Vacuum Impregnation

VACUUM WET VACUUM / PRESSURE (VP)

IMPREGNATION This process method requires only one tank. Parts are submerged in the
METHODS sealant, which remains in the process tank at all times.
The vacuum is applied to parts and sealant together, followed by pressurization with air.
A variety of processing methods may be This process retains the pressure step, but does not use the dry vacuum. This is often an
effective compromise, as the dry vacuum is less beneficial than the pressure step. The
used to impregnate parts. The method equipment is greatly simplified and the process will run faster.
selected depends on the sealant and
the requirements of the parts. 1. Place parts in the
Fundamentally, vacuum impregnation sealing process basket and load
of porosity addresses a pair of fluid mechanics into process tank.
problems. The laws of fluid mechanics govern the 2. Draw vacuum in process
Vacuum /
flow problem of removing the air from the pores tank to remove air from Pressure Process
and the flow problem of filling the pores with liquid pores of parts.
sealant. The entire process can be reduced to four
basic steps: 3. Release vacuum and
pressurize tank with air.
1. Remove the air from the pores.
4. Release pressure.
2. Fill the pores with liquid sealant.
5. Remove parts. Wash
3. Wash excess sealant from outer surfaces of the and complete other
parts (without removing sealant from the pores). process steps.

4. Cure the sealant within the pores.

VP processing is more common
Each of the following impregnation process for production processing of Vacuum Pressure with
methods accomplishes these steps, but in slightly castings with very fine porosity Shop Air
different ways. and for high density PM parts.

DRY VACUUM / PRESSURE (DVP)

This is the most complex vacuum impregnation method. The cycle requires two tanks, one which holds the sealant, and
one in which the parts are processed.
1. Place parts in process basket and load into process tank. DVP processing was traditionally used with old-tech high-viscosity
2. Draw vacuum in process tank to remove air from pores of parts. sealants. The DVP method is now sometimes specified with modern
(Dry vacuum) sealants where porosity is very small and sealing requirements are
3. Transfer sealant from storage tank to process tank and submerge unusually rigid. The advantage of the dry vacuum is that there is no liquid
parts, still under vacuum.
present to interfere with degassing the pores. In a typical impregnation
tank with a liquid level of 30 inches, the presence of the liquid column of
4. Release vacuum and pressurize process tank with compressed air.
sealant can reduce effective vacuum at the bottom of the tank by almost
Pressure helps to drive the sealant into the pores.
8 percent. Use of dry vacuum eliminates that small variable. The pressure
5. Release pressure and transfer sealant back to storage tank. step is helpful in forcing the sealant into the pores. This is most important
6. Remove parts. Wash and complete other process steps. where the porosity is extremely small.

Dry Vacuum / Pressure

Vacuum Parts in
Basket

Valve Transfer Sealant Pressurize

WET VACUUM PRESSURE
This is the simplest and fastest of the vacuum impregnation methods.
IMPREGNATION
It is similar to the VP method, except that the tank is not pressurized.
This specialized method of applying
Instead, the tank is simply vented to atmosphere after establishing the vacuum. Penetration
of the resin into the parts takes place at atmospheric pressure. The resin flows in to fill the impregnating sealants generally is used
vacuum created inside the porosity of the parts. to treat parts individually and can be
Wet vacuum impregnation is the most widely used application method by far. The simplicity
a very effective way to seal porosity in
and rapid processing, along with lower equipment cost, make this the method of choice in some situations.
many impregnation system installations. Typically, the parts are not placed inside a tank.
Instead, each part is fixtured so it can be filled
1. Place parts in baskets and load into process tank. internally with the liquid sealant. The sealant is
2. Draw vacuum in process tank to remove air from pores of parts. then pressurized, usually with compressed air, to
force it to flow through any porosity leaks. The part
3. Release vacuum and vent tank to atmospheric pressure. is then drained, washed and processed further as
in a tank method.
4. Allow parts to soak briefly while sealant penetrates.
1. Position part in fixture and close all open ports.
5. Remove parts. Wash and complete other process steps.
2. Fill part with liquid sealant.

3. Pressurize to force sealant through any

Wet Vacuum Process leaking pores.

4. Release pressure and drain liquid sealant

from part.

5. Remove part from fixture. Wash and complete

other process steps.

