SEALANT TAPE FAILURE IN HIGH PRESSURE AIR FILL AUTOCLAVE CURES

摘要

A vacuum bag failure occurred during a 177°C/1,034 kPa (350 °F/150 psi) air environment autoclave cure. The bag failure was traced to poor adhesion between the GS213-3 sealant tape and the vacuum bag. The cause of the poor adhesion was unknown, but oxygen in the air autoclave environment was suspected. A test was conducted with five different sealant tapes in both air and nitrogen environments. The sealant tapes in an air environment showed signs of burning, foaming, and poor adhesion. However, some tapes performed better than others. Sealant tapes that were tested in nitrogen environment performed much better. None of the five tapes tested on nitrogen showed signs of foaming and all tapes had excellent bag side adhesion. It can be concluded that air autoclave environments should be avoided for high pressure 177°C/1,034 kPa (350 °F/150 psi) cures. If an air filled environment cannot be avoided, then the sealant tape should be carefully selected and tested.