Sealing member

An apparatus for protecting a substrate, comprising:

• a partially hollow block having an open face within the block, the open face including a plurality of contact holes therein disposed within a cavity of the block,
• a layer of continuous precured gel, the gel being cured prior to contacting the substrate, the gel being elastic, conformable, having a cone penetration between 150 and 350 (10.sup.-1 mm), and an ultimate elongation in excess of 100%, an end of the substrate piercing completely through the gel so as to be capable of being electrically connected, the gel being made of a material such that the pierced gel closely conforms to the substrate subsequent to being pierced thereby, the gel being made from a material which self-heals and provides a moisture barrier subsequent to removal of the substrate therefrom;
• a container member in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the gel to facilitate handling thereof, the gel contained by the container member being thereafter inserted into the cavity of the hollow block adjacent the contact holes therein.