quick connectors leaking?

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Hi guys,

I bought some quick connectors, autoclave hoses and vacuum probes. I assembled it to my vacuum pump and Im testing leaks in my setup. Are the quick connectors suposed to hold max vacuum with absolutly no leaks? I have tested two hoses with quick connectors (male + female connected). Pulled about 29" and closed valve to separate from air pump. Im loosing vacuum in both with about same rate. Both dropped from 29" to about 13" in 12 hours. Is it normal?

I disassembled one line, cleaned from thread sealer (Im using Loctite 542 thread sealer). Reconnected all with even more sealant and same leaks. I have never had such leaks in my vaccum pump setup, but I never used quick connectors or vacuum probes.

Thanks,

Mike

#2

The connectors we use all leak, some more then others. Not a fan of them for infusion, for obvous reasons (haha, leaking connector, filled with cured resin. costly… :wink: )
I don’t really care on wet layups and prepregs. hose stays attached until cured, and we use a big pump wich maintains vacuum with small leaks.

#3

Thanks for answer. I was thinking Im doing something wrong or connectors are not okey. :wink:

#4

I was wrong with those connectors. They leak, but really really slow. I have problem with vacuum probe.