Cryogenic adhesive 2

[george0504]

I am searching for a tried and tested adhesive to be used at 77K (and eventually 4.2K). The adherends are optical windows with titanium mounts. The joint should be vacuum leak tight between 77K and 300K (continually cycled).

We currently use a 2 part epoxy mix, Eccobond, which does not provide a consistent leak tight joint, approx 30% failure.

Has anyone had any experience with adhesives at low temperatures?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Demon3]

I would imagine that you need a polymer / adhesive that remains flexible to low temperature so silicones spring to mind.

A Google search for "cryogenic adhesive" revealed a lot including this link to a cryogenic adhesive expert!

http://www.intota.com/viewbio.asp?bioID=605157&perID=720149&strQuery=cryogenic+adhesive

 

[patprimmer]

I think 4.5K is a temperature that very few people have access to, so publicly available data might be non existent.

Good luck with your search

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[george0504]

Thanks for the response,

my research so far (cryogenics journals) has suggested a silicone based adhesive as it may be more forgiving during the cool down.

I have also found the following and will run a few trials:

http://www.masterbond.com/produse/produse_cryo.html

 

[jedward]

Eccobond 285 with catalyst 23 or 24lv is suggested.(or eccobond 2850)
this is similar to if not the same as adhesives used to mount cyrogenic temperature detectors
we use same for bonding glass to aluminum to about -80C in an aerospae application

silicone materials ( eg GE rtv566 or similar Nusil CC2566 ) remain compliant to about -120 C and then get much harder ( per nasa report of about 1976)

FEP teflon seals with mechanical loading have been demonstrated to work for superfluid helium
(see RSI sept 1972)

 

[Qsrob89]

I don't know if you have received an adequate answer for this question?

Armstrong A-12 epoxy is used in many cryogenic applications including liquid helium dewars.

Try a google search on "armstrong a-12" and "cryogenic" or "dewars"

HTH

 

[eric2718]

PHPK says that they have used STYCAST 2850FT epoxy with Catalyst 9 for six to seven years with great success on liquid helium dewars. I have used it with LN2 without any problems.

Vendor 1

http://www.ellsworth.com/display/pr...ID=18&subCategoryID=&PageNumber=3&Tab=Vendors

2850FT BLACK 18 LB. GALLON Epoxy STYCAST® 2850 FT STYCAST 2850 FT is a two component, thermally conductive, epoxy encapsulant; it has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent electrical insulative properties; cures with Catalyst 9, or Catalyst 23LV. 18 lb Gallon. $157.86

Vendor 2
Pro-Pac Corporation
160 Meister Avenue
Branchburg, NJ 08876
Telephone: 908-725-5000

http://www.emersoncuming.com/generic.asp?cat_id=5&sub_cat_id=1&region_id=1

(3) lbs for $107.40

Vendor 3

http://www.janis.com/p-aae9.html

EP/STYCAST Stycast 2850FT
(6) 10 g packets for $170

Vendor 4
Lakeshore
Lakeshore.com
$188 for (20) 2 g packets