Custom Electrical & Thermal Insulators
Converted insulators for real assemblies
Custom electrical and thermal insulators die-cut from specified dielectric and thermal materials to fit the actual assembly, including geometry, clearances, attachment, and service conditions. Converted in-house alongside the identification components on the same equipment.
About electrical and thermal insulators
Insulating components are rarely the interesting part of an assembly, and they are frequently the part that holds it up — because they are sourced late, from a separate supplier, against a drawing that was never reconciled with the enclosure.
We cut them from the same flexible and foam stock we convert for gaskets and overlays, to the same tolerances, on the same equipment. For a customer already buying panels and identification here, an insulator is another line on an existing purchase order rather than another vendor to qualify.
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Dielectric barrier films and insulating washers
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Thermal insulation strips for air handling and enclosure work
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Insulating pads and standoffs between components and chassis
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EMI and RFI shielding gaskets for electronics enclosures
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Conductive foam inserts for circuit board grounding
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Cushioning and vibration isolation pads
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Barrier layers inside multi-layer bonded assemblies
Insulator materials
Each material is selected for specific performance characteristics — temperature range, compression set, chemical resistance, or adhesion — matched to the environment the part works in.
Silicone foam
High-temperature sealing and insulating material rated from −100°F to +500°F, meeting UL 94 flammability classifications for electronics and industrial equipment.
Poron® urethane foam
Microcellular polyurethane with consistent compression-set recovery, commonly specified for IP65/IP67 environmental sealing in electronics enclosures. Recovers more than 90% of original thickness after compression.
Neoprene foam, closed cell
Polychloroprene foam for weather sealing, vibration dampening, and cushioning. Conforms to ASTM D1056.
EPDM rubber
UV and ozone resistance rated for 10+ year outdoor exposure, with an operating range of −40°F to +250°F.
Polyester and polycarbonate film
Thin dielectric barrier layers, .002″–.125″, with high temperature resistance and mar resistance. UL recognized in polyester form.
PTFE (Teflon®)
Chemically inert, for corrosive media and high-temperature electrical work.
Anodized aluminum
Where the insulating part is also structural. The anodic layer is insulative and static resistant, with a sapphire-hard surface.
Compression set
Compression set measures the permanent deformation left in a material after sustained compressive load. It is the specification that decides whether a seal or insulating pad still works after the enclosure has been opened a few hundred times.
Poron urethane foams recover over 90% of original thickness after compression, which is why electronics OEMs specify them for repeated-access enclosure seals that must hold an IP rating across thousands of open-close cycles. A cheaper foam that takes a permanent set gives you a seal that passes on the bench and fails in service.
Cutting and tolerances
Digital cutting and CNC routing
Knife and router cutting on flatbed plotters for prototypes, short runs, and complex geometry. No tooling charges, and fast turnaround for design iterations.
Die cutting
Steel rule dies and clicker presses for production volume, giving consistent dimensions across thousands of pieces.
Kiss cutting
Partial-depth cuts through adhesive-backed material, leaving the release liner intact for peel-and-stick assembly.
Through cutting
Full-depth cuts for standalone insulating components.
Routing and creasing
Contour cutting and fold lines for three-dimensional fabricated assemblies.
Tolerances
±0.010″ for die-cut parts, ±0.005″ for digitally cut parts, in thicknesses from 0.005″ to 1.000″.
Maximum sheet size is 60″ x 40″ die cutting and 72″ x 48″ digital cutting. See die and digital cutting.
Adhesive backing
Most insulating parts are easier to fit with the adhesive already on them, applied on the face that suits your assembly sequence.
We are an authorized 3M converter, so parts can be supplied backed with 3M pressure-sensitive adhesives including VHB™, 467MP, 468MP, and 9472LE — the last for powder-coated and low-surface-energy surfaces. See 3M adhesives.
How an insulator order runs
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Send the drawing and describe the assembly. What the part separates, what it is clamped between, and the electrical or thermal duty it has to carry. Quotes are free on every order.
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We recommend the material. Chosen against temperature range, compression, flammability rating, and any chemical exposure.
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Prototype or first article. Digitally cut with no tooling charge and no minimum order quantity, so fit is proven before a die is made.
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Production. Die cut for volume in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility. Rush work runs 3–5 business days for an additional fee.
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Delivery. Orders ship within a 10% over/under quantity standard, with custom packaging and line-side kitting available.
Insulator RFQ checklist
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A drawing with the outline, all openings, and any exclusion areas
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Material and thickness, or the duty the part performs so we can recommend one
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Operating temperature range
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Any flammability rating the part must meet, such as a UL 94 classification
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Whether the part needs an adhesive backing, and on which face
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The compression the assembly applies, and whether the joint is opened for service
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Quantity and your timing, including the date the line actually needs parts
If you do not have all of that yet, send what you have and call 319-895-8804. Customer service is open 8:00 AM–4:30 PM CST Monday through Thursday and 7:00 AM–3:30 PM CST Friday, and you will always reach someone in person.
Related products and capabilities
Insulating components are cut alongside gaskets and backed with 3M adhesives. Multi-layer constructions are built by laminating, and finished parts can ship line-side as part of a kit with the panels and identification for the same unit.
Since 1946
Family-owned and operated in Mount Vernon, Iowa
3,000+
OEMs supplied across the U.S. and abroad
25 years
Outdoor exposure, some products guaranteed longer
7–10 days
Typical production after proof approval
$0
Tooling fee on in-house equipment
Why U.S. Nameplate Co.
Why OEMs source electrical & thermal insulators from U.S. Nameplate Co.
One partner, one roof
Metal identification and flexible labels are produced under one roof in Mount Vernon, Iowa, so a single supplier covers plates, tags, overlays, decals, and safety labels instead of three.
No tooling fee on in-house equipment
U.S. Nameplate Co. does not charge a tooling fee for any in-house equipment. A one-time charge applies only when a tool has to be created for your order.
You reach a person
Customer service representatives are available 8:00 AM–4:30 PM CST Monday through Thursday and 7:00 AM–3:30 PM CST Friday. You will always reach someone in person.
Built to outlast the equipment
Metal nameplates are built to withstand up to 25 years of outdoor exposure, with some products guaranteed for 25 years or more. Safety labels are UL authorized and OSHA compliant, produced in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility.
Family-owned since 1946
Supplier of choice to more than 3,000 original equipment manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad, with team members averaging 10+ years of service.
One piece or one million
The 55,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility is equipped to handle orders from a single plate to production volumes, on repeat release schedules.
Request a quote for electrical & thermal insulators
We offer free quotes on all electrical & thermal insulators orders. Send the drawing, artwork, quantities, application, and timing you have today — our art department turns a blueprint into a press-ready proof, and we will tell you what is still open.
Most jobs finish 7–10 days after the proof is approved. Rush orders can be produced in 3–5 business days for an additional fee. Orders ship within a 10% over/under quantity standard.
Request a Quote or call 319-895-8804 and you will reach someone in person.