What is an Encapsulant?
Encapsulants are any type of material that can be used to create an enclosure around another material. An encapsulant may be a permanent seal around an item that limits or eliminates the ability to see the enclosed object, or may function as a protecting layer that allows the object to be viewed, but not directly handled. Today, the concept of an encapsulant is used in many different industries, and provides a number of commercial products that many consumers have come to rely upon. One of the most common examples of an encapsulant is found in just about every residential medicine cabinet. Over the counter medications, such as headache remedies, are often available in the form of capsules. Capsules provide the housing for the medication proper, and dissolve easily after being swallowed. This type of encapsulant is a temporary means of keeping the medication fresh and potent, and only begins to break down after the need for the encapsulation is no longer necessary. Other types of encaps
