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Materials to be used in vacuum environments, like in space or high-precision manufacturing, need to have low outgassing. Outgassing causes contamination, which impacts performance and life. ASTM E595 offers a standardized test for assessing these materials by quantifying TML and CVCM. TML is the weight percent of weight lost by a material resulting from outgassing, and CVCM is the measurement of the volatile materials that condense on a collector plate. The standard is especially important in space exploration, where materials for use in satellites and spacecraft must not degrade or contaminate optical and electronics systems.
| Sample Preparation | The material sample is cut to a specified size and weighed before testing. |
| Vacuum Exposure | The sample is placed in a vacuum chamber at 125°C for 24 hours while outgassed materials are collected. |
| Data Collection | After cooling, the sample and collected condensable materials are reweighed to determine TML and CVCM. |
| Vacuum Chamber | Maintains a pressure below 10^-5 torr to simulate space conditions. |
| Quartz Crystal Microbalance | Measures mass changes with high precision to detect outgassing. |
| Weighing Balance | Determines initial and final weights to calculate TML and CVCM. |
E595 test results offer essential information about material applicability to vacuum conditions. TML should be in general lower than 1.0%, whereas CVCM should not exceed 0.1%. Any materials above these values might have to undergo treatments like surface coating or alternative material substitution. Results enable engineers to apply only low-outgassing materials in the case of crucial environments, mitigating contamination risk and system failure. The information is of special importance for industries that engage in spacecraft engineering, optics, and precision electronics, where contamination control is crucial.
| Service Name | Remarks |
|---|---|
| ASTM E595 Testing | Contact US |
ASTM E595-related research and developments involve alternative low-outgassing materials studies, polymer formulation advancements, and vacuum testing methodology improvements. Additional reading may involve articles on NASA’s Material Guidelines, ISO vacuum material standards, and comparative studies of outgassing characteristics of different polymers and adhesives.
E595 is a common test in multiple industries, such as aerospace, semiconductor fabrication, and precision optics. It prevents spacecraft, satellite, and space station materials from contaminating sensors, lenses, or thermal control surfaces. It is used by semiconductor companies to provide clean environments for wafer fabrication processes. Optics companies utilize it to ensure coatings and adhesives do not degrade over time due to outgassing. This method of testing is vitally important for material selection and qualification in those industries with critical vacuum performance.