Darcoid Success Stories: Innovative Solutions in Action

The Sealing Requirements in Robots

Written by Alex Loback | Mar 28, 2026 2:30:16 PM

Robots are machines that are programmed to perform complex tasks in challenging environments such as factories, hospitals, or deep-sea exploration. The hardware is typically made of rigid metals and plastics, but elastomers and soft plastics provide sealing, insulation, and shock absorption. There are also EMI shielded elastomers that can protect internal electromagnetic interference. Darcoid provides a wide array of sealing solutions as well as elastomeric and plastic components.

 

Uses of Sealing Materials in the Robotics Industry 

There are many rubber material families and within a material family there are also compounds that are formulated for specific purposes such as compression set resistance, internal lubrication, and so forth. It is important to choose the right material for your application and Darcoid can help you find exactly what you need.

Material

Properties

Uses

Silicone

High flexibility, thermal stability, biocompatibility

Grippers, gaskets, medical grade environmental seals

EPDM

Weather/ozone resistance, electrical insulation

Outdoor seals, boots

Nitrile (NBR)

Oil/fuel resistance

Gaskets, suction cups, linear actuators

Fluorosilicone

Fuel and solvent resistance, flexibility at low temperatures

Aerospace robotics

Polytetrafluoroethylene

(PTFE)

Low friction, chemically inert, broad temperature range

Rotating arms and joints, motors/gears, actuators

Polyurethane (PU)

Abrasion resistance, mechanical strength

Wheels, bushings, gripper pads

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can disrupt electrical circuitry which could affect normal operation of electronic devices. This interference can degrade performance, cause malfunctions, or even lead to data corruption in sensitive circuits. This is where EMI shielding gaskets play a critical role in preventing those issues.


Robotic Subsystem

EMI Shielding

Control cabinets

Panel seals, enclosure doors

Servo motors

Housing seams, cable shielding

Sensors (e.g., LiDAR, cameras)

Sensor covers, mounting points

Communication ports

Connector gaskets

Antennas and power systems

Radio frequency shielding

Darcoid can help you with your sealing needs in robotics from early stages to the end of the product lifecycle.