Struers CitoVac Vacuum Impregnation and Cold Mounting Press

Overview

The Struers CitoVac is a dedicated vacuum impregnation and cold mounting press engineered for high-fidelity specimen preparation in metallography, materials science, and failure analysis laboratories. It operates on the principle of vacuum-assisted resin infiltration—removing entrapped air from porous or cracked microstructures prior to polymerization—to ensure complete, void-free encapsulation of challenging samples. Unlike hot compression mounting, cold mounting preserves thermal-sensitive microstructural features (e.g., heat-affected zones, phase transformations, or polymer interfaces), making the CitoVac indispensable for analyzing electronics, sintered metals, geological specimens, thermal barrier coatings, and fiber-reinforced composites. Its robust architecture integrates a sealed vacuum chamber, programmable pressure control, and ergonomic human-machine interface—all calibrated for reproducible, operator-independent results aligned with GLP-compliant documentation requirements.

Key Features

• Vacuum chamber with wide internal dimensions accommodates standard and oversized mounting molds, including multi-cavity fixtures for up to eight specimens per cycle.
• Rear-mounted capacitive touch panel and LCD display—positioned to prevent contamination from resin splatter—show real-time vacuum level (mbar), elapsed time, and user-defined cycle parameters.
• Integrated vacuum pump with oil-free operation ensures low maintenance and eliminates hydrocarbon contamination risk during epoxy or acrylic resin impregnation.
• Disposable consumable system: All wetted components—including mounting cups, gaskets, and chamber liners—are single-use, minimizing cross-contamination and eliminating solvent-based cleaning procedures.
• Programmable vacuum hold time and pressure ramp profiles support optimization for varying resin viscosities (e.g., low-viscosity acrylics vs. higher-viscosity epoxies) and substrate porosities (e.g., cast iron vs. porous ceramics).
• CE-marked and compliant with IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 electromagnetic compatibility standards for integration into regulated laboratory environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CitoVac is validated for use with standard cold-mounting resins (acrylics, epoxies, and polyester systems) across diverse material classes: sintered powders, porous aluminum alloys, fractured PCB substrates, sedimentary rock thin sections, plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings, and brittle mineral aggregates. Its vacuum performance meets the minimum −0.95 bar requirement specified in ISO 15549:2021 for void-free impregnation of open-pore structures. When used in conjunction with Struers’ standardized mounting protocols, the system supports traceability under FDA 21 CFR Part 11–enabled LIMS integration (via optional Struers LabManager software), and fulfills audit readiness criteria for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories.

Software & Data Management

While the CitoVac operates as a standalone benchtop unit with embedded firmware, its operational parameters—including vacuum setpoint, dwell duration, and cycle count—are logged internally with timestamping. For full digital workflow integration, it interoperates with Struers LabManager (v5.2+), enabling electronic batch records, automated report generation (PDF/CSV), and audit-trail-enabled user access control. All cycle data are exportable for inclusion in analytical reports satisfying ASTM E883 or ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.8 documentation requirements. No cloud connectivity or remote firmware updates are supported—ensuring data sovereignty and cybersecurity compliance in classified or GxP-regulated facilities.

Applications

• Failure analysis of cracked or delaminated electronic packages, where air entrapment would obscure interfacial defects under SEM or FIB-SEM.
• Preparation of porous castings (e.g., ductile iron, aluminum-silicon alloys) for quantitative image analysis of pore distribution per ASTM E2109.
• Mounting of friable geological samples—such as shale, pumice, or coral skeletons—without structural collapse during grinding/polishing.
• Encapsulation of thermal spray coatings (e.g., YSZ, Cr₂O₃) for cross-sectional hardness mapping via Vickers indentation (ISO 6507-1).
• Secure embedding of fiber-reinforced polymer composites to prevent fiber pull-out during sectioning, supporting ASTM D3479 tensile test specimen preparation.

FAQ

What vacuum level does the CitoVac achieve, and how is it measured?
The system achieves a stable vacuum of ≤ −0.95 bar (≤ 50 mbar absolute), monitored continuously via an integrated piezoresistive pressure sensor calibrated per ISO 9001 traceable procedures.
Can the CitoVac be used with conductive resins for SEM sample mounting?
Yes—provided the resin formulation is compatible with cold-cure chemistry and exhibits no outgassing above 1×10⁻⁵ mbar, as verified by Struers’ technical bulletin TB-MT-023.
Is validation documentation available for IQ/OQ protocols?
Struers provides a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report and a template for User Requirement Specification (URS)-driven Installation and Operational Qualification per GAMP5 guidelines.
How often does the vacuum pump require service?
With daily use, the oil-free diaphragm pump requires inspection every 12 months; filter elements are replaced annually or after 2,000 operating hours, whichever occurs first.
Does the CitoVac support automated resin dispensing?
No—the system is designed for manual resin introduction pre-vacuum; automated dosing is available only on the Struers AccuPress+ platform with optional fluid handling module.