Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Vacuum pressure for degassing

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic29105.aspx

By cs24 - 8/23/2018 3:32:18 PM

Hi, I have the glasscast 50 epoxy resin, and I would like to ensure that is free of bubbles by degassing it in a vacuum chamber. What is a suitable vacuum pressure for this epoxy and how long should I put it in for?

By cs24 - 8/23/2018 4:27:53 PM

Warren (Staff) - 8/23/2018 4:15:05 PM
In most applications, due to GlassCast's excellent self degassing properties, vacuum degassing is not necessary.  However if you wish to do so, there is no reason why you cannot do so. 

You should aim to achieve as high a level of  vacuum as your pump will achieve - we tend to recommend around 29.9inhg  vacuum or better should be plenty.  Most epoxies do not  "self collapse" during degassing so it can be hard to know exactly once full degassing is complete.  So limit your degassing to a maximum of 5 minutes after full vacuum has been achieved.  You may still see bubbling or a slight froth at this point but this will collapse as the pressure returns to atmospheric  pressure.

Thank you very much! That was very informative!