GORE® Vents manage the internal pressure in mobile and outdoor electronics enclosures, packaging, and automotive components - supporting long service life, increasing reliability, and preventing deformations that could cause component failure.
Enclosures and containers are vulnerable. Vulnerable to failed seals, condensation and contamination. Vulnerable to leakage and structural failure.
How likely is an enclosure or container to fail? All it takes is a change in internal pressure that stresses seals. Even a change in temperature or altitude could cause a pressure change, or it could happen because the contents of a container outgas or scavenge oxygen. In the case of mobile devices, enclosures could fail if they’re inadequately protected against liquids, dust and other environmental factors. Whatever the cause, the result could damage a product’s performance and integrity, or even lead to an expensive product failure or significant clean-up.
GORE Vents keep the worst from happening. They allow enclosures and containers to breathe, equalizing pressure and reducing condensation while filtering out liquids and other contaminants. The result: greater product performance, increased durability, higher reliability and peace of mind.
Explore our "App Map" to see dozens of venting applications.
Gore has paired our technological expertise - particularly in ePTFE, a highly durable and breathable material - with our understanding of venting requirements for automotive components, mobile devices, packaging, outdoor electronics and other devices.
Depending on the application, our vents can:
We design each vent specifically for its application. Once the vent is built, we thoroughly test it in real-world conditions. As a result, vents are designed to perform to specifications - the first time and every time - and deliver outstanding service life.
Vulnerabilities can lead to product failures, customer dissatisfaction and worse. Manufacturers depend on Gore to deliver venting solutions so they, and their products, can breathe easy.
Typical Applications
Automotive, Electronics, Packaging, Portable Electronic Devices, Printing
Performance Notes
Optimal combination of performance characteristics, plus long service life for high value-in-use. Can be easily installed.
Typical Applications
Automotive, Semiconductors, Electronics, Optics, Packaging, MEMS, Switches
Performance Notes
Expensive. Difficult to service. Vulnerable to pressure fluctuations due to temperature changes.
Typical Applications
Water and Sewage Processing, Mining, Power Generation, Oil, Gas and Petroleum Processing, Packaging, Food Manufacturing, Chemical and Plastic Manufacturing
Performance Note
Can let devices breathe, but are vulnerable to mechanical failure; often can become stuck. Only work in one direction at a given activation pressure. Can keep fluids in or let them out.
Typical Applications
Automotive, Electronics, Packaging, Portable Electronic Devices, Printing
Performance Notes
Equalizes pressure but allows full access to water, dust, dirt, debris and insects.
Typical Application
Automotive, Electronics
Performance Notes
Inexpensive. Foam insert blocks larger particulates, but ineffective at blocking water and small particulates. Convective flow is difficult to ensure in early design stages.
Typical Applications
Automotive, Electronics
Performance Notes
Relatively inexpensive. Contaminants and fluid can become trapped in the cap and hinder airflow needed for pressure equalization.
Typical Applications
Automotive, Electronics
Performance Notes
Blocks contaminants, but can correspondingly reduce airflow and restrict pressure equalization, especially when liquids become trapped in the cap.
Typical Applications
Electronics
Performance Notes
Cannot equalize pressures since mechanically stable compound can neither expand nor contract. Can be prone to quality issues due to filling process. Compound may crack and trap water in the cracks. Thermal cycles may damage components.
Typical Applications
Portable Electronic Devices
Performance Notes
Inexpensive. Single-layer grid only blocks particles larger than holes in mesh; smaller particles can easily enter and contaminate transducers.
Typical Applications
Portable Electronic Devices
Performance Notes
Inexpensive. Not breathable; cannot equalize pressures or prevent condensation. Fragile; embrittles easily. Vulnerable to UV degradation and thermal shock.
Typical Applications
Portable Electronic Devices
Performance Notes
Excellent immersion protection. Fails to equalize pressure distortions on front and back side of housing; creates transducer bias, which degrades sound quality and transducer performance.
Typical Applications
Electronics, Packaging
Performance Notes
Not breathable. Can’t vent device-generated heat, or equalize pressures caused by sudden changes in temperature/altitude. Vulnerable to seal failure and ingress of water/contaminants.
Typical Applications
Packaging
Performance Notes
Increased durability, with increased manufacturing and shipping costs. No pressure equalization, which can cause even “ruggedized” containers to panel, bloat and leak.
Typical Applications
Automotive, Electronics, Packaging, Portable Electronic Devices, Printing
Performance Notes
Relatively inexpensive. Completely open system allows contaminants to enter. Contaminants trapped in pathways block airflow and hinder pressure equalization.
Smaller size, proven durability, predictable airflow. For small under-hood electronic enclosures.
Each application has its own set of challenges, such as exposure to temperature changes, environmental conditions like water, dust, dirt and debris or even contact with automotive fluids including urea solutions, car wash fluids, and lubricants. Without the correct venting solution in place, these challenges can impact reliability and durability.
OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers worldwide turn to Gore for advanced automotive venting solutions for gas-powered, hybrid and electric vehicle applications. Our ePTFE vents rapidly equalize pressure variations caused by temperature changes while providing a reliable barrier to particulates, debris, water and automotive fluids. More reliable venting performance can reduce the need for heavier housings, seals and gaskets, so component design is less complex, manufacturing costs and time to market is reduced, and global cross-platform integration is simplified.
At Gore, we provide manufacturers with thorough partnership that includes finding the right solution to their challenges and testing our vents to ensure they meet or exceed industry standards and perform to specifications.
