Outgassing Testing Services Prevents Critical Errors

Introduction 

Outgassing occurs when components, such as adhesives or polymers, are heated and release volatile organics into the air. Odors, environmental problems, and product contamination can all result from outgassing. The outgassing material testing method assesses a product’s ability to release volatile organics upon heating or over time. For instance, an adhesive may leak plasticizers or other low molecular weight compounds in a hot, sealed environment like a computer hard drive. These substances can reform in a different area of a hard disc, where they might result in shorts, crashes, and other issues.

Scope  

Outgassing testing techniques, such as headspace measurement, are necessary to guard against probable failure and guarantee the product’s quality and efficacy.

Common Uses for Outgassing Testing The GC/MS and static headspace systems.A GC/MS system (left) and a static headspace system (correct). Our analysts can assess how production procedures or material elements may contribute to failures linked to outgassing because they have extensive experience in cleanliness and material testing. Here are some methods we can use to satisfy your demands for outgassing testing:

Outgasted Materials Resulting In Contamination Or Product Failure: 

Our analysts provide results quickly and offer knowledgeable guidance to address the problem. For example, we can assess the adhesive’s outgassing characteristics to determine whether label delamination is problematic.

Testing for Outgassing by ASTM E 595 and IPC-TM-650 2.6.4

Outgassing materials are harmful for essential applications that demand a spotless vacuum environment. When a substance is heated and placed in a vacuum, it outgasses because some components are volatilized or released. A spotless vacuum environment is required for numerous applications, including processing lithography, sensitive analytical instruments, and spacecraft equipment.

The outgassing test must be used to screen the selection of materials, cleaning techniques, and handling practices in vacuum environments. When materials or components are exposed to a heated vacuum environment, the outgassing facility at InfinitaLab can calculate the total mass loss (TML) and collected volatile condensable material (CVCM) of those materials or components. In addition to surface contaminants like oils and release agents used during manufacturing, the mass loss may also be caused by outgassing of low molecular weight materials, including trapped process solutions, uncured materials (resin, adhesive, ink, paint, coating, etc.), uncured materials, and in some cases, plasticizers, flame retardants, and catalysts.

ASTM E 595 uses a vacuum chamber with 10-6 Torr pressures to heat the sample material. Material testing is carried out by putting known quantities of material in a 10x12x6 mm3 container boat placed inside a temperature-controlling hot copper bar. A venting port facing a collector on the container allows for measuring substances with lower volatilities. For the test, the copper bar, the materials being tested, and the collectors are kept at 125°C and 25°C, respectively.

Conclusion

Outgassing testing aims to approve and qualify materials for critical paths based on what volatiles are released under heat or vacuum from that material. Thus, it prevents contamination, product failure, and environmental concerns on several levels, particularly in the clean vacuum required for aerospace or analytical instrument manufacturers. ASTM E 595 is an established standard that gives a reasonable basis for doing things correctly, protecting processes and components from the damaging effects of outgassing.

FAQs