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Hul Tytus Hul Tytus is offline
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Default Bonding epoxy to PVC for water proofing

Home Depot, a monster hardware store, has a dip type of elastic
encapsulent in a spray can. I bought a can and sprayed it on an empty pcb
and it looked good and felt slightly flexible. The can is now patiently
awaiting further testing.

Two part polyurethane might work also. Mix it and apply with a paint
brush. No idea how either of these handles immersion in water but it would
be nice to hear...

Hul


Aussie wrote:
I'm playing around potting some electronics for immersion in water up to
10 metres.


A cable with a polyethylene sheath and PVC insulated wires connected to
a circuit board are embedded in some rigid setting epoxy.



I know I'm not going to get the epoxy to adhere to the polyethylene.


What can I do to enhance the bond between the epoxy and the PVC wire
insulation to keep the water from wicking along the wire to the circuit
board?



I've read that brushing with PVC pipe glue primer (MEK) can help, as
well as flame treating.


Flame treating is impractical as the job is too small & tight to get
into the area where the PVC insulation is.





Any suggestions?


Is the MEK priming likely to help?


Perhaps painting on some sort of low viscosity RTV silicone that might
form an intermediary seal?