Vacuum Bagging Process

The vacuum bagging molding process utilizes a flexible and transparent film (ie:
fabric, nylon, rubberized sheet or plastic) in order to fully enclose and
compacting the wet laminate by using atmospheric pressure. This process is also
called vacuum bagging for short as it uses a vacuum and pump to extract the air from
inside the vacuum bag and compress the part under atmospheric pressure in order for
the compacting and hardening process to take place. Vacuum bagging is an upgrade of
the wet lay-up process and is widely spread in the composite industry because of its
clear benefits over this method. You will most often see the use of fiberglass, carbon
fiber and resin materials being laminated together using the vacuum bag technique.
The outer atmospheric pressure caused through the vacuum within the closed system
will compress the laminate and excess resin is sucked out of the wet laminate into the
bleeder cloth and resin catch pot.

Parts and moulds placed inside the bag will undergo a pressure rating of up to 29.92
inHG, which then results in an equivalent of 10to./m2. The bag may come in a flat
sheet or tube and custom applications can also be created for specific and unique parts
for your needs. One area of caution is to pay particularly close attention to the
tightness of the bag on the part. The accurateness of bagging the part is crucial for
proper results. Too tight and the vacuum film will bridge over various complexities of
the part. In order to ensure full pressure on the part, the bag should be large enough
and loose enough to conform to its entirety without voids once pressure and the
vacuum is applied for compacting the laminate. When done properly, atmospheric
pressure is applied uniformly and the parts inside the bag are held tightly together
during curing with the vacuum being present throughout the entire process.

Benefits of the Vacuum Bagging Process

There are advantages for using vacuum bagging over conventional lay-up methods.
The first is that the finished product will yield a better strength rating and be lighter.
Parts that are stronger yet lighter can have a serious competitive advantage over
others, especially since they are more durable and use less resources and material.
This is most evident when comparing the ratio of glass to resin which is better
accomplished under the vacuum bag molding process. Another benefit is that the
process is relatively easy to switch to and materials for basic parts are inexpensive and
easily obtained.

Disadvantages of the Vacuum Bagging Process

But there are also some apparent disadvantages to vacuum bagging as well,
particularly if we compare the Vacuum Bag Process with the state of the art
production processes, including the Vacuum Infusion Process with the MTI hose.

The process of vacuum bagging begins with the production of an oversaturated

laminate. Applied vacuum pressure then removes excess resin; however the
amount removed will depend on multiple different and critical variables that may
be hard to control.

Removing excess resin, which was first brought in, is a clear waste of money and
resources.

In larger projects, it is also necessary to apply the vacuum bagging process a

couple of times since the resin pot-life is the limiting factor.

The amount of resin that is removed from part to part can also vary substantially
depending on the timing of the vacuum pressure being applied.

The process of bagging can become rushed opening up the opportunity for error if
a leak in the vacuum seal occurs and cannot be immediately located.

Producing hand- lay-ups means bringing in a sizeable amount of air bubbles which
become entrapped in the reinforcement fabric during the production process. It is a
myth that embedded air can be sucked out through the application of a vacuum.
Instead, using the vacuum bagging technique afterwards will lead to the growth of
those air bubbles, causing voids in the laminate and surface.

Unfortunately with bagging, the fiber to volume ratio cannot be successfully

calculated as it can with other processes, and over-bleeding or dry laminates can
be a large concern.

Bigger and more complex lay-ups also require additional helpers, increasing labor
needs and support.

Another imminent disadvantage with hand-lay-up and bagging is that the process
must be completed once started, with no option to pause or take a step back.

There is a clear time and forgiveness disadvantage in wetting-out and squeegee

processes with a race against the resin pot-life and getting all of the materials in
place.

The composite industry welcomed the vacuum bagging process 20 years ago because
of its ability to offer a more consistent, thinner, lighter and stronger product in
comparison to wet lay-up. But the Vacuum Infusion Process particularly if the MTI
hose is applied is the latest cutting edge technology for todays most competitive
needs.