Pressure chamber for casting

[FriendOfYours]

I need to build a pressure chamber for casting resins and it needs to be at a minimum of 3'x10"

I've thought about cutting apart a compressor tank, welding on a flange and using an existing pressure pot lid. If I could find some large diameter black pipe with screw on end caps, that would work too but have no clue where to look.

Any thoughts?

 

[Showkey]

In that size ......I would switch to pulling a vacuum on the the parts. Then you could use a sewer pipe made of PVC. Or well made plywood box with a good sealing system.

I use a paint pot for pressure vessel for smaller parts at 60-90 PSI. It is rated pressure vessel .......no way I would pressurize a home made vessel especially multiple times.

 

[FriendOfYours]

I only need it to go to 40psi, which is still a few tons of force but not enough that I'm worried about it, especially with a scatter shield. The issue with pulling vacuum is expansion and loss of material + space for it to come out. The way we cast that isn't an option

We share the building with an aluminum boat builder with xray capabilites and I was formally 3G 4G and Xray certified.

 

[Showkey]

The way I deal with the expansion and material loss is pull the vacuum on the resin in the mixing vessel then pour the mold and pull the vacuum again on the mold. I understand it would not work in many situations. 40 PSI is easier to control. In my situation 40 PSI was not sufficient to control the bubbbles and clarity.

Sounds like steel pipe welded one end and hatch on the other might work. 1/4" plates and welded seams would be an option if the shape needs to be customized.

 

[lakeroadster]

I need to build a pressure chamber for casting resins and it needs to be at a minimum of 3'x10"

Any thoughts?

Buy an ASME certified tank. This is not something to DIY. Laws and jurisdictional authorities will be on you like a duck on a June bug if there is ever an incident.

 

[FriendOfYours]

The parts have to go IN the tank. Good luck finding an ASME vessel that is made for casting resins that isn't thousands of dollars

Our existing chamber is in a concrete room with the pressure applied from outside and monitored with a webcam. At that size with that little pressure, I'm not worried about an incident

 

[txlch]

What about a set up like this?

 

[txlch]

Sorry for the tiny photo