Correct name for white 'goop' used to reinforce electronics

[vger]

So I've got a DIY project that involves multiple wires being soldiered to an LED strip. The trouble is the entire completed device will be subject to a lot of heavy play, and the wires will end up being moved rather frequently. So I'm looking for a way to 'solidify' the wires around the soldier joint, so that the closest point of flexing will be further from the joints. Electrical tape is nowhere near good enough, and due to the awkward size of the LED strip, shrink tubing won't work either. I assume what I need is the hard resin that I see applied to mass-produced devices sometimes, often around tall capacitors or transistors. I've been searching for an hour and I've seen many references to it, just stating that it's 'some kind of' epoxy or polyurethane, but I can't find an official product suited for the task. There's also "liquid electric tape" but the specs seem to suggest that this is only for waterproofing, not for mechanical reinforcement.

[Kryten]

It's most likely thermal adhesive if you're finding it inside electronics, though if heat isn't a problem in your case I don't see any reason not to just use normal epoxy glue.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Kryten

[Kerbart]

I think you're much better of to clamp a collar a little bit downstream to the wire and fasten that to the housing of your electronics. That will completely take the load off the soldier joint (which really should not be subject to any mechanical loading)

The magic phrase to google for is "wire tension release."

[Shpaget]

The hard black stuff is called epoxy potting compound.
http://www.masterbond.com/applications/potting-and-encapsulation
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-Scotch-Weld-Epoxy-Potting-Compound-DP270-Clear-200-mL-12-per-case?N=6081606+4294871708&rt=rud

The transparent soft coating that can be seen on some PCBs and covers all the components is called conformal coating.
http://www.humiseal.com/conformal-coating/
http://www.dowcorning.com/content/electronics/electronicsproducts/conformal-coatings-overview.aspx

However, for your application, neither sounds as a good choice. The first one is rigid and will just move the place where the wires will break, and the second one is usually sprayed on PCBs so I don't think you'd be able to apply it to free wires.

What I would use in your place is something like Sugru or self-vulcanizing electrical tape. 

[Xorth Tanovar]

2 hours ago, Kerbart said:

I think you're much better of to clamp a collar a little bit downstream to the wire and fasten that to the housing of your electronics. That will completely take the load off the soldier joint (which really should not be subject to any mechanical loading)

The magic phrase to google for is "wire tension release."

... or "strain relief"

 

I used to do this back in the day: 

or this:

 

Both low-cost and effective....if you want, you could even use a hot glue gun, just ensure your wiring's insulation can handle the short-tern thermal load.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Xorth Tanovar

[Nibb31]

I usually use a glue gun for that sort of stuff.

[Nuke]

ive seen everything from beeswax and hot glue to silicone to hard resins which are damn near impossible to remove.

for anything involving sticking a bunch of wires together, just get some heat shrink.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Nuke