Waterproof Audio — Without the Trade-Off
Protect Microphones and Speakers Without Muffling the Sound
Gore acoustic ePTFE vent membranes provide IP67/IP68 liquid and dust protection for smartphone microphones, hearable speakers, and wearable audio ports — at under 0.3 mm thickness and with acoustic transparency that rivals an open aperture.
Ultra-thin acoustic ePTFE vent membranes protecting microphones and speakers in smartphones, wearables, and hearables from liquid and dust without compromising sound. At less than 0.3 mm thick, Gore acoustic vents occupy minimal Z-height in ultra-thin device stacks, while the ePTFE membrane's open microporous structure transmits sound pressure waves with negligible insertion loss across the human hearing range. Available in adhesive-backed formats for automated pick-and-place assembly, and in reel-format supply for volume SMT-compatible lines.
Why Choose Gore Portable Electronic Acoustic Vents?
Sub-0.3 mm Thickness for Ultra-Slim Devices
Modern smartphones and wearables operate with Z-height budgets measured in tenths of a millimeter. Gore acoustic vent membranes at under 0.3 mm thickness fit within even the tightest acoustic port stacks without requiring port depth increases or PCB layout changes, enabling IP67/IP68 protection in devices where competing membrane solutions add unacceptable thickness.
Minimal Acoustic Insertion Loss
The ePTFE microporous structure transmits sound pressure with insertion loss typically below 1–2 dB across 100 Hz–10 kHz, preserving voice clarity for microphones and full-range frequency response for speakers. High-resolution audio playback and voice pickup quality are maintained even with IP68-rated waterproofing in place.
IP67/IP68 Liquid and Dust Exclusion
The hydrophobic ePTFE membrane surface tension prevents liquid water penetration even under 1 metre / 30-minute immersion (IP67) and 1.5 metre / 30-minute (IP68) conditions. Particle filtration rejects dust and debris down to sub-micron sizes, protecting microphone capsule diaphragms and speaker driver cones from contamination that causes progressive acoustic degradation.
Technical Specifications
- Membrane Thickness
- < 0.3 mm
- Ingress Protection
- IP67 / IP68 compliant
- Acoustic Insertion Loss
- < 2 dB typical (100 Hz – 10 kHz)
- Membrane Material
- Expanded PTFE (ePTFE)
- Mounting Method
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive (peel-and-place)
- Supply Format
- Roll / reel for automated assembly
- Particle Filtration
- Sub-micron particulate exclusion
- Available Sizes
- Custom die-cut (round, slot, custom)
Applications
- Smartphone primary and secondary microphone acoustic ports
- TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbud speaker and microphone ports
- Smartwatch and fitness tracker microphone protection
- Hearing aid and hearable acoustic vent ports
- Rugged tablet and handheld device speaker grilles
- 10 ATM-rated smartwatch acoustic and pressure vent apertures
Industries Served
Part Numbers
Reference these part numbers when requesting a quote. Contact RSTECH Electronics for pricing, availability, and samples in Israel.
Part numbers sourced from gore.com. Custom configurations and additional variants may be available — contact RSTECH for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gore acoustic vent thickness compare to competitive membranes?
Gore acoustic vents at under 0.3 mm are among the thinnest available for IP67/IP68-rated applications. Competing solutions using foam or woven mesh elements typically add 0.5–1.0 mm or more. This difference is significant in devices where the acoustic port depth is the limiting factor for overall device thickness.
Do acoustic vents affect microphone sensitivity?
The ePTFE membrane introduces minimal acoustic impedance. Sensitivity reduction is typically less than 1–2 dB for microphone capsules, which is within the calibration tolerance of most MEMS microphone designs. Gore provides acoustic insertion loss data in the form of transfer function curves for engineering evaluation.
What is the difference between acoustic vents and pressure vents for portable electronics?
Acoustic vents are optimized for sound transmission — maximizing membrane area and minimizing acoustic impedance to pass audio frequencies with minimal loss. Pressure vents are optimized for slow gas equalization — used for barometers and altitude sensors. The two serve different functions and should not be interchanged.
Can RSTECH supply acoustic vents in reel format for SMT assembly lines?
Yes. Gore acoustic vents are available in reel and strip formats compatible with automated pick-and-place equipment. Contact RSTECH Electronics for reel dimensions, pitch specifications, and minimum order quantities for your production program.
Ready to source Portable Electronic Acoustic Vents in Israel?
Contact RSTECH Electronics — your authorized Gore representative in Israel.