelled something new (smoke)
and decided to check it out. It was the discovery of fire that
radically changed their world. Many centuries later, some
inventive artisans figured out how to make tools out of
iron. These sturdy tools lasted a lot longer than their stone
implements.
Fast forward to a time of electricity, horseless carriages,
antibiotics, and indoor plumbing for the majority of the
developed world, and suddenly the human race became
aware that if something was considered long enough,
anything was possible. With that thought, science and
technology breakthroughs exploded during the past
century. Then, the true age of technology, color TV, and fast
and still faster computers. Smaller, faster, lighter, and smarter
has become the theme of the day. Today, the quest for
knowledge has reached, with the result of the latest phase
of our technology development, nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of
matter at the nanoscale, at dimensions between 1 and 100
nanometers. We have been used to working in a world of
meters, millimeters, and micrometers. It takes one billion
nanometers to make one meter.
Matter such as gases, liquids, and solids can exhibit unique
and unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties
at the nanoscale, differing in important ways from the
properties of bulk materials, single atoms, and molecules.
Some nanostructured materials are stronger or have
different magnetic properties compared to other forms or
sizes of the same material on a larger scale. Others are better
at conducting heat or electricity. They may become more
chemically reactive, reflect light better, or change color as
their size or structure is altered.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and
application of extremely small things and can be used across
all the other scientific fields such as chemistry, biology,
physics, materials science, and engineering. The ideas and
concepts behind this science started with a talk entitled,
“There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” by physicist Richard
Feynman in December of 1959. He described a process in
which scientists would be able to manipulate and control
individual atoms and molecules. Over ten years later,
Professor Nario Taniguchi coined the term nanotechnology
while developing the scanning tunneling microscope, which
could see individual atoms. At last, materials could be seen
at the atomic scale rather than microscopically. This opened
a whole new world for the scientists to explore.
Although modern nanoscience and nanotechnology are
quite new, nanoscale materials were used for centuries.
Alternate-sized gold and silver particles created colors in
the stained glass windows of medieval churches hundreds
of years ago. The artists did not know the process they
used to create beautiful works of art led to changes in
the composition of the materials they were working with.
Today’s scientists and engineers are finding a wide variety
of ways to deliberately make materials at the nanoscale to
take advantage of their enhanced properties such as higher
strength, lighter weight, increased control of light spectrum,
and greater chemical reactivity.
Everyday Materials and Processes
Most benefits of nanotechnology depend on the fact that
it is possible to tailor the essential structures of materials
at the nanoscale to achieve specific properties. Using
nanotechnology, materials can effectively be made to be
stronger, lighter, more durable, more reactive, and more
eclectically conductive. There are already over 800 everyday
commercial products that rely on nanoscale materials
and processes. Nanoscale additives in polymer composite
materials, along with other materials, are used to make
Continued on page 15
December 2014Page 15
baseball bats, tennis rackets, helmets, and auto bumpers, to
make them simultaneously lightweight, stiff, durable, and
resilient. Nanoscale thin films are used in eyeglasses, computer
and camera displays, windows, and other surfaces to make
them water-repellent, anti-reflective, and self-cleaning. In
the food industry, materials using nanotechnology created
nanocomposites in food containers to minimize carbon
dioxide leakage out of carbonated beverages, or to reduce
oxygen inflow, moisture outflow or the growth of bacteria
in order to keep food safer. Sensors are being developed
to detect salmonella and other food contaminates before
packaging and distribution. Nano-engineered materials in
automotive products include high-power rechargeable battery
systems, lower-rolling resistant tires, thin-film solar panels,
fuel additives, and improved catalytic converters for cleaner
exhaust.
Electronics and Information Technology Applications
Nanotechnology is already in use in many computing,
communications, and other electronics applications to provide
faster, smaller, and more portable systems that can manage
TVs, laptop computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and other
devices. Polymer films, known as organic light-emitting diodes,
offer brighter images in a flat format screen, as well as wider
viewing angles, lighter weight, improved picture density,
lower power consumption, and longer life. Nanoparticles are
used increasingly in catalysts to boost chemical reactions.
