Vacuum Valves and Vacuum Lines / Pipes

As with the vacuum film itself, there are many variations and careful consideration is required when choosing the correct equipment. Autoclave heat and pressure will collapse a pipe that is not constructed from the correct materials, as will normal vacuum at room temperature collapse an unsuitable one. Most vacuum pipes have a wire spiral either inside the tube wall or a separate one inside the tube. The ends require fittings that fit to the vacuum pump and to the bag.

vacuum-valves-pipes

Special quick couplers keep the vacuum “pressure” when separated on both sides of the coupling. These work very well with the “401 C” vacuum fittings (as shown in sketch), as well as vacuum gauges.

With infusion, we need cheap disposable lines (and no quick couples) as they will be filled with cured resin and be disposed of.