Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Perplexed, just don’t understand?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic37950.aspx

By Kacordy - 9/20/2020 6:19:19 PM

I’m 3 for three fails and cannot figure out how to get the bag to hold vacuum. At each connector port I’m even sealing where the hose goes through the bag with a five minute epoxy adhesive around the house before I apply the yellow sealant tape. Using a T fitting through the bag at the vacuum end.  Stretchalon 800 bagging material. Here is a photo. Two full days, an entire weekend into this and I cannot get it to hold vacuum. Thanks for your help and suggestions. Allen 

By SleepingAwake - 9/22/2020 6:55:33 AM

It might work out with the stretchlon bagging film but usually a part like this and no pleats is asking for trouble.

make sure to work very cleanly - just single fibres across the tacky tape will mess things up. typically leaks are where you have overlapping tacky tape and in corners. I never liked these hose connectors either, but never technically had any issue with them. a fillet of tacky tape around the tubing and then you are usually properly sealed.

Vacuum bagging is frustrating at first until you get the hang of it. will take a while but will become trouble free at some point. but certainly the source of most frustration whenever I'm teaching new guys. Most important thing is cleanliness!

Cheers!