In defense manufacturing, porosity can affect quality, especially with respect to pressure sealing, leading to potential failure in critical parts. Vacuum impregnation technology from Godfrey & Wing can be used to seal porosity in a range of defense components. This improves part quality and helps manufacturers heed strict standards for performance and reliability.
Porosity Challenges in Defense Components
Even with the proper equipment and processes, metal castings risk developing porosity surfaces that can lead to leaks. This is seen in zinc, aluminum, bronze, and other metal materials, forming in the molten metal as it cools and solidifies.
During the manufacturing process, multiple factors can contribute to porosity, including gas cavitation and shrinkage. Vacuum impregnation can effectively keep micro- and macro-porosity from compromising a range of castings, welds, and sintered parts.
How Godfrey & Wing’s Vacuum Impregnation Works
At Godfrey & Wing, we implement vacuum impregnation to effectively keep porosity from impacting the integrity of components. This process involves several key steps to complete, beginning with the placement of the metal casting in a pressure vessel, where a vacuum system eliminates air in the leak path. The next step involves introducing a sealant into the leak path before placing the casting in a recovery station, where the process removes any excess sealant.
Depending on the application’s particular requirements, there are several methods of vacuum impregnation that can be used. These include:
- Dry vacuum and pressure. This method is the most common in the defense industry, providing the most effective form of impregnation for parts in which sealing is a challenge.
- Dry vacuum. This process involves sealing leak paths and porosity without the application of pressure.
- Wet vacuum. This method is used to seal large porosity and leak paths and is ideal for many powdered components and electrical parts.
Benefits of Vacuum Impregnation for Defense Components
The primary benefit of vacuum impregnation is the ability to keep porosity from impacting the quality of manufactured defense components. Vacuum impregnation helps maximize productivity by eliminating the need for rework and additional leak testing, leading to increased cost savings. Vacuum impregnation also works to extend the service life of products, resulting in fewer part replacements and reduced maintenance needs.
Applications in Defense Manufacturing
While originally designed for die castings, a range of components in the defense industry can benefit from vacuum impregnation, such as:
- Pumps
- Engine blocks
- Missile propulsion systems
- Landing gear
- Transmissions
- Electrical/electronic components, such as:
- Cables
- Housings
- Wires
- Connectors
Why Choose Godfrey & Wing?
When looking for reliable vacuum impregnation services and equipment for defense components, Godfrey & Wing is ready to serve as your partner of choice. Our innovative technology seals porosity the first time, achieving first time through (FTT) recovery rates of over 99%. Our vacuum impregnation equipment integrates with our customers’ current manufacturing processes to provide a seamless solution that optimizes efficiency while giving reliable and repeatable results across varying projects.
If you would like to find out more about our vacuum impregnation solutions for defense components and other parts, contact us today to speak with one of our experts.