Ted Pella 813-600-220 Desiccation-Style Vacuum System for Resin Degassing

Overview

The Ted Pella 813-600-220 Desiccation-Style Vacuum System is an engineered solution designed specifically for controlled, solvent-free degassing of epoxy, acrylic, and polyester resins prior to casting, embedding, or infiltration—critical steps in electron microscopy sample preparation, composite manufacturing, and precision casting workflows. Unlike vacuum ovens or diffusion-pump-based systems, this unit employs a desiccation-style architecture: a chemically inert, oil-free diaphragm pump evacuates a transparent polyester vacuum chamber, inducing rapid nucleation and coalescence of entrapped air bubbles without thermal stress or hydrocarbon contamination. The system operates on the principle of reduced partial pressure to lower the boiling point of dissolved gases, enabling efficient bubble expansion and removal from viscous media under ambient temperature conditions. Its design prioritizes reproducibility, operator safety, and compatibility with sensitive resin formulations requiring minimal exposure to atmospheric moisture or volatile organic residues.

Key Features

• Oil-free diaphragm pump delivering 31 L/min free-air displacement and achieving a stable ultimate vacuum of 25.5 inHg (≈ 86 kPa absolute), sufficient to remove micro-bubbles from high-viscosity resins (up to 10,000 cP) within 5–15 minutes depending on volume and formulation.
• Transparent polyester vacuum chamber with integrated 230 mm diameter perforated aluminum support plate—enabling simultaneous processing of multiple small-volume samples (e.g., 12–24 standard embedding capsules or 6–8 35-mm petri dishes) while permitting real-time visual monitoring of bubble evolution and resin leveling.
• Robust mechanical architecture: chamber walls rated for continuous operation at ≤100 kPa differential pressure; reinforced silicone tubing connections compliant with ISO 8536-4 for low-permeability gas transfer; pump housing constructed from corrosion-resistant polymer with sealed motor windings.
• Acoustically optimized pump assembly featuring dual-stage vibration damping and acoustic enclosure lining, maintaining noise emissions between 65–73 dB(A) during evacuation—within recommended limits for shared laboratory environments per ANSI S1.13-2020.
• No external coolant or compressed air required; single-phase 115 VAC / 60 Hz input with built-in thermal overload protection and manual vacuum release valve for rapid pressure equalization.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The system accommodates a broad range of resin types—including but not limited to Epon 812, Spurr’s, LR White, and Technovit 7100—without catalytic interference or surface oxidation. Chamber geometry supports both shallow-depth casting molds and vertically stacked specimen holders. All wetted surfaces (chamber interior, plate, tubing interfaces) are USP Class VI-certified polyester and platinum-cured silicone, ensuring compliance with ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity and ASTM D4295 for extractables testing. The absence of lubricants or hydrocarbon vapors meets SEM/TEM lab requirements for ultra-clean embedding protocols and satisfies GLP documentation standards for traceability in regulated histology labs. While not certified to UL 61010-1 as a standalone appliance, the system conforms to IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) when operated per manufacturer instructions.

Software & Data Management

This is a manually operated, analog-controlled vacuum system with no embedded firmware or digital interface. Vacuum level is monitored visually via calibrated Bourdon-tube gauge (included); timing is managed externally using laboratory-grade stopwatches or LIMS-integrated timers. For audit readiness, users may log cycle parameters—including start time, pump activation duration, observed bubble cessation point, and venting sequence—in paper-based or electronic batch records aligned with 21 CFR Part 11-compliant platforms (e.g., LabWare LIMS or Veeva Vault QMS) via manual entry. Optional accessories include a digital vacuum transducer (Pfeiffer PKR251) and RS-485 output module for integration into centralized environmental monitoring systems.

Applications

• Electron microscopy: Elimination of voids in epoxy resin blocks prior to ultramicrotomy, ensuring artifact-free sectioning and optimal staining penetration.
• Materials science: Degassing of fiber-reinforced polymer precursors to prevent delamination and porosity in aerospace-grade composites.
• Dental & biomedical engineering: Preparation of acrylate-based dental prostheses and biocompatible scaffolds with uniform density and mechanical integrity.
• Geological thin-section fabrication: Removal of entrapped air from impregnation resins used in petrographic slide preparation, minimizing optical distortion under polarized light.
• Microfluidics device encapsulation: Bubble-free sealing of PDMS-glass hybrids for high-fidelity flow channel replication.

FAQ

Can this system be used with solvents like acetone or ethanol?

No. The polyester chamber and silicone tubing are not chemically resistant to aggressive organic solvents; only low-volatility resins and aqueous-compatible monomers should be processed.

Is the 230 mm support plate removable for cleaning?

Yes—the plate is secured by four stainless-steel thumbscrews and can be fully detached for ultrasonic cleaning in mild detergent solutions.

What maintenance intervals are recommended for the diaphragm pump?

Inspect inlet filter monthly; replace diaphragm and check valves every 6,000 operating hours or biannually under typical lab use (per Ted Pella Service Bulletin PUMP-813-REV4).

Does the system include a vacuum gauge?

Yes—a calibrated analog Bourdon-tube vacuum gauge (0–30 inHg range) is factory-mounted on the chamber lid.

Can the chamber be sterilized?

No. Polyester is incompatible with autoclaving, ethylene oxide, or gamma irradiation; wipe-down with 70% isopropanol is the only validated decontamination method.