This reduces the quantity of catalytic materials necessary
to produce desired reactions, which in turn saves money
and reduces pollutants. Closer to the gasket and sealing
applications, nanoparticles are being used in tennis balls
to reduce the internal pressure loss through gas migration
through the rubber material. This increases the useable life, or
bounce of the ball, by up to six times.
Sustainable Energy Application
In order to meet the world’s energy demand and the growing
need to protect our environment, scientists are looking into
ways to develop clean, affordable, and renewable energy
sources through the use of nanotechnology derived materials.
Areas of investigation include enzymes to enable conversion
of cellulose into ethanol.
Environmental Remediation Applications
Besides lighter cars and machinery that require less fuel and
alternative fuel and energy sources, there are many eco-
friendly applications for nanotechnology, such as materials
that provide clean water from polluted water sources in both
large-scale and portable applications, and one that detects
and cleans environmental contaminates.
Future Transportation Applications
In addition to contributing to building and maintaining
lighter, smarter, more efficient, and greener vehicles, aircrafts,
and ships, nanotechnology offers various means to improve
the transportation infrastructure. Nano-engineering of steel,
concrete, asphalt, and other materials and their recycled forms,
offer great promise in terms of improving the performance,
resiliency, and longevity of highways and other transportation
infrastructures while reducing their cost. Sensors and devices
may provide cost-effective structural monitoring of bridges,
rails, and pavements.
To summarize, I wrote about this subject because it is a part
of the evolutional development of man and his world. With
the ability to see our world on an atomic scale, it has opened
avenues for exploring materials and devices only dreamed of
in science fiction until just a few decades ago. I am certain that
many of these improvements through this technology have
already been introduced into our field of gasket and sealing
technology through polymer science and surface technology.
Research in the field of the nanoscale has been escalating
during the past ten years. Research costs are high and highly
funded by the governments in both the US and Europe. The
most progressive nanotech industrial areas are currently
information technologies, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
These will continue to garnish the majority of the research
funds for the next few years. In the manufacturing areas,
nanotechnology science has led to machining and drilling
tools which last longer and are stronger, and ceramics which
Nanotechnology(Continued from Page 14)
Continued on page 16
December 2014Page 16
are flexible and are used in automotive applications such as
high-strength springs, ball bearings, and valve lifters. The
technology has also found its use in brake systems and has led
to longer lasting spark plugs.
It is a fast changing technology that should be followed
closely. If it progresses as rapidly as some of the past
technologies (electricity, computers, and medicine), we should
be excited about what may be developed in our industry.
Nanotechnology(Continued from Page 15)
Converting Challenges?Do you have a diecutting, diemaking or gasket fabricating challenge that’s making you scratch your head? TechTeam can help, and using TechTeam is easy! Visit www.gasketfab.com and click on Members Only to submit a question. TechTeam will quickly and confidentially provide unbiased, expert support to save you time, money and materials.
NewsletterThe Gasket Fabricator is published by the GFA and is
distributed to all members and prospective members.
President ...............................................................................Ken Stober
Vice President ........................................................................Ken Eaton
Secretary/Treasurer....................................................Shelby Ricketts
Executive Director..............................................................Peter Lance
Administrative Director/Newsletter Editor...........Brian Schaaf
Communications Committee Chair..............................Gord Sirrs
Long Range Planning Committee Chair...........Terry S. Galanis, Jr.
Marketing Committee Chair...........................................Mark Nye
Membership Committee Chair....................................Keith Crowe
Progam & Locations Committee Chair....................Carol Bowman
Technical Committee Chair...............................................Matt Weiss
Members are encouraged to contribute articles and items of
interest to the Gasket Fabricator. All contributions should be
addressed to: Executive Director, GFA, 994 Old Eagle School
Road, Suite 1019, Wayne, PA 19087-1866, 610-971-4850,
Fax 610-971-4859, E-mail: [email protected].
Articles appearing in this publication may not be
reproduced without written consent from the Association.
Articles appearing in the Gasket Fabricator are the
views of the authors and not necessarily those of the
Association.
© Copyright 2014 Gasket Fabricators Association
December 2014Page 17
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December 2014Page 18
Particle-Filled Silicones for EMI Shielding and Environmental SealingBy: Dominic Testo, Specialty Silicone Products, Inc.
