ASTM E595 Total Mass Loss & CVCM Outgassing Testing for Spacecraft Materials
ASTM E595-07 test method determines the total mass loss, collected volatile condensable materials, and the amount of water vapor regained when materials are exposed to a vacuum environment. This method is applicable for various types of organic, polymeric, and inorganic materials. The SI units are considered to be the standard of measurement.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
ASTM E595 Outgassing Testing – Overview
ASTM E595 evaluates outgassing characteristics of materials in a vacuum environment by measuring mass loss and condensable volatile residues. The method determines how much volatile material is released when a sample is exposed to elevated temperature under low-pressure conditions.
This standard is critical for applications where contamination from outgassing can affect sensitive components, especially in vacuum or controlled environments. By quantifying total mass loss (TML) and collected volatile condensable materials (CVCM), ASTM E595 ensures material suitability and reliability.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM E595 defines procedures for measuring outgassing properties of materials under vacuum and elevated temperature conditions. It ensures accurate quantification of volatile emissions and condensable residues.
- Applicable to polymers, coatings, adhesives, and composite materials
- Measures mass loss and condensable volatiles
- Conducted under controlled vacuum and temperature conditions
- Suitable for contamination-sensitive environments
Applications
- Material screening for vacuum environments
- Contamination control in sensitive systems
- Polymer and coating evaluation
- Adhesive and composite qualification
- Research and material development
Benefits
- Identifies volatile emission behavior
- Prevents contamination-related failures
- Ensures material compatibility in vacuum
- Provides standardized evaluation metrics
- Supports high-reliability applications
Testing Process
Specimen Preparation
Clean and condition specimens to the specified size and thickness.
1Vacuum Exposure
Expose samples to high vacuum and elevated temperature for a specified duration to induce outgassing.
2Condensable Collection
Capture volatile condensable materials on a cooled collector surface during testing.
3Mass Measurement & Calculation
Measure post-test mass loss and collected residue to calculate TML and CVCM values.
4ASTM E595 Outgassing Testing – Technical Specification
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Specimen Thickness | As specified in the applicable material standard |
| Specimen Condition | Clean, dry, free from surface defects and contaminants |
| Electrode Type | Standard flat or spherical electrodes as per test method |
| Voltage Type | AC or DC (as specified) |
| Test Environment | Controlled temperature and humidity |
| Breakdown Detection | Sudden increase in current or visible electrical failure |
Instrumentation Used
- Vacuum chamber
- Temperature-controlled heating system
- Microbalance (high precision)
- Condensate collection plate
- Vacuum pumps and control system
Results and Deliverables
- Total Mass Loss (TML %)
- Collected Volatile Condensable Materials (CVCM %)
- Water Vapor Regained (WVR %) if applicable
- Test conditions and parameters
- Final qualification and analysis report
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM E595 separates total mass loss (TML) from condensable fractions (CVCM), recognizing that not all mass loss is harmful. CVCM specifically represents residues that can deposit on surfaces, making it the critical parameter for contamination-sensitive applications.
While TML indicates overall volatility, CVCM quantifies materials that can condense onto critical surfaces. These residues can impair optical, electrical, or thermal performance, making CVCM the key metric for contamination risk.
Low pressure accelerates volatilization by reducing external resistance to evaporation. This simulates real vacuum conditions and ensures accurate representation of material behavior in such environments.
It deals with only the outgassing characteristics of materials, which only partially provides a way of reviewing performance materials in vacuum environments.
Advanced vacuum systems, real-time mass spectrometry, and improved gravimetric accuracy enhance detection and characterization of volatile emissions.
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