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Orbseal LLC

Patrick Lee Miller

David R Cieslik

A vehicle body pillar has a cavity therein through which air flow creates undesirable noise and in which moisture and fluids such as water are not to be collected. An expandable sealant plug is inserted therein and retained in place by one or more extractable retainers. The sealant material forming the plug is later expanded and cured under controlled conditions, sealing the cavity so as to prevent the flow of air through it. The expanded sealant also effectively blocks the intrusion of fluids such as water, minimizing corrosion within the pillar. The extractable retainers are then removed and permanent retainers used to hold moldings or the like in place. The sealant also seals the permanent retainers. In other instances, the same type of extractable retainers used with the expandable sealant may be used with a hot melt sealant which, when melted, provides sealing for the later-installed permanent fasteners and the apertures through which they extend.

Retractable retainer and sealant assembly method

A vehicle body pillar has a cavity therein through which air flow creating undesirable noise and in which moisture and fluids such as water are not to be collected. An expandable sealant plug is inserted therein and retained in place. The sealant material forming the plug is later expandable under controlled conditions. It is preferably expandable under temperatures of about 275.degree. F. to 400.degree. F. over a period of time. Preferably during the electro-coated paint baking and curing operation, the sealant is exposed to appropriate temperatures for sufficient time to expand the sealant about 800% and cure it, sealing the cavity so as to prevent the flow of air through it. The expanded sealant also effectively blocks the intrusion of fluids such as water, minimizing corrosion within the pillar.

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Kansas City, MO, United States of America

Patrick Lee Miller