Understanding sealing material options is critical for components operating in a demanding environment where failure is costly. 

That’s exactly what led one headlight housing manufacturer to search the market for a material that would hold tight in a high-heat application.

To prevent water penetration between the headlight housing cap and the body, the customer explored both EPDM and silicone material options.

Customizing the design

The company ultimately selected a sponge-silicone specifically formulated by Cooper Standard ISG for the application.

The material’s low-compression set meant that it could respond to the expansion and contraction of the housing’s more temperature sensitive polypropylene components.

In addition, Cooper Standard ISG engineers re-evaluated the company's proposed design to ensure the seal did not inhibit the assembly of the housing cap.

This custom silicone seal was then tested to meet the specifications of a major automotive manufacturer so that it could be expanded across other product lines.

The success of the project highlights how Cooper Standard ISG’s material development capabilities and engineering support can solve your unique project challenges.

Learn more about which material is right for your application.