Even clamping pressure
Mechanical clamping or stapling applies pressure only to concentrated areas and can damage
fragile core materials in one area while not providing enough pressure for a good bond
in another. When placed in a closely spaced pattern, staples exert less than 5 psi of clamping
force and then only in the immediate area of the staple. They cannot be used at all if you are
laminating to a foam or honeycomb core because of the core’s lack of holding power. In addition,
extra adhesive is often required to bridge gaps that result from the uneven pressure
of clamps and staples.
Vacuum bagging, on the other hand, delivers firm, evenly distributed pressure over the entire
surface regardless of the type or quantity of material being laminated. This allows a
wider range and combination of materials as well as a superior bond between the materials.
Vacuum bagging’s uniform clamping pressure across the laminate results in thinner, more
consistent glue lines and fewer voids. Because atmospheric pressure is continuous, it evenly
presses on the joint as the adhesive spreads evenly within