Guide to Vacuum Bagging
Vacuum bagging techniques have been developed for fabricating a variety of components but mainly
for complex shapes, double contours and relatively large components. The technique is employed
either to consolidate a wet layup or a prepreg layup during cure. The process is principally suited for
moulding low cost components too large and/or complex to be pressurised by other means.
The technique utilises a flexible sealed bag under which a vacuum is drawn, hence applying an even
pressure up to 1 atmosphere (14psi) to the laminate in the mould. The assembly can then be heated
in an oven, as in the case when using prepregs, to promote flow and cure of the resin. The process
requires low cost equipment and tooling and is capable of producing composite components of good
quality.
The diagram below illustrates a cross section of a simple vacuum bag lay up. The constituent parts
and their function are described below.
Vacuum Bagging Film
These materials are used to form the vacuum bag. The film is
sealed to the edge of the mould with vacuum bag sealant tape.
Vacuum bags must be completely airtight to ensure no leaks
occur at full vacuum during the final cure.
The most commonly used material is nylon film due to its
excellent physical properties. As well as being extremely tough,
it has good flexibility and high elongation. Special additives
allow it to be used at high temperatures and make it the most
cost effective material available. Nylon films are supplied either
in tubular or sheet form.
Elastomeric films provide much higher elongation than nylon allowing the bag to more easily conform
to complex profiles.
Sealant Tape
Also none as “tacky tape”, it is used to provide an airtight seal
between the tool / master model and bagging film. The tape
must have sufficient tack to adhere well to the mould surface
but not so much tack that the bag cannot be stripped away from
the tape for re-positioning during lay up. The tape must also
strip cleanly from the mould surface after the cure cycle has
been completed.
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Lavender CE Pty Ltd Guide to Vacuum Bagging
Breather / Bleeder Fabric
Non-woven polyester bleeder / breather fabrics are used to allow
the free passage of air across the bag face of a laminate while
under vacuum or autoclave pressure. This allows air and volatiles
to be pulled from the laminate and an even pressure applied to it.
The secondary use of these fabrics is the absorption of any
excess resin which is bled from the laminate during cure.
Various constructions are available and selection will depend on
the temperatures and pressures they must withstand during the
cure.
Release Film
Release films are used to control resin flow during cure and to
release the vacuum consumable lay up from the laminate
following cure.
The particular film chosen will be dictated by the cure
temperature, the shape of the component being laminated, the
amount of resin bleed required, and the resin system involved.
Various perforation patterns are available to govern the amount of
resin bleed from the laminate during cure.
Release Fabric
Commonly known as peel plies, they are placed against the
laminate to provide a moulded surface suitable for secondary
bonding or painting. After peeling off from the laminate the fabric
leaves an impression of its weave pattern.
They can be applied dry or impregnated with the same resin as
the laminate. Dry peel ply bleeds out a controlled amount of
resin from the laminate without bonding to it. Impregnated peel
ply does not bleed any resin from the laminate stack, which is
particularly useful when processing thin laminates using zero
bleed resin systems.
Self Adhesive Tool Release Materials
These materials are an alternative to release waxes and liquids, eliminating the need for repeat
operations between cures. They can also temporarily seal porous tools, such as those constructed
from wood or MDF. Tool release materials are available as either PTFE coated glass fabric, or un-
reinforced skived PTFE film.
Flash / Release Tape
High temperature capable tapes used for the removal of resin flash at the edge of the laminate,
holding the consumable package in place and taping down the pleats of the vacuum bag to prevent
movement during autoclave curing.
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Lavender CE Pty Ltd Guide to Vacuum Bagging
Shrink Tape
Polyester tape which when heated undergoes shrinkage in the length wise direction only. This
characteristic is used to consolidate mandrel wound composites to form high quality low voidage
components.
Vacuum Fittings
Three basic items are used to connect the vacuum bag to the vacuum pump;
- vacuum breach units
- two-part, non return, plug and socket couplings
- vacuum / autoclave hoses
Vacuum gauges are important in checking the vacuum achieved by the bagging operation, and to
ensure there are no leaks in the system.
Further information, including product data sheets, can be obtained from;
Lavender CE Pty Ltd
10/10 Miltiadis St Acacia Ridge QLD 4110 AUSTRALIA
Ph: +61 7 3255 6924 | Fax: +61 7 3255 6923
Web: www.lavender-ce.com | Email:
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