Waterticht

Waterticht is a Dutch term meaning watertight. In engineering, a waterticht component is designed to prevent water ingress under defined conditions, such as specified pressure, immersion depth, and duration.

In practice, waterticht applies to enclosures, doors, seals and joints—for example hull bulkheads, watertight compartments on ships, and electrical housings. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with waterproof, but technical contexts hinge on rated performance.

Standards and testing: global usage relies on ingress protection (IP) ratings. The second digit specifies water protection; higher numbers indicate greater resistance. Examples include IP67 (immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) and IP68 (longer or deeper immersion, according to the specification).

Applications vary from construction and maritime to electronics and automotive. Waterticht doors and seals prevent water entry; waterproof enclosures protect sensitive components; watertight compartments shield cargo and machinery.

Materials and methods: gaskets and seals (O-rings, lip seals), gasketed lids, welded housings and weatherstripping are common. Materials include silicone, nitrile, and polyurethane. Maintenance matters: aging or damage degrades watertight performance.

Limitations: waterticht does not imply absolute impermeability under all conditions. Performance depends on pressure, depth, motion, temperature, and wear. The exact test conditions are set by the rating, so interpretation requires reference to the associated standard.