Various methods and apparatuses are described in which a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device is encapsulated with a material having a variable viscosity with a viscosity value high enough to retard foreign material from contacting the MEMS device during an electronic package assembly process. The material having the variable viscosity may be affixed to a cavity area surrounding the MEMS device prior to an epoxy being dispensed onto the electronic package assembly. The temperature and pressure conditions of the electronic package assembly process may be controlled to ensure when the epoxy is dispensed that the material having the variable viscosity has a high enough viscosity value to retard foreign material from contacting the MEMS device during the electronic package assembly process.