Composite seal consisting of rubber or plastic washers and a metal washer reduces alkaline battery leakage. Adhesive is applied to each washer interface, and the washers are held together mechanically

Clatterbuck, C. H.

Plitt, K. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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September 1965	 Brief 65-10271 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued by the Technology Utilization Division to summarize specific 
technical innovations derived from the space program. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia, 22151. 
Composite Seal Reduces Alkaline Battery Leakage
Washers 
The problem: To reduce leakage through alkaline 
battery seals. Present seals frequently develop leaks 
or fail under reduced pressure because the adhesive 
fails. A plastic sealant such as epoxy resin may be 
applied to critical areas of a seal, but even such a 
sealant cannot withstand the erosive action of caustic 
electrolyte for prolonged periods. 
The solution: A composite seal consisting of rubber 
or plastic insulating washers and a metal washer, all 
held together mechanically. An adhesive is applied at 
each washer interface. 
How it's done: The insulating washers may be 
made of materials such as polypropylene nonwoven 
fabric or neoprene rubber sheet. An adhesive is
applied to each of the four interface surfaces between 
the metal and insulating materials. The adhesive 
should be the same material used to impregnate the 
polypropylene fabric if that is the insulator used. In 
the case of the neoprene rubber sheet as insulator, 
sheet epoxy, urethane, or neoprene adhesives should 
be applied. When the sheet adhesive is used with neo-
prene, the components are assembled dry and heated 
in an oven to cure the adhesive. 
Notes: 
I. Because this design provides positive sealing on 
both sides of the battery case, it is not affected 
by pressure differentials in either direction. 
2. Seals using various combinations of insulating 
washers and adhesives were cyclically tested in 
(continued overleol) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19650000269 2020-03-11T17:19:33+00:00Z
caustic electrolyte at pressures up to 1,000 psig. 
Most seals retained their integrity for at least 52 
weeks. 
Because of simplicity of design, this seal can be 
produced by low-cost, production line methods. 
Inquiries concerning this invention may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771 
Reference: B-65-10271
Patent status: NASA encourages the immediate 
commercial use of this invention. It was invented 
by NASA employees and a patent application has 
been filed. Inquiries concerning license rights may be 
made directly to the inventors, Mr. Karl F. Plitt and 
Mr. Carroll H. Clatterbuck at Goddard Space Flight 
Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771. 
Source: (GSFC-337)
. Brief 65-10271	 Categories 01,03


Composite seal reduces alkaline battery leakage

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