Hermetically Sealed RF Against Moisture Ingress
RF Assemblies That Lock Out Moisture — From First Flight to Final Day
Gore Vapor Sealed RF Assemblies incorporate ePTFE vapor barriers that hermetically seal against moisture ingress, preventing the corrosion, dielectric degradation, and catastrophic connector failures that ground aircraft and disable radar systems.
Hermetically sealed RF assemblies with ePTFE vapor barriers preventing moisture ingress, critical for airborne radar, EW systems, and outdoor infrastructure. The vapor seal prevents condensation and humidity from reaching the dielectric and connector interfaces, eliminating a primary failure mode in exposed RF installations.
Why Choose Gore Vapor Sealed RF Assemblies?
Eliminates Moisture-Driven RF Failure
Water vapor ingress into an RF assembly changes the dielectric constant of the cable, shifts impedance, and accelerates connector corrosion. Gore's ePTFE vapor seal creates an effective moisture barrier at the connector-cable interface — the most vulnerable ingress point — preventing the degradation that causes unexpected system failures in humid, marine, or high-altitude environments.
Extended Service Life in Outdoor and Airborne Installations
Outdoor base station cables and airborne RF harnesses are exposed to repeated thermal cycling that pumps humid air in and out of unsealed assemblies. The Gore vapor seal breaks this pumping mechanism. Operators report dramatically extended cable assembly service life in coastal, tropical, and high-humidity deployments where conventional assemblies require frequent replacement.
Maintains Phase Stability Under Environmental Stress
Moisture absorption by cable dielectrics shifts the effective electrical length of an assembly, producing phase errors that degrade radar, communications, and EW system performance. Vapor sealing preserves the as-manufactured dielectric properties throughout the service life, keeping phase response stable across the full environmental operating range.
Technical Specifications
- Frequency Range
- DC to 40 GHz
- Characteristic Impedance
- 50 Ω
- Moisture Seal
- ePTFE vapor barrier — full hermetic seal
- Operating Temperature
- -65°C to +200°C
- Environmental Rating
- MIL-STD-810 (humidity, salt fog)
- Connector Options
- SMA, TNC, N-type, custom
- Jacket Material
- UV-resistant fluoropolymer
Applications
- Airborne radar (AESA, PESA) antenna feed network assemblies
- Electronic warfare (EW) receiver and jammer internal cabling
- Outdoor cellular base station RF jumper cables
- Maritime radar and communication system installations
- Ground-based air defense system RF interconnects
- Satellite ground station feed cables in tropical climates
Industries Served
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the vapor seal differ from a standard weatherproofing tape wrap?
Tape wraps provide surface protection but do not seal the critical connector-to-cable interface where moisture enters most readily. Gore's ePTFE vapor barrier is integrated into the assembly construction, providing a continuous hermetic seal through the most vulnerable transition point — not a field-applied surface treatment that degrades over time.
Are vapor sealed assemblies suitable for pressurized aircraft installations?
Yes. The vapor seal prevents moisture ingress during altitude changes where pressure differentials would otherwise drive humid cabin air into the cable structure. This makes vapor sealed assemblies particularly valuable in avionics bays that experience repeated pressurization cycles.
Do vapor sealed assemblies have higher insertion loss than standard assemblies?
The vapor seal adds minimal dielectric material at the connector interface only, with negligible effect on insertion loss across the operating frequency range. Electrical performance is equivalent to non-sealed assemblies of the same construction.
Can RSTECH supply vapor sealed assemblies with Israeli military connector standards?
RSTECH Electronics works with Gore to supply assemblies with custom connector interfaces including Israeli defense procurement specifications. Contact us with your platform's connector requirements for a technical review.
Ready to source Vapor Sealed RF Assemblies in Israel?
Contact RSTECH Electronics — your authorized Gore representative in Israel.