Particle-filled silicones are elastomeric compounds that
combine the advantages of silicone with the electrical
properties of metals. An inert, synthetic rubber, silicone offers
thermal stability over a wide temperature range and resists
ozone and ultraviolet (UV) light. Silicone rubber also resists
water, and can be formulated to impart electrical conductivity.
When filled with tiny metal particles, typically silver-plated
or nickel-coated silicone compounds can be used for
environmental seals that resist electromagnetic interference
(EMI).
EMI shielding is not new, of course, but some fabricators have
concerns about particle-filled silicones. Silicones have desirable
material properties, but loading a high percentage of particle
filler into the rubber in an effort to increase conductivity can
result in negative tradeoffs. Typically, industry professionals
worry that particle filled electrically-conductive silicones are:
• Too hard
• Too brittle
• Too expensive
• Have long lead times
• Limited by mold size dimensions
• Not thin enough for newer, thinner designs
Solving Sealing and Insulation Challenges
Today, a variety of industries are using particle-filled
conductive silicones for EMI shielding and environmental
sealing. Markets such as medical and military electronics and
automotive are demanding, but so are the safety requirements
for the kiosks in factories and various public venues. Are metal-
filled elastomers right for these and other applications? Is it
possible to source particle-filled silicones that are not too hard,
too brittle, too expensive, take too long to produce, or are too
thick?
For fabricators, die cutters, and molders, it is important to
understand that there are next-generation materials that
address these concerns. It is also essential to have the technical
knowledge to answer questions about these materials.
Today, Specialty Silicone Products, Inc. (SSP) supplies a line of
conductive silicone elastomers that are designed specifically
to overcome the most common material challenges. Designed
to balance cost competitiveness with electrical conductivity,
these particle-filled products include uncured moldable
compounds, compression molded sheet stock, and continuous
rolls all ready to be custom-converted by the individual
fabricator.
By understanding the characteristics of these metal-filled
silicones, gasket fabricators can suggest reliable, cost-
effective compounds for sealing and insulation. Then, using
whatever conversion method is most efficient, fabricators
can supply EMI/RFI gaskets that meet demanding application
requirements. Howevever, some industry professionals need
convincing, so let us examine some common objections
to using particle-filled silicones for shielding and sealing.
Along the way, we will look at how next-generation materials
overcome these challenges.
Material Hardness
Conductive silicones do not have to be “too hard”. For good
reason, seal designers worry that a gasket made from a hard
rubber will make an enclosure difficult to close, or allow
the ingress of contaminants, chemicals, or water. Softer seal
materials can improve compression, but it is still essential to
avoid metal-on-metal contact. To address customer requests
and industry complaints about metal-filled elastomers, SSP has
developed ultra-soft silicones as low as 30 Shore A.
These silicones are available with silver-coated or nickel-coated
particles, and combine EMI shielding with environmental
sealing. For example, SSP2426-30 is a 30-durometer silicone
compound that is filled with silver-plated aluminum particles.
SSP502-30 is a 30-durometer nickel-coated, graphite-filled
silicone elastomer. Both particle-filled silicones are supplied
as fully-cured, conductive sheet stock, continuous extrusion
profiles, and ready-to-mold compounds.
Continued on page 19
December 2014Page 19
Tensile Strength and Tear Strength
In addition to concerns about material hardness, some
gasket fabricators believe that particle-filled silicones
are too brittle and will tear easily. When a material lacks
sufficient tensile strength, cutting a small part with a thin
cross-section may result in tearing during packaging or
application. With more expensive compounds, there are also
concerns about the high cost of material waste. Even worse,
a tear during product application can cause the loss of a
conductive seal and allow the entry of RF waves.
To solve these problems, SSP has the capability to reinforce
its EMI/RFI silicones with an inner layer of conductive
fabric that enhances material strength while ensuring
conductivity. Whereas other highly-filled compounds have
an insufficient tear strength, SSP’s nickel-coated graphite-
filled silicones enable thinner, smaller, and lighter weight
EMI/RFI solutions. For example, SSP502-65-032-Composite-
NG is a nickel-coated, graphite-filled elastomer with a tensile
strength of 950 psi and a Tear “B” ppi of 165.
