This high performance silicone vacuum hose is the very best way to connect vacuum equipment for vacuum bagging, resin infusion and pre-preg composites manufacture.
Unlike PVC hose this silicone hose will not soften (and ultimately collapse) at high temperatures making it the essential choice for vacuum bagging where the components will be oven cured such with pre-preg composites or with elevated temperature post-cure on vacuum bagged or resin infused projects.
Silicone hose is also more durable than PVC hose, it is very difficult to crush and will spring back to shape after being crushed making it a very durable hosing choice. Silicone is also chemically resistive and resin will not stick to it.
Due to the higher price of silicone tubing we suggest only using it in applications where it will not be fouled by resin. For ambient temperature cure vacuum bagging and resin infusion we would always suggest using cheaper (and disposable) PVC vacuum hose for the resin and vacuum supply lines so that if they become fouled by resin they can be thrown away.
Further Information
Conventional Use
The hose should be connected to your catch pot, degassing chamber or other vacuum equipment such as a vacuum pump hose using an 8mm Hose Tail Barb Connector.
Out of Autoclave Use
This silicone hose can be used with our VC200 Quick-Release Vacuum Couplingsto make an easy to use and durable vacuum hose. For standard out-of-autoclave use they can be used with an 8mm Hose Tail Barb to connect the hose to the couplings.
Un-crushable Hoses / Autoclave Use
When using the 8mm silicone hose and VC200 couplings in an autoclave or for environments where a very robust, crush resistant vacuum hose is required, the couplings can be connected to a vacuum hose lined with our Reinforcement Spring for 8mm ID Vacuum Hose. This creates a vacuum hose that is impossible to crush or damage in normal use.
Spring reinforced vacuum hose should be connected to the coupling using our special 10mm 'spring compatible' Hose Tail Barb Connector which ensures there is no compressible weak-spot at the interface between the hose and barb fitting.
Example Configuration
The diagram in the additional images above shows a typical configuration with the VC200 Quick Release Vacuum Coupling connected to TBC2 Through Bag Connector and an 8mm ID Silicone Vacuum Hose (using an 8mm ID Hose-Tail Barb)
