Outgassing is a critical concern for users of adhesives and coatings, and outgassing data is often a requirement before companies will consider a new adhesive.
Because plastic material exhibits loss in weight due to gaseous emission, testing has been created specific for conditions of heat, vacuum, or both.
Severe outgassing is a concern for the following reasons:
- Indicative of decomposition or a change in the structure of a substrate, coating, or adhesive
- Vapor deposition on a surface that must remain clean to retain its electrical properties
- Indicative of potential corrosion or surface weakening mechanisms
- Contamination of the environment the part is used in
CVCM is of particular interest to avionics or optoelectronic applications. It might be indicative that optical parts could become fogged, electrical continuity lost, or some other effect caused by material being deposited where it is not intended.
ASTM E595 is the widely accepted outgassing standard. This testing is run at 125°C (257°F) under a 5 × 10⁻⁵ Torr vacuum for 24 hours. The total weight loss (TML) and condensable volatile material (CVCM) are measured.
Additional resources from the FOC team include:
- Category Resource
- View the Glossary, Acronyms, Military Specifications for Connectors
- Q&A Resource: email technical questions to AskFOC@focenter.com
Have questions about this FOC Tip?
Contact FOC with questions at: (800) 473-4237 / 508-992-6464 or email: FiberOpticCenter@focenter.com and we will respond ASAP.
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