Design Article
Understanding low outgassing adhesives
Robert Michaels, Master Bond Inc.
5/9/2012 9:08 AM EDT
Applications that need to meet stringent outgassing requirements now have more adhesive options than ever
One of the most common issues addressed by our technical service department nowadays involves the outgassing characteristics of adhesives and related encapsulation and sealing compounds. And that’s understandable because a growing number of high-tech industries have discovered that their products and manufacturing processes can be sensitive to outgassed chemical compounds. As a result, there has been a dramatic upswing in the use of adhesives, encapsulants and sealants that have been specially formulated for low outgassing performance.
While it’s true that some standard adhesives do have good outgassing performance “right out of the tube,” today’s most stringent outgassing requirements are best met by products formulated to pass an industry-standard outgassing test known as ASTM E595-07.
The test’s full title is “A Standard Test Method for Total Mass Loss and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials from Outgassing in a Vacuum Environment” (see sidebar). And engineers working on projects for NASA already know all about it. For years, they have been specifying ASTM E595-compliant adhesives and other materials for use in space systems.
Now that a growing number of engineers with earthbound applications are worrying about outgassing too, here’s a look at what to expect from low outgassing adhesives, encapsulants and sealants: to aerospace, optical and electronic applications.
Next: The right applications
One of the most common issues addressed by our technical service department nowadays involves the outgassing characteristics of adhesives and related encapsulation and sealing compounds. And that’s understandable because a growing number of high-tech industries have discovered that their products and manufacturing processes can be sensitive to outgassed chemical compounds. As a result, there has been a dramatic upswing in the use of adhesives, encapsulants and sealants that have been specially formulated for low outgassing performance.
Figure 1
Adhesives that have passed the industry-standard outgassing test (ASTM E595) offer a range of physical properties tailored to aerospace, optical and electronic applications
While it’s true that some standard adhesives do have good outgassing performance “right out of the tube,” today’s most stringent outgassing requirements are best met by products formulated to pass an industry-standard outgassing test known as ASTM E595-07.
The test’s full title is “A Standard Test Method for Total Mass Loss and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials from Outgassing in a Vacuum Environment” (see sidebar). And engineers working on projects for NASA already know all about it. For years, they have been specifying ASTM E595-compliant adhesives and other materials for use in space systems.
Now that a growing number of engineers with earthbound applications are worrying about outgassing too, here’s a look at what to expect from low outgassing adhesives, encapsulants and sealants: to aerospace, optical and electronic applications.
Next: The right applications
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