Outgassing in Vacuum: Preventing Contamination of Optical Surfaces.

Outgassing in Vacuum: Preventing Contamination of Optical Surfaces

Problem Statement

Outgassing of rubber compounds in vacuum environments leads to contamination of optical surfaces. This compromises performance in precision applications like semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace optics.

Material Science Analysis

Standard elastomers like NBR and EPDM release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under vacuum due to low molecular weight plasticizers and residual curing agents. FKM (Fluorocarbon Rubber) excels due to its high fluorine content (66-70%) and stable carbon-fluorine bonds. These bonds minimize VOC release and ensure chemical inertness.

Technical Specs

• Shore A Hardness: 75 ± 5
• Tensile Strength: 15 MPa
• Elongation at Break: 200%
• Temperature Range: -20°C to +200°C
• Compression Set: 15% (22 hours at 200°C)

Material Comparison

Material	Outgassing Rate (μg/cm²)	Temperature Range (°C)	Chemical Resistance
FKM	≤ 0.1	-20 to +200	Excellent
NBR	≥ 1.5	-30 to +120	Good
EPDM	≥ 2.0	-50 to +150	Moderate

Standard Compliance

RubberQ adheres to IATF 16949 standards for batch-to-batch consistency. Our in-house compounding ensures precise control of polymer ratios, fillers, and curing agents. We comply with ASTM D2000 for material callouts and ISO 3601 for sealing performance.

CTA

For custom material compound development or IATF 16949 documentation, consult RubberQ’s engineering department.