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Meet NASA Low Outgassing Standards With Adhesives for Aerospace and Optical Systems

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Why This Matters

This article highlights the importance of low outgassing adhesives in aerospace and optical systems, where contamination from volatile substances can compromise performance and clarity. Meeting NASA's stringent standards ensures reliability and longevity of sensitive equipment in high-vacuum environments. The development and use of such adhesives are crucial for advancing space exploration, scientific research, and high-tech manufacturing.

Key Takeaways

This sponsored article is brought to you by Master Bond.

Outgassing is the release of volatile substances from a cured adhesive over time. These released materials, which may include residual solvents, unreacted monomers, or other chemical species, can deposit on nearby surfaces, causing contamination that interferes with sensitive components.

What Is Outgassing and How Is It Measured?

The industry standard for measuring outgassing is ASTM E595, developed by NASA. This test exposes a cured sample to 125 °C at high vacuum (10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁶ torr) for 24 hours, measuring Total Mass Loss (TML) and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials (CVCM). To meet NASA low outgassing requirements, materials must exhibit less than 1 percent TML and less than 0.1 percent CVCM.

Optical assemblies need contamination-free bonding and prevention of fogging the optics to maintain clarity. High-vacuum scientific equipment, semiconductor manufacturing tools, and aerospace electronics also demand low outgassing materials.

Key Applications

Low outgassing adhesives are essential wherever contamination could compromise performance and this is particularly relevant for space and satellite systems. Optical assemblies, including cameras, telescopes, and laser systems, need contamination-free bonding and prevention of fogging the optics to maintain clarity.

High-vacuum scientific equipment, semiconductor manufacturing tools, and aerospace electronics also demand low outgassing materials. Even terrestrial optical devices benefit from reduced outgassing to ensure long-term reliability.

EP30-2 is a versatile system can be used in a variety of applications in aerospace, electronic, optical and specialty OEM industries, especially when optical clarity and low outgassing are important criteria. Master Bond

Ensuring Low Outgassing Performance Through Proper Handling

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