CIP & FIP Gasketing
for Modern Manufacturing
Liquid gasketing technology that replaces die-cut gaskets with automated, precision-dispensed sealing — from electronics enclosures and EV battery packs to automotive powertrain and EMI shielding.
What is Liquid Gasketing?
A gasket is a sealing layer placed between two mating surfaces to prevent the leakage of liquids, gases, dust, or electromagnetic interference. For decades, manufacturers used pre-cut rubber, cork, or PTFE die-cut gaskets — but these require inventory, manual placement, and rarely conform perfectly to complex 3D geometries.
Liquid gasketing (also called dispensed gasketing) replaces die-cut parts with a robotically applied bead of curable liquid sealant — silicone, polyurethane, or polyurethane foam. The bead is dispensed, then cured either before (CIPG) or after (FIPG) the parts are joined. The result is a custom-fit seal on every part — with zero gasket inventory, full automation compatibility, and superior sealing performance on irregular surfaces.
Liquid Gasket vs. Die-Cut & Pre-Formed Gaskets
Die-cut and pre-formed (molded / extruded) gaskets have served industry well for decades — but for high-volume, high-precision, or complex-geometry assemblies, liquid gasketing now delivers measurably better results across cost, quality, and production throughput.
The Numbers: Measurable Benefits of Switching to Liquid Gasketing
Manufacturers who replace die-cut gaskets with liquid gasketing typically report the following operational improvements:
Sources: Graco liquid gasketing application reports; ASSEMBLY Magazine industry case studies. Actual savings depend on part geometry, volume, and current production setup — contact Gluditec for an application-specific assessment.
When Is Liquid Gasketing the Better Choice?
✓ Choose Liquid Gasketing when…
- Production volume is medium to high (10,000+ parts/year) and you need automation.
- The mating surface has complex 3D geometry, elevation changes, or tight curves.
- You need IP67, IP68, or IP69K sealing — not just dust protection.
- The seal must double as an EMI shield for electronics enclosures.
- You want to eliminate gasket inventory and tooling lead times.
- Part design is still iterating — dispensing programs update instantly.
Stay with Die-Cut Gasket when…
- Production volume is very low (prototypes, replacement parts).
- Mating surfaces are flat, simple flanges with no 3D complexity.
- The gasket must be field-replaceable by an end user without tools.
- Capital investment in dispensing equipment is not justified by volume.
- Design is fully mature and unchanging — die tooling pays off over long runs.
CIP vs FIP Gasket — Side-by-Side
Both CIPG and FIPG are dispensed liquid gaskets — but the curing sequence and bonding behavior lead to very different performance profiles. Use this table to identify which technology fits your application.
| Criteria | CIP Gasket (Cured-In-Place) | FIP Gasket (Formed-In-Place) |
|---|---|---|
| Cure timing | Before assembly | After assembly |
| Bonding behavior | Bonds to one surface only | Bonds to both mating surfaces |
| Serviceability | ✓ Disassemblable, reusable seal | ✗ Permanent — destructive disassembly |
| Open-time pressure | None — cured bead can be stored | Limited window before skin-over |
| Pressure resistance | Low – medium (compression seal) | Medium – high (chemical bond) |
| Groove required | Usually yes (controls compression) | Not required — adapts to surface |
| Typical curing | UV, heat, or 2K (fast) | Moisture, heat, or 2K |
| Common materials | Silicone, polyurethane (foamed or solid) | RTV silicone, anaerobic, PU, PU foam |
| Automation | Very high — decoupled from assembly | High — but requires synchronized line |
| Typical applications | ECU covers, lighting, sensors, EMI enclosures | Engine covers, gearbox, battery housings, outdoor enclosures |
| Equipment cost | Higher (cure station required) | Lower (simpler line) |
When to choose which technology?
Choose CIP Gasket when…
- The product must be opened for service — battery swap, sensor calibration, repair.
- You need high-mix, high-volume production with decoupled dispensing and assembly stations.
- UV-curable material is acceptable — short cycle times are critical.
- The mating design has a groove or channel that controls compression.
- The application requires EMI shielding with a removable cover (conductive CIPG).
Choose FIP Gasket when…
- You need a permanent, leak-proof seal with no expectation of disassembly.
- The assembly must survive high internal pressure, vibration, or thermal cycling.
- Mating surfaces are complex 3D geometry with no groove possible.
- You need to seal large enclosures with cushioning — choose FIPFG (foam).
- The enclosure requires EMI shielding on welded or non-serviceable housings.
Industries We Serve
Gasketing is mission-critical wherever an enclosure has to keep something in — or something out. Gluditec gasketing solutions are deployed across the following segments.
Automotive
ECUs, headlamp housings, sensor modules, powertrain covers — both CIPG and FIPG depending on serviceability needs.
EV & New Energy
Battery pack lids, BMS enclosures, on-board chargers. FIPFG dominates for IP67 / IP69K sealing with cushioning.
Consumer Electronics
Smartphone & wearable housings, IoT gateways, smart-home devices — CIPG for serviceability and clean aesthetics.
Telecom & 5G
Outdoor base-station enclosures, RF shields. FIP EMI gaskets combine sealing and electromagnetic shielding in one bead.
