| abstract |
An apparatus and method for protection of a substrate, e.g. an electrical contact. The apparatus comprises a support member and an encapsulant which has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10 -1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and preferably an elastic modulus of less than 10' dynes/cm 2 . The encapsulant and the substrate are pressed together so that the encapsulant is deformed into close and conforming contact with the substrate. Preferably at least part of the deformation is elastic deformation. |