ATMI Repository

There is a defect in the form of air bubbles (bubbles) after the mixing process in the molding process of silicone Rubber Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) 228 which can reduce product quality. The post-mixing handling process is carried out through the vacuum degassing method with variations in vacuum pressure (30 cmHg, 50 cmHg, and 70 cmHg) and degassing duration (2 minutes, 4 minutes, and 6 minutes). Assessment of the effectiveness of the parameters used was based on the value of the mass difference between the actual mass and the target mass and through analysis of the elemental composition obtained by the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method. The most optimal combination of parameters in the vacuum degassing process was obtained at a vacuum pressure of 70 cmHg with a degassing duration of 2 minutes, where the combination obtained the smallest mass difference value. The results of the XRF testing carried out did not or could not show the effect of vacuum degassing, which only showed the composition of the elements contained in each specimen used.