AEROSPACE & DEFENSE

In Aerospace, failure is not an option. The SpeedMixer brings consistency, repeatability and a robust process to all your aerospace mixing needs. From ‘simply’ mixing basic two-part adhesives, to R&D of cutting edge new materials and formulations for unique applications – the SpeedMixer is the Aerospace industry’s best kept secret and gold standard for mixing needs.

Problem: Unreacted two part adhesives can lead to contamination in space.

Solution: Pending the specific chemistry and product, a vacuum SpeedMixer offers the ability to strip/clean materials such as silicones, urethanes and epoxies to help reduce collected volatile condensable materials. Many aerospace applications require the use of low outgassing materials to aid in sensor cleanliness during flight and operation. Oftentimes, an overlooked issue with two part adhesives is that unmixed and therefore unreacted low molecular weight polymeric materials can be the root cause of failed CVCM testing. With repeatable mixing as well as the ability to strip contaminants under vacuum while mixing, the SpeedMixer can help users achieve the highest level of cleanliness.

• CVCM https://outgassing.nasa.gov/og_desc.html

Problem: Adhesives may need viscosity modifiers/fillers added to them to decrease ‘sag’ associated with bonding applications. Mixing these high surface area fillers into adhesive is difficult and if done improperly can lead to expensive scrapping and rework costs.

Solution: The SpeedMixer allows engineers to create robust workflows for optical bonding applications. Typical adhesives used in optics bonding require the addition of CAB-O-SIL or other fumed silicas to gradually increase viscosity of the system, preventing sag/dripping during application. These high surface area fillers often entrain air, preventing optical clarity in transmission pathways or causing stress concentration problems in structural bonds. Imperfections in these bond applications will often lead to costly repair or rework steps, or scrapped parts entirely. Because of these issues, many applications require a syringe loaded with perfectly mixed, 100% bubble-free adhesive, and vacuum SpeedMixing can quickly achieve this result.

Problem: Manufactureres can’t risk mixing material incorrectly. Defined, validated, and repeatable processes bring consistency and repeatability to bonding procedures and sealants.

Solutions:  Two or more composite surfaces are commonly joined and fastened with adhesives. Pending the specific application, common adhesives such as Hysol EA9394, EA9394-C2, RTV566, CV-2566, CV-1142, RTV560 are used. These bondlines are critical structural features, and it is imperative that the multiple part adhesive be both properly and quickly mixed and degassed. Clearly, homogenous mixing is needed to ensure a full cure, and SpeedMixing ensures the chemistry/stoichiometry of the reaction is uniform throughout the batch. Timeliness of mix is important to ensure that engineers/technicians have sufficient time after mixing to load/prepare applicators and then apply adhesive onto the bond surfaces. SpeedMixing procedures require a fraction of the time of traditional hand mixing processes, and ensure significant increases in final product consistency. The SpeedMixer is the industry-proven standard for repeatably and easily achieving all of these objectives.

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