Just done first infusion,main problem leaks,the through back connectors are from easy composites,they are black silicone, has any one used them,I have tried to source the leak but for the life of me can’t find the leak,also is there any way off detecting leaks with out buying expensive detector. Many thanks for advice.
cut off the vacuum source from the part and monitor a gauge for atleast 10 minutes, if it drops theres a leak
Thanks,just done that vacuum gauge test and is holding 30hg,as soon as I let clamp off pressure starts to drop,problem seems to be my bagging process,I never had problem using wet lay up due to pump left on till part is cured,but this will make my bagging procedure better.
Your leaks could come from from either your pleats, resin or vacuum lines or there was one in your bag. I hold my vacuum bag up to the light in the ceiling of my shop, just to make sure there are no holes in it prior to attached to the mold. I use a pretty good bag film so most of the time I don’t have that problem. I have 12 roll fabric rack to keep my film from getting damaged from sitting around the shop.
I’ll have to buy a new vac gauge… sucked resin into mine haha. Kinda hard to do a leak down test.
Im guessing the guage permantly reads the vacuum you were pulling at the time?
I use the connectors they are perfect and re useable im pulling 29 30 eash infusion. I cannot stress how important it is to check and check and re check and the check your re check a final time. Ther is no time limit with infuison so then id repeat the process 2 or 3 times. There is no excuse for a leak when doing a infusion
vacuum leaks are a nightmare with infusion. I’ve had it all ways bad: slow infusion, doesn’t finish infusing, air leaking in causing bubbles in the laminate. If you can, get the yellow Airtech bag tape. Less chances for leaks thru the taped areas. Also try stretchlon 800 bag film if you have any problems with pleats. You will still need pleats but this film is very stetchy compared to most.
I use the black “Toro” brand sprinkler connector T’s from Lowes or Home Depot. they go over the transparent polyethelene tubing also available at lowes or H.D. I just use vac bag tape to seal around one end of the T. Probably using a little extra bag tape around them won’t hurt to assure a good seal. The T’s are barbed but i don’t push the hose over them… just push the hose into them.
+1,000 @ Fastrr I use the same yellow tape, bag, and connectors. 9 times out of 10 I don’t have any leaks when using the yellow extra tacky tape and Strechlon bag. Use the gray tape and normal vac bag and it’s a pain in the @$$. On thing I have noticed is if their is a leak it’s usually around the t-connectors, and I put more tape around them just like fastrr said.
I never use T’s I found no use for them at all. You can connect you resin and vacuum line to your spiral using flash/breaker tape from Airtech.