ELKTON, Md. (January 26, 2016) – W. L. Gore & Associates announces the launch of the GORE Acoustic Vent GAW333 – a smaller, smarter way to improve handset acoustics while maintaining IPX8 immersion protection and IP6X particle protection.

With an inner diameter as small as 1.5 mm, the new GAW333 packs a lot of performance into a very small vent, to offer greater design flexibility to handset developers.

“In engineering our new GAW333, we focused on the characteristics our customers require to excel,” said Oliver Teller, Product Specialist for GORE® Portable Electronic Vents. “Handset designs require the challenging combination of ever-smaller vents…with brilliant audio while achieving IPX8 ingress protection. That’s what GAW333 delivers: an incredibly small format with improved acoustics, and exceptional water protection. In terms of technology, this little vent is actually a pretty big deal!”

Uncompromising acoustic quality

GAW333 delivers robust sound performance, with the lowest acoustic attenuation of any IPX8 GORE Acoustic Vent. As measured with a MEMS microphone system, a GAW333 vent with an inner diameter of 1.8 mm exhibits very low transmission loss: typically around 2 dB at 1 kHz.

“The acoustic quality of any vent is a function of its size, the materials of its construction, and its IP rating,” said Yasuhiro Kurihara, a product development expert at Gore. “Although the new GAW333 is very small, it has great acoustic quality. That is possible because this vent uses a special 100% ePTFE GORE™ Membrane that has been designed to reduce acoustic loss, and transducer bias.”

Robust venting and exceptional ingress protection

“The acoustic quality of any vent is a function of its size, the materials of its construction, and its IP rating,” said Yasuhiro Kurihara, a product development expert at Gore. “Although the new GAW333 is very small, it has great acoustic quality. That is possible because this vent uses a special 100% ePTFE GORE™ Membrane that has been designed to reduce acoustic loss, and transducer bias.”

Available in standard sizes, this hydrophobic white acoustic vent incorporates a durable acrylic adhesive that maintains a secure, watertight bond to the component in temperatures ranging from -40 to 85° C.

Custom product sizes are also available from Gore…the global innovator in venting technology and acoustic quality.

For more information about GORE^® Portable Electronic Vents products, visit www.gore.com/portableelectronics or call 1-800-523-4673 (USA).

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. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs approximately 10,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. 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. The company also appears regularly on similar lists around the world. Learn more at gore.com.