Pressure impregnation in a highly automated system

requires only seconds to process each part. Specially
assembled set-ups can be useful when the part is
too large to fit into a vacuum process thank, or when
there is a large number of large parts where vacuum
Vacuum Vent to impregnation in a tank system would be costly.
Atmosphere

PROCESSING FOR HOT WATER CURING

Processing is similar for Chemence Anaseal HC90, Chemence Anaseal 3. Using the Chemence oscillator, lower the basket into the wash tank
HC100. to clean the parts. Washing takes place in plain water with constant
overflow, using the oscillator to agitate the parts in the water.
1. Impregnate parts using any of the process methods described in
section titled “Vacuum Impregnation Methods”. 4. Place the basket of parts into the hot water cure tank and allow
sufficient soaking time for the sealant to cure within the parts. The
2. Use the Chemence centrifuge to spin the baskets of parts before
sealant will cure in four to ten minutes at 90°C (194°F), but time must
removal from the impregnation tank. This removes most of the surface
be allowed for the parts to reach that temperature throughout. Ten
resin from the parts, returning that resin to the original bath. This
minutes of soak time in the hot water tank is usually sufficient.
step is very important for part clean-up. The sealant removed by the
spinner returns to the bath, minimizing sealant usage. This is the most
Note: Parts must be allowed to cool after removal from the hot water. They
effective method available for removing excess sealant with no risk of
can be leak tested as soon as they are cool. A corrosion inhibitor can be
damage to the parts. added to the hot water tank to provide protection for parts that might rust
or corrode easily.

Processing Details
for Hot Water Curing
Wet Wash Hot
Vacuum Water
Cure
 PRODUCT FX1 HC90 HC100 RT20 RTP20PM

Anaseal FX1 is a very high Anaseal HC90 thermal Anaseal HC100 thermal Anaseal RT20 is an ambient Anaseal RT20PM is an
quality, water washable curing sealant is specially curing sealant is specially temperature curing sealant ambient temperature curing
DESCRIPTION impregnation sealant for flexible formulated for ease of use formulated for ease of use formulated to eliminate bleed sealant specially formulated
porous materials (i.e. plastics). and simplicity of process. It and simplicity of process. It out and assure the highest plating grade sealant for the
Ideal applications include wire requires minimum sealant/ requires minimum sealant/ yields of sealed parts. Its powder metal industry. Its
harnesses and overmolded process maintenance while process maintenance while anaerobic cure forms a very anaerobic cure forms a very
electronic components. providing high yields of providing high yields of high quality polymer providing high quality polymer providing
It has been formulated to sealed castings and other sealed castings and other exceptional temperature and exceptional temperature and
cure anaerobically at room porous metal components. porous metal components. solvent resistance. RT20 solvent resistance. RT20PM
temperature. Polymerization HC90 is detergent free yet HC100 is detergent free yet is a plain water washable is a plain water washable
(cure) occurs as the result of washes easily in plain water. washes easily in plain water. formulation utilizing the formulation utilizing the
the presence of free ions and It is compatible with all types It is compatible with all types most advanced chemistry. most advanced chemistry.
the inhibition of Oxygen (O2). of impregnation process of impregnation process It is designed for use in It is designed for use in
Cure speed can be controlled equipment. equipment. impregnation systems having impregnation systems having
through adjustments in the aeration and refrigeration aeration and refrigeration
process variables. capability, and is particularly capability.
suitable for use on powder
metal parts and heat sensitive
materials.

CURE METHOD Anaerobic Heat Heat Anaerobic Anaerobic

WATER WASHABLE Y Y Y Y Y

APPROVALS -- Mil-I-17563C, QPL listed Mil-I-17563C, QPL listed Mil-I-17563C, QPL listed --

TYPE Methacrylate Methacrylate Methacrylate Methacrylate Methacrylate

APPEARANCE Amber Liquid Amber Liquid Amber Liquid Amber Liquid Amber Liquid

Resin Properties
Uncured
VISCOSITY @25C
30 29 33 29 29
(ZAHN CUP N1)

FLASH POINT ° >100°C >100°C >100°C >90°C >100°C

SOLVENT % <0.1% <0.1% <0.1% <0.1% <0.1%

APPEARANCE Flexible Plastic Hard Plastic Hard Plastic Hard Plastic Hard Plastic

Resin Properties
Cured
SHORE D 41 80 75 80 82

FLUORESCENCE Y Y Y Y Y

WATER Y Y Y Y Y

OIL Y Y Y Y Y

HYDRAULIC FLUID Y Y Y Y Y
Resistance
HYDROCARBON FLUID Y Y Y Y Y Solvent

TURBINE FUEL Y Y Y Y Y

LUBRICATING OIL Y Y Y Y Y

CARBON REMOVING
Y Y Y Y Y
COMPOUND

ETHYLENE GLYCOL Y Y Y Y Y

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