Støvknap

Støvknap is a Danish term used in technical contexts for a small protective cap or plug designed to seal an opening and keep out dust, dirt and moisture. The concept is common across many industries, and the exact meaning can vary with context, but the general purpose is to prevent contamination and protect internal components.

Støvknaps come in several designs. Screw-in caps thread onto a corresponding port or housing, providing a secure seal that can be removed with a tool or by hand. Snap-in or push-in caps fit into a bore or opening by force and are often used for temporary protection or where frequent access is needed. Some variants include seals or gaskets to enhance resistance to dust and moisture, while others are simple caps without a sealing feature. Caps may be made from plastics (such as nylon or ABS), rubber or elastomers, or metals (like aluminum or stainless steel), with material choice depending on environmental exposure, temperature range, and mechanical requirements.

Common applications include protecting exposed threads during storage or transport, sealing electrical or fluid conduits, and guarding valve stems, connectors, or sensitive interiors in machinery and electronics. Design considerations cover the ingress protection level required, installation method, ease of removal, chemical compatibility, and whether the cap must be reusable or disposable. In practice, a dust cap may be specified as part of an assembly’s maintenance plan or selected from a catalog to match a particular port size or thread standard.

In Danish usage, the term støvknap may appear in product catalogs, technical drawings, or maintenance documentation, with English equivalents such as dust cap or dust plug depending on the specific application.