A high voltage relay comprises a hermitically sealed housing made of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and having internal components for changing the state of said relay. Terminals are electrically connected to the internal components for connection to external circuitry and applying an electrical signal to control the state of the relay. A nitrogen and sulfur hexafluoride gas fills the housing to allow for reliable high voltage operation with the housing having low permeability to the molecules of the gas.