Self-Grip Side Seals

Self-grip side seals are commonly used on hatches to stop the ingress of water, air and dirt. They are used within most industry sectors for a wide variety of applications, such as hatches on marine vessels and inspection hatches on industrial machinery. As the sponge sealing bulb is located on the side of the self-gripping trim, these products are commonly used where the hatch lid closes against the side of the protruding panel edge.

Self-grip side seals are manufactured with a metal-reinforced spine that strengthens the section and protects the underlying panel. This metal reinforcement also allows the self-grip side seal to hold itself onto the edge without the need for additional bonding. This allows the section to be removed, reused and replaced multiple times without damaging the seal.

These products are available in a large range of sizes depending on the thickness of the panel edge and the required sealing bulb diameter. You will need to select a product that tightly fits onto the edge and sufficiently compresses when the hatch lid is closed. It is advisable to select a sponge sealing bulb that compresses by approximately a third to avoid damaging the sponge rubber with excessive and prolonged force. For example, if the gap between the hatch lid and protruding panel edge is 8mm, you should use a section with a sealing bulb that has approximately a 12mm diameter sealing bulb.