Summary for vacuum chamber leakage Discussion
vacuum chamber leakage is described here as a sudden hairline crack in the chamber, with Jeet Haria asking what to do. The only answer in the excerpt says the best solution is welding, but if welding is not possible, an epoxy-based repair may be used instead. The responder also warns that Vac Seal and similar epoxy products can be dissolved with acetone, so solvent exposure is a concern. The editor’s note says the issue had already received two replies and directs readers to ask Jim or Grantley for clarification on anything they did not understand. Overall, the thread points to welding as the preferred fix, with epoxy as a fallback when welding cannot be done.
Q. Even I’m facing the same problem. There is a sudden hairline crack in the chamber. Don’t know what to do. Please help.
Jeet Haria
Owner – JAMNAGAR, India
Ed. note: If you have “the same problem”, Jeet, it already received 2 replies 🙂
Please ask Jim or Grantley for clarification on anything you didn’t understand. Thanks! 🙂
A. Best solution is welding, but if not possible see my solution below. Be aware of the fact that Vac Seal and other epoxy products can be dissolved with acetone
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Jim Treglio – scwineryreview.com
PVD Consultant & Wine Lover
San Diego, California
March 21, 2022
March 22, 2022
Q. Vaccum and heating inside chamber will not effect epoxy based products? Also what could be the possible reason for such crack in SS 304 chamber.
Jeet Haria [returning]
Owner – JAMNAGAR, India
March 16, 2022
⇩ Similar, related, Q&As — oldest first ⇩
Q. There is a Crack observed in the vacuum chamber at the welded joint. The chamber vacuum is thus not able to drop below a particular point. I was wondering if I could patch this temporarily with any sort of material and also not affect the process of degassing in the process. Are there any sealant or paste used for this application?
Satish Ail
maintenance personnel – Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
2004
A. How bad is the leak? If it isn’t too bad, you can use an epoxy-based sealant, such as VacSeal. Best to apply it to the outside while surface is under vacuum — the vacuum pulls the material into the leak. You should see some immediate results, and it will improve a bit over a day or so as the material dries.
Jim Treglio – scwineryreview.com
PVD Consultant & Wine Lover
San Diego, California
2004
A. Just a Caution. The previous suggestion is a good one depending on the operating pressure range. Another product is Torr Seal which works well but I don’t know if it is still manufactured. The caution is that most of these techniques will contaminate the crack area and make it extremely difficult to properly repair the crack by welding at a later date.
Grantley Este
– Ottawa, Canada
2007