Cost and Performance
Gasket fabricators, die cutters, and molders are concerned
about more than just the material properties of
particle-filled conductive silicones. Cost is an important
consideration, especially in commercial applications.
Compounds that use silver-coated particles provide
excellent shielding effectiveness, but silver is subject to
volatility in the precious metals market. If the price of silver
rises dramatically, an EMI/RFI shielding gasket that costs $15
today could cost several times that amount next year. For
fabricators and their customers who need to manage costs,
such uncertainty is undesirable.
To address these concerns about cost, SSP supplies superior
nickel-coated graphite silicones that have the performance
levels of silver-coated products. For example, the minimum
shielding levels accepted by MIL-DTL-83528C is 100 dB from
20 MHz through 10 GHz. The high performance nickel-
Silicones(Continued from Page 18)
coated graphite formulations averages 115 dB from 20 MHz
through 10 GHz. All third-party testing results are available
upon request. This includes data on corrosion and salt spray.
Size Dimensions/Lead Times
Fabricators understand the importance of size dimensions,
especially with regard to production times and cost. For
example, compression molded sheets can take a long
time to produce. Sheets with different thicknesses require
different tooling, which also adds to costs. To produce
sheets that are longer than the standard 15” to 20” mold
size, bonding or joining are necessary. When evaluating
particle-filled conductive silicones then, gasket fabricators
may choose continuous rolls instead of compression molded
sheet stock.
SSP produces both sheets and rolls at its Ballston Spa, NY
facility, but continuous rolls offer several advantages. First,
since these rolls are produced and cured continuously, SSP
can manufacture 1000 ft. per day, the equivalent of 600
standard 15” x 20” sheets, with short lead times. Fabricators
should consider the roll’s thickness and width, however; and
also ask themselves an important question, “How can we
supply the greatest number of high-quality gaskets with the
least amount of waste?”
Material Thickness
Some fabricators believe that all particle-filled conductive
silicones are too thick, especially because so many consumer
products now feature thinner profiles. Today, “smart
technologies” such as cell phones, computer monitors, and
interfaces feature slim and attractive screens with EMI/RFI
shielding. The same is true of kiosks at amusement parks and
shopping malls, where cell phone traffic can interfere with
electronic displays. Factory kiosks also emit RF waves, and
production workers require protection from daily exposure.
To meet the thickness requirements of these and other
applications, SSP supplies conductive silicones as thin as
.009”. By contrast, other suppliers offer compounds that are,
at a minimum, between .015” and .020” thick. At the same
Continued on page 20
December 2014Page 20
time, and as this technical article explains, SSP’s metal-filled
elastomers are softer, less brittle, more resistant to tearing,
and more-cost effective than other particle-filled silicones.
SSP’s nickel-coated graphite silicones offer the performance
levels of silver-coated products, and the availability of
continuous rolls means that fabricators can order and
receive the quantities they need.
Conclusion
Gasket fabricators need to know that it is possible to
source specialty silicones that are not too hard, too brittle,
too expensive, take too long to produce, or are too thick.
In addition to aerospace, medical, military, automotive,
and consumer electronics, applications for these metal-
filled elastomers include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
shielded rooms and enclosures, and heavy equipment with
global positioning systems (GPS). Now that you know more
about the characteristics of particle-filled silicones, feel free
to educate your contacts and partners in these industries.
Silicones(Continued from Page 19)
The GFA is on Social Media!
Did you know the GFA is now on LinkedIn and Twitter? Take a
few minutes to join our LinkedIn group and follow us on Twitter
so you do not miss any of the valuable discussions taking place!
Gasket Fabricators Association (GFA)
@Gasketfab
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December 2014Page 21
Help Tell the GFA Story!
During the Fall Meeting, the Marketing Committee was
hard at work trying to develop a strategy for promoting the
GFA and attracting new members. Following the advice of
Marketing Consultant Lauron Sonnier, the Committee will be
working on telling the GFA’s story. The Committee decided
that there would be no better way to achieve this goal
than through member testimonials and member success
stories. Any submitted testimonials and success stories
will be featured in GFA promotional material and on the
GFA website. Take a look at some of the examples we have
already received:
I have been a member of the
GFA for some time, and during
that time have seen it evolve from
a narrowly-focused group that
encompassed a small to medium
group of like companies, to a
modern broad-minded organization
that anyone in our industry can
benefit from both monetarily and intellectually. The contacts
and conversations are something my company will benefit
from for years to come. “
- Ken Eaton, Partner
Jacobs & Thompson, Inc.
