Pre-Formed Moisture Barrier Material for Irregular Surface Sealing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional moisture barrier tapes struggle to effectively seal irregularly shaped surfaces, such as brackets and recessed channels in aircraft, requiring high-temperature heating and manual shaping, which is dangerous and time-consuming, and lack sufficient elasticity for consistent application.

Innovation Solution

A moisture barrier material with enhanced elasticity, allowing pre-forming into custom shapes using heat, eliminating the need for on-site heating and manual shaping, and featuring a carrier, adhesive, and a peelable liner for safer and faster application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional moisture barrier tape is used on irregular surfaces, then the sealing effectiveness deteriorates, but using heat gun and manual shaping improves the seal quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidapplication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture barrier material is pre-formed into custom shapes that match the target surface geometry before application. This preliminary shaping eliminates the need for on-site heat gun treatment and manual contouring, while ensuring optimal sealing contact with irregular surfaces such as brackets and drainage channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier material's physical properties are modified to achieve superior elasticity and deformability. The material can be stretched and contoured to match complex geometries, then maintains its shaped form during application, providing consistent sealing pressure and contact without requiring additional heating or manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If heat gun is used to shape conventional tape, then the tape can be formed to brackets, but the process becomes dangerous and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontouring capabilityVSAvoidapplication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture barrier material is pre-formed into custom shapes that match the target surface geometry before application. This preliminary shaping eliminates the need for on-site heat gun treatment and manual contouring, while ensuring optimal sealing contact with irregular surfaces such as brackets and drainage channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The high-temperature thermal field (heat gun) is replaced with a mechanical pre-forming process. The material is shaped using mechanical forces and elastic deformation at lower temperatures, eliminating safety hazards and reducing application time while achieving the same contouring effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional carrier material is used, then the tape can be applied, but it lacks elasticity for good deformation into desired shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoidcarrier material strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier material's physical properties are modified to achieve superior elasticity and deformability. The material can be stretched and contoured to match complex geometries, then maintains its shaped form during application, providing consistent sealing pressure and contact without requiring additional heating or manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture barrier material uses a composite construction with a specially engineered carrier that combines high elasticity with sufficient structural strength. This composite structure allows the material to deform into complex shapes while maintaining integrity and providing consistent sealing pressure during and after application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The material enables safer, faster, and more consistent sealing of non-planar surfaces by allowing pre-formed custom shapes, reducing application time and eliminating the need for high-temperature heating, thus improving safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive, and a stretchable liner covering at least a portion of the adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the moisture barrier material of the present disclosure has more elasticity and is easier to shape with heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

it can be pre-formed in a custom shape using heat in advance of application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal softening: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS12473461B2Moisture barrier material

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 NITTO CO LTD

AI summary

A moisture barrier material including a carrier, an adhesive layer formed on at least one surface of the carrier, and a release treated liner, wherein the moisture barrier material has a non-planar shape.