MUNICH, Germany (June 10, 2013) – W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. is announcing the launch of the GORE^® PolyVent XL, a new vent specifically engineered for large outdoor enclosures in challenging environments like those common to the solar, telecommunications and exterior lighting industries. GORE^® PolyVent XL builds on the already existing screw-in GORE^® Protective Vents product portfolio and improves the integrity, reliability and safety of the enclosures in which it is integrated.

“Our ongoing research and testing has showed us that changes in environmental temperatures cause the air inside of hermetically sealed enclosures to expand and contract frequently, which can lead to failure of the enclosure seals and compromised internal electronics” remarked Henning von Lepel, technical project manager at Gore. “Integrating the GORE^® PolyVent XL into large-volume enclosures provides such a high airflow that internal pressure remains equalized, enabling the manufacturer to simplify its design and protect electronics without having to add stronger seals or additional bolts. The use of this unique vent results in substantial cost savings for the manufacturer.”

A breathable membrane ensures the highest airflow

The GORE^® PolyVent XL is specifically designed to protect large outdoor enclosures, specifically those in excess of 200 liters, from the increasing pressure generated by sudden changes in environmental conditions. In some instances, the pressure can exceed as much as 200mbar. This level of internal pressure will put significant stress on seals and enclosure materials, which can cause them to fail and lead to reliability and safety issues.

Engineered with a unique breathable membrane, the GORE^® PolyVent XL equalizes the internal pressure by allowing air to flow freely in and out of the enclosure. At the same time, the GORE^® PolyVent XL prevents liquid, dust, dirt, and other particulates from entering the enclosure.

Total protection at the highest industry standards

The GORE^® PolyVent XL delivers reliable, long-lasting protection even in the harshest environments in compliance with industry standards, including:

• Protection in accordance with the challenging Ingress Protection (IP) 69k standard. The IP69k test addresses protection from high pressure, high temperature water spray.
• Reliable performance in harsh weather conditions with temperatures between -40°C and 125°C, as proven by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 746C ultraviolet test.
• Increase of enclosure life due to the vent’s durable welded cap that enables it to pass the hail impact test specified in the IEC 62108 standard for the solar industry.

Last but not least, after installation in the field, the GORE^® PolyVent XL does not require any maintenance for the life of the electronics and enclosure.

“Our application engineers work closely with our customers’ design teams across various industries worldwide from initial product concept, through rigorous testing, and finally to integrating the vent into the manufacturing process. This strong partnership has proven to be a key ingredient of Gore in order to tailor our products and solutions to meet the customers’ needs. In the long term, this protects their products and brand reputation,” concluded von Lepel.

Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well known for waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX^® fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing components and aerospace electronics. Headquartered in the United States, Gore employs approximately 10,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. In Europe, Gore started its first business operations only a few years after the Enterprise's founding in 1958. Gore now has locations — sales offices as well as production facilities — in the key European countries with around 2,000 associates dedicated to serving the markets of all of Gore's product divisions. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. For several years now, Gore has also been voted one of the best workplaces in Europe and has been ranked on top workplace lists in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Sweden. Learn more at gore.com.

For more information about Gore’s full line of venting products, visit gore.com/protectivevents.