GE sealants: which to use?

[Wavebourn]

I was going to use a sealant to glue some heavy parts on my PCB, but don't know which sealant to use. I bought 3 types of Silicone-II that could find in Home Depot:

GE281
GE284
GE500

I tried to find an information on www.askgesa.com but my Avira warned me that the site contains a virus that tries to infect my computer each time I click on their links.

Which one leaves less of acid? Is one of them safe to use, or no one?

[wrenchone]

All of these you mention appear to evolve ammonia rather than acetic acid. GC sells an electronic grade silicone that is probably available from the usual suspects and would probably work better. I read a report about a servo motor that stopped working when fastened in place with one of the silicones you mentioned, but that may have been due to user stupidity rather than the silicone.

I often use hot melt to glue down large components - shorter drying time. The cream -colored stuff sold by Stanley for wood, etc is gooey enough to stick to most anything, and stays semiflexible, but with good damping factor. I also use it around wire leads for strain relief.

[Frank Berry]

I've used "Goop" for years.
When it comes out of the tube, it flows easily and cures to a tight bond. It's also crystal clear.

[Andrewbee]

I second the Goop vote. It really is very good and use it all the time. There are several different types E.G. Shoe Goop but I use Plumbers Goop.

[BillEpstein]

Goop is contact adhesive and the devil to release for removing components. I use GE Silicone II and have had good results w/o damage to both metal and plastic covered parts over a period of years.

[jackinnj]

Originally posted by Wavebourn
I was going to use a sealant to glue some heavy parts on my PCB, but don't know which sealant to use. I bought 3 types of Silicone-II that could find in Home Depot:

GE281
GE284
GE500

Woooaahh, woooaaahhhh -- try 3M 3779 Hot Melt Adhesive -- specifically made for this purpose, i.e. tacking down electronic components in high temperature applications and potting electronic components -- you can get it from digikey, their p/n 3M6422-ND

The product was mentioned on the HP/Agilent Yahoo Group -- you'll need a 5/8 hot-melt applicator/gun not the thing your kids use to glue down macaroni on the mother's day presents.

[Jeffrey Davison]

Highly recomended for electronics...
Dow Corning 738
Food safe (once cured), and more importantly non-corrocsive.
Some sealants out gas and the gas is corrosive to electronic parts.
So use other sealants with caution.... Dow Corning 738 you will NOT have to worry about.

Jeff Davison

[Wavebourn]

Thank you a lot for your suggestions!

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