We can rapidly integrate a venting solution into your finished product or work with you to create a custom solution. By pairing our ePTFE venting expertise with unwavering standards for performance, we can help you to maintain the integrity of your products for the long term.
| Control Units | |
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Vents from Gore are used by OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers worldwide in their electronic control units. Our vents are engineered to handle severe temperature and pressure fluctuations, so they provide lasting protection in harsh automotive environments. |
| Sensors | |
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GORE Vents for automotive sensors are performance-tested and qualified in the lab, on the vehicle and in the field. They reliably protect against failure-inducing operating conditions and contaminants, to protect sensors’ integrity and accuracy. |
| Motors | |
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Our vents help electronic motors function reliably and durably – just as the designer intended, and just as the customer demands. These venting solutions are designed to optimize motor performance, and to minimize warranty claims. |
| Hybrid and Electric Vehicles | |
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Hybrid and electric vehicle components are exposed to harsh operating conditions, and high operating temperatures. GORE Vents address those challenges effectively, to enhance component reliability and service-life. |
| Headlamps | |
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Patented automotive headlamp vents from Gore are designed to protect headlamp assemblies from water ingress, dust, fluids, and environmental contaminants in all regions of the world. |
| Fog Lamps | |
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Our vents effectively manage extreme differentials in temperature, humidity and pressure, so fog lamps are better protected from environmental contaminants and conditions that may cause premature failure. |
| Rear Lamps and Specialty Lamps | |
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GORE Vents for rear and specialty (CHMSL) lamps provide pressure equalization and condensation reduction in all climates. Our vents’ design and durability improves the longevity and appearance of clear lens rear lamp assemblies. |
| Drivetrain and Driveline Components | |
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GORE Vents can solve the challenges inherent in designing, routing and installing venting for axles, limited slip couplings, power transfer units and transfer cases across global platforms. |
| Fluid Reservoirs | |
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Automotive fluid reservoir vents from Gore effectively manage pressure differentials, and resist contamination that can degrade reservoir performance. |
| Electronic Power Steering Systems | |
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GORE Vents keep steering system components performing more reliably over time, because they provide rapid pressure equalization and durable ingress protection in the harshest environments. |
When containers filled with active formulations are not ventilated properly, serious consequence could occur — like bloated or collapsed containers, misaligned pallets, ruined labels and leaks, not to mention costly cleanups and dissatisfied customers.
Risks are even greater when containers are stored, transported or distributed, exposing them to a wide range of altitudes and temperatures that can destabilize pressure and even cause containers to burst. For industrial chemicals and cleaners, agricultural products and household chemicals and cleaners, leaks and ruptures could cause real harm to both users and the environment — unless the containers are properly vented.
Gore’s packaging vents minimize these risks by:
At Gore, we insist on failure-free performance. Our vents are subjected to extensive quality control tests, including thorough camera inspections, to ensure the vent is fit for its use. Additionally, we provide vents that meet the stringent ADR and DOT standards.
Unlike other suppliers, whose vents might clog the membrane or even leak, we provide proven solutions that optimize the safety and compliance of packaging.
What gives our packaging vents their superior performance qualities is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), the remarkably versatile polymer at the heart of our products.
Gore is the world leader in understanding ePTFE and its capabilities. For each implementation, we use the GORE™ Membrane to engineer an ePTFE membrane structure with a variety of different properties tailored for both the liquid and its container.
Unlike competitors’ membranes, Gore's membranes are designed specifically for packaging venting applications where uncompromising leak protection and pressure equalization are critical. The GORE™ Membrane has excellent roll-off, so it easily “sheds” liquid and allows continuous airflow. Other membranes, while offering adequate initial airflow, experience poor roll-off when exposed to low surface tension liquids. Such liquids clings to and clog those membranes, reducing airflow and potentially causing serious damage.
This membrane has poor roll-off properties, enabling liquid to clog the membrane and reduce airflow.
The Gore membrane has excellent roll-off properties. Liquid easily drains off the membrane, allowing continuous airflow.
The ePTFE membranes in Gore’s packaging vents continually release gases while repelling liquid effectively. The result: containers that more reliably protect their contents during shipment and storage.
Now top-rated for mechanical impact resistance.
* IK10 rating applies to this GORE® Vent, not the device.
Harsh environments can decrease the performance reliability and lifespan of sensitive outdoor electronic equipment. Manufacturers and fabricators know that high-performance venting can be the key to improved profitability and product value.
Gore, the global leader in venting technology and expertise, offers a full range of venting solutions engineered to improve the performance reliability and longevity of outdoor electronics.
In lighting, solar and telecommunications systems, and in heavy machinery, transportation or security/surveillance equipment, GORE Protective Vents:
A choice of adhesive, screw-in and snap-in constructions offer production flexibility, and easy integration into any enclosure. For custom venting solutions, Gore can partner with you on everything from initial design to production-line integration.
Leading portable electronic device OEMs collaborate with Gore on innovative venting solutions for everything from high-volume consumer products to ruggedized industrial or mil-spec devices. Gore, the global leader in portable electronic venting, offers custom engineering support and standard products to deliver improved acoustic quality and more reliable environmental protection from liquids, dust, and pressure changes.
Unparalleled acoustic performance.
Even at extremely small part size.
Press Release
Posted October 9, 2018
Event
October 9, 2018 - October 10, 2018
Featured Story
Posted October 4, 2018
Headlamp condensation is a recurring evil for the automotive lighting industry. It will become even more of a challenge as the industry moves to full-LED headlamps, because existing venting solutions can only reduce –not sustainably prevent– such condensation.