LED Lighting
Outdoor LED fixtures, automotive headlamps, signage. CIPG provides reliable IP65+ sealing with optical clarity at the bond line.
Industrial & Appliance
Control cabinets, motors, white goods, HVAC. Gasketing reduces field-failure rates and replaces costly molded rubber parts.
Explore Gluditec Gasketing Solutions
Dive deeper into the technology that fits your application. Each category page includes material datasheets, dispensing equipment options, and sample request forms.
CIP Gasket
UV- and heat-curable silicones and polyurethanes for serviceable enclosures, ECUs, sensors, and LED modules.
Explore CIPG →
FIP Gasket — FIPFG & EMI
Polyurethane foam (FIPFG) for IP69K sealing and electrically conductive EMI gaskets for shielding enclosures.
Explore FIPG →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CIPG and FIPG?
CIPG (Cured-In-Place Gasket) is dispensed and fully cured before assembly; the cured bead bonds to one side only and seals through compression when the cover is closed. FIPG (Formed-In-Place Gasket) is dispensed and the parts are assembled immediately, curing in situ; the sealant bonds to both surfaces creating a permanent seal. CIPG enables serviceability — FIPG delivers maximum bond strength.
Is liquid gasketing better than die-cut rubber gaskets?
For most modern applications, yes. Liquid gasketing eliminates gasket inventory, conforms perfectly to 3D geometry, supports full automation, and typically delivers more consistent sealing performance than manually placed die-cut parts. Die-cut gaskets remain competitive for very simple, flat, low-volume applications.
Can a FIP gasket be disassembled or reopened?
Not without damage. FIPG bonds chemically to both mating surfaces, so opening the assembly typically tears the gasket and requires re-dispensing. If your design requires future disassembly (e.g. for repair or battery replacement), CIPG is the correct choice.
What materials are used for liquid gaskets?
The most common chemistries are RTV silicones (excellent temperature range, -70 °C to +260 °C), polyurethanes (high toughness and abrasion resistance), polyurethane foams (used in FIPFG for cushioning + sealing), and anaerobic sealants (high-pressure metal-to-metal seals). Electrically conductive silicones are used for EMI gaskets.
What is FIPFG (Form-In-Place Foam Gasket)?
FIPFG is a variant of FIPG that uses a two-component polyurethane foam. As the foam expands and cures, it creates a soft, compressible gasket with excellent compression-set behavior — ideal for sealing large covers on EV battery packs, outdoor telecom enclosures, and HVAC cabinets where IP67 or IP69K is required.
How do EMI gaskets work?
An EMI gasket is a conductive gasket — typically a silicone loaded with silver, silver-plated aluminum, or nickel-graphite particles. It both seals the enclosure against dust/moisture and provides a continuous electrical path between the housing and the cover, attenuating electromagnetic interference. Gluditec offers EMI gaskets in both CIP and FIP formats.
Which curing method should I choose — UV, heat, or moisture?
UV cure is fastest (seconds) and ideal for high-throughput CIPG lines, but the bead must be exposed to UV light. Heat cure works for shadowed geometry but adds an oven step. Moisture cure requires no equipment but cures slowly (hours). Many silicones are now dual-cure (UV + moisture) — fast set with full deep-section cure.
What IP rating can liquid gaskets achieve?
With proper material selection and groove or bead design, liquid gasketing routinely achieves IP65, IP67, IP68, and IP69K. FIPFG foam gaskets are typical for IP67 / IP69K on large covers; CIPG silicones reach IP67 with well-controlled compression.
Do I need a special dispensing robot for CIPG or FIPG?
Yes — repeatable liquid gasketing requires precise bead control. Gluditec supplies complete dispensing platforms: gantry or arm robots, single- and two-component mixing systems, and inline curing (UV or heat). Selection depends on bead diameter, tact time, part size, and material chemistry.
How does liquid gasketing compare in cost to die-cut gaskets?
On a per-part basis, liquid gasketing material is typically 30–60 % cheaper than die-cut gaskets, before accounting for inventory savings, scrap reduction, and labor. Equipment investment is recovered within months on most automated production lines processing 50,000+ parts per year.
Why Gluditec for Gasketing?
Most suppliers sell either material or equipment. Gluditec delivers a fully integrated gasketing solution — formulation, dispensing system, curing, and process engineering — backed by 11+ years of expertise and local support across Southeast Asia.
Custom Material Formulation
In-house R&D with DSC, TGA, FTIR and GPC instruments. We tailor viscosity, cure speed, hardness, and conductivity to your exact production requirements.
Integrated Dispensing Equipment
1K and 2K precision dispensing systems, gantry/arm robotics, inline UV and heat curing — all engineered to work seamlessly with Gluditec gasketing materials.
In-House Lab & Sample Testing
Bring your part to our demo lab. We dispense, cure, and validate sealing performance on your actual geometry before you commit to production tooling.
Regional Engineering Support
Technical engineers on the ground across Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and beyond — for installation, training, and process optimization.
Not sure which gasketing solution fits your application?
Talk to a Gluditec gasketing engineer. We'll help you select the right material, design the right bead, and validate sealing on your part — at no cost.
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