“
The GFA provides an excellent
forum for networking with fellow
fabricators and material suppliers,
participating in various committees
that connect members with various
interests, and accessing guest
speakers that provide insight into
improving business efficiencies.”
- David Soliday, Vice President Engineering/Sales
Chicago Wilcox Mfg. Co., Inc.
“
The conversations you have at
the Expo can profoundly change
your business. At a recent Expo, I
was explaining to a key supplier
that one of our strategic initiatives
included acquisitions. They put
me in contact with a fabricator
that they knew was looking to sell. That fabricator fit our
criteria and the transaction closed soon thereafter. It has
been a win/win for both parties and it all started with one
conversation at the Expo.”
-Chuck Keeley, President
CGR Products, Inc.
“
I enjoyed the opportunity to
meet a wide variety of colleagues
from within the Gasketing/
Converting industry at the last Expo.
The people that attend are decision
makers for their organizations.“
- Shelby Ricketts, COO
Insul-Fab
“
If you have a great GFA success story, or you would like to provide a testimonial, please contact the
GFA office at [email protected].
December 2014Page 22
Below are the results from the Benchmarking Survey, which was completed to give GFA members a thumbnail sketch of how other members are fairing at this time. The following results were recorded from October 22 - November 18, 2014.
We had 41 out of 94 Fabricators respond.
1. Were sales for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the second quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 28 (68%) 8 (20%) 5 (12%) 2. Were sales for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the third quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 33 (80%) 4 (10%) 4 (10%)
3. Is your projection for the fourth quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the third quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 28 (49%) 8 (20%) 13 (31%)
4. Is your projection for the fourth quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the fourth quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 31 (75%) 4 (10%) 6 (15%)
Benchmarking Report: Fabricators
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1. Fabricators ‐Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Previous Quarter
Series1 Series2 Series3
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Aug12 (42/77)
Dec12 (35/79)
Mar13 (41/78)
Aug13 (31/80)
Dec13 (36/85)
Mar14 (41/85)
Aug14 (37/93)
Dec14 (41/94)
2. Fabricators ‐Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
3. Fabrictors ‐ Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Last Quarter
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Aug12 (42/77)
Dec12 (35/79)
Mar13 (41/78)
Aug13 (31/80)
Dec13 (36/85)
Mar14 (41/85)
Aug14 (37/93)
Dec14 (41/94)
4. Fabrictors ‐ Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
December 2014Page 23
Below are the results from the Benchmarking Survey, which was completed to give GFA members a thumbnail sketch of how other members are fairing at this time. The following results were recorded from October 22 - November 18, 2014.
We had 31 out of 90 Suppliers respond.
1. Were sales for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the second quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 18 (58%) 6 (19%) 7 (23%) 2. Were sales for the third quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the third quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 23 (74%) 4 (13%) 4 (13%)
3. Is your projection for the fourth quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the third quarter of 2014? UP DOWN SAME 17 (55%) 6 (19%) 9 (26%)
4. Is your projection for the fourth quarter of 2014 UP, DOWN, or the SAME compared to the fourth quarter of 2013? UP DOWN SAME 26 (84%) 4 (13%) 1 (3%)
Benchmarking Report: Suppliers
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1. Suppliers ‐Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Previous Quarter
Series1 Series2 Series3
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
3. Suppliers ‐ Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Last Quarter
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Aug12 (45/69)
Dec12 (40/71)
Mar13 (45/73)
Aug13 (33/73)
Dec13 (36/76)
Mar14 (32/80)
Aug14 (37/87)
Dec14 (31/90)
2. Suppliers ‐Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Aug12 (45/69)
Dec12 (40/71)
Mar13 (45/73)
Aug13 (33/73)
Dec13 (36/76)
Mar14 (32/80)
Aug14 (37/87)
Dec14 (31/90)
4. Suppliers ‐ Current Quarter Sales Projections Compared to Same Quarter Last Year
UP DOWN SAME
December 2014Page 24
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