tubing using KaptonTM tape (E.I.duPont de Nemours and Co.). Embed the free end of the spiral tubing in a 2.5-cm-diameter roll of the silicone bagging tape,and then afix it to the strip of bagging tape forming the frame of the laminate. 7.Resin supply and vacuum tubing.Use flexible plastic tubing (vinyl or Teflon,depending on temperature requirements)approximately 1.5 m in length to supply resin and draw vacuum on the laminate. Tape one end of the tube to the distribution tubing inside of the bag.At a point just past this taped interface,wind one layer of silicone vacuum tape twice about the outer surface of the tubing. This 2.5-cm-long sleeve of vacuum tape on the tube should match the tape frame and added strips that exist on the tool surface. Attach the taped tubes to the tool at these locations and place two more 7-cm-long strips of tape on top of the tool and tape sealant to form a smooth,airtight joint when the bagging film is in place. Clamp the free end of the resin supply tubing to ensure a temporary airtight seal.Connect the free end of the vacuum tubing to a resin trap,which catches any resin that might be pulled into the tube on its way to the vacuum pump. 8.Vacuum bag.With the laminate complete and the tubing in place, the part can be bagged using an appropriate film.Take care to eliminate creases in the bag and ensure an airtight seal with the tool surface and silicone bagging tape.Once bagging is complete, the laminate should be fully evacuated to 762 mmHg using the vacuum pump.Leaks can be detected by using either a listening device or by clamping the vacuum line and using a vacuum gauge. Even a small leak in the system may result in voids and poor consolidation of the final composite part. 9.Resin degassing.Before infiltration can occur,the resin must be degassed to remove any air bubbles that were introduced during mixing.Perform degassing separately in a vacuum chamber; degassing can typically require 1 to 4 h,depending on the resin viscosity.All air bubbles must be removed prior to infiltration. Contain the resin in a bucket. 10.Resin infiltration.With the bagged laminate under full vacuum, submerge the clamped end of the resin supply tubing in the degassed resin bucket.Remove the clamp while the tube end is submerged to prevent any air entering the tube and the part ahead of the resin.With the tube clamp removed,the resin flows through the supply tubing and into the distribution tubing.The spiral dis- tribution tubing allows the resin to spread quickly across the width of the lay-up as it enters the distribution media.The distribution media provides the path for the resin to flow quickly down the length of the preform and then through the laminate thickness. ©2003 by CRC Press LLCtubing using Kapton™ tape (E.I. duPont de Nemours and Co.). Embed the free end of the spiral tubing in a 2.5-cm-diameter roll of the silicone bagging tape, and then afix it to the strip of bagging tape forming the frame of the laminate. 7. Resin supply and vacuum tubing. Use flexible plastic tubing (vinyl or Teflon, depending on temperature requirements) approximately 1.5 m in length to supply resin and draw vacuum on the laminate. Tape one end of the tube to the distribution tubing inside of the bag. At a point just past this taped interface, wind one layer of silicone vacuum tape twice about the outer surface of the tubing. This 2.5-cm-long sleeve of vacuum tape on the tube should match the tape frame and added strips that exist on the tool surface. Attach the taped tubes to the tool at these locations and place two more 7-cm-long strips of tape on top of the tool and tape sealant to form a smooth, airtight joint when the bagging film is in place. Clamp the free end of the resin supply tubing to ensure a temporary airtight seal. Connect the free end of the vacuum tubing to a resin trap, which catches any resin that might be pulled into the tube on its way to the vacuum pump. 8. Vacuum bag. With the laminate complete and the tubing in place, the part can be bagged using an appropriate film. Take care to eliminate creases in the bag and ensure an airtight seal with the tool surface and silicone bagging tape. Once bagging is complete, the laminate should be fully evacuated to 762 mmHg using the vacuum pump. Leaks can be detected by using either a listening device or by clamping the vacuum line and using a vacuum gauge. Even a small leak in the system may result in voids and poor consolidation of the final composite part. 9. Resin degassing. Before infiltration can occur, the resin must be degassed to remove any air bubbles that were introduced during mixing. Perform degassing separately in a vacuum chamber; degassing can typically require 1 to 4 h, depending on the resin viscosity. All air bubbles must be removed prior to infiltration. Contain the resin in a bucket. 10. Resin infiltration. With the bagged laminate under full vacuum, submerge the clamped end of the resin supply tubing in the degassed resin bucket. Remove the clamp while the tube end is submerged to prevent any air entering the tube and the part ahead of the resin. With the tube clamp removed, the resin flows through the supply tubing and into the distribution tubing. The spiral dis￾tribution tubing allows the resin to spread quickly across the width of the lay-up as it enters the distribution media. The distribution media provides the path for the resin to flow quickly down the length of the preform and then through the laminate thickness. TX001_ch03_Frame Page 47 Saturday, September 21, 2002 4:51 AM © 2003 by CRC Press LLC