[TowerTalk] AMP Fusion tape for sealing/waterproofing. DAVIS RF Co. input

[TexasRF at aol.com]

Terry, the tape is installed under tension. This makes it grip the  connector 
surface very tightly, filling any voids that might be present.  Wonderful 
stuff and also available from 3M in a linerless version that is even  easier to 
install. Home Depot carries this version. An over coating with a  couple of 
layers of cheap vinyl tape takes care of any UV issues.
 
73, Gerald K5GW
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 2/18/2008 12:14:57 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
terry at kk6t.com writes:

I guess  I'm a little dense.  If this tape "only sticks to itself" how 
does  this create a waterproof and/or moisture proof package?  What's to  
stop moisture from migrating up under the tape at the junction with the  
substrate (coax, whatever)?

73 de Terry KK6T

Steve Davis  -Davis RF Co. wrote:
> Regarding  AMP Fusion Tape, I prefer that to  any other waterproofing (vs. 
moisture proof) tape or adhesive backed (water  proof) heat shrink (usually 
only 2/1 and 3/1), due to no heat required, no  application before soldering or 
joining.   You can dispense with  "marine electrical goop" (which needs 
overlaid wrap to avoid cracking from UV  ...then the overlay wrap needs to be UV 
resist) or "sealing in mayonnaise  jars", etc, etc.
> Descriptive info from Dan Barnes (automotive  engr):  "Heat-shrink tubing.. 
is limited to the sizes on hand, and can  adjust to a limited range of 
diameters. Plus, it takes heat to install, which  is not always desirable. 
Self-fusing tape achieves the ideal at which  self-adhesive electrical tape aims.
>
> With AMP Fusion  self-fusing tape, there is no separate adhesive, so there 
can be no shmoo  (edit: mess). The tape bonds to itself. My understanding is, 
polymer bonds are  broken when the material is stretched. When it is wrapped 
around itself, it is  just as easy to reform those bonds with the material in 
the adjacent layer of  tape as within the original layer. Thus, the wrapping 
becomes a single,  homogeneous mass. The result is almost like dipping the 
connection in plastic,  but the process is dry, free of mess, and happens at room 
temperature.  Removing it, if necessary, is just like removing any other 
insulation, since  it sticks only to itself.  (edit:  Use a straight safety razor  
blade, or Exacto knife to cut a line down one side and peel off)."  end  quote
>
> Contrary to some of the descrip's that suppliers  indicate, this tape is 
more than "moisture proof".  AMP has assured me  that it is "waterproof" (to no 
specified immersion depth) and my marine  electrical  customers use it in 
bilges, etc., therein water (two  overcoats vs. one, for low voltage  DC 
applications, but , for liability  reasons, WARNING:  I must say that a user must 
obtain from AMP a written  spec before submersion for any application and this spec 
from AMP does not  exist at present..... bear with me gentlemen......, if I 
characterize its  waterproof aspect by the marine guys' immersed use, then some 
CB'r (ham  wannabe of course) monitoring TT will seal his barrel joint from 
his RG58 to  RG217 with this tape, then lay the cable through his father's 
tropical fish  pond, turn on the high amp alternators and 10 kW RF, causing a fish 
fry as  well as executing the neighbors in their swimming pools).  HI  
>
> Easy to use:  you just peel off the backing, stretch it  and apply....it is 
NOT sticky or messy!  Simple instructions come with it  from us.   You can 
find this fusion tape, and 3M33+ (flame/U.V.  resistant electrical tape) on our 
web site at   http://www.davisrf.com/coaxseal.php
>
>      Hope  this is of some help!
>
> 73,  Steve Davis, K1PEK   DAVIS RF Co. 
>
> sdavis at DavisRF.com
>
>  978-369-1738                   
>
> ~ Davis RF Co., Div. of Orion  Wire Co.,Inc.
> Distribution to numerous industries,  Andrew  
> Heliax; Times Microwave LMR; RFS Celwave and others.
> Cable  design engineering. RF Peripherals.
> www.DavisRF.com
> Tel:  1-800-328-4773 (1-800-DAVIS RF) Tech'l: 1-978-369-
> 1738, Fax:  1-978-369-3484 
>
>
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