Pronunciation: [a͡ʊtɡˈas] (IPA) 
The word "outgass" is spelled with two "s" at the end instead of the more common "outgas" which has only one "s". This is because the final syllable of the word is accented and ends in an unstressed "a" sound, followed by the consonant cluster "ss". Therefore, the second "s" is added to preserve the correct pronunciation. In IPA transcription, "outgass" is pronounced as /ˌaʊtˈɡæs/.
Outgass is a verb that refers to the process of releasing gases or vapors from a substance, typically a solid or liquid, into the surrounding environment. When a substance goes through outgassing, it expels various types of gases, such as trapped air, moisture, or other volatile compounds. This release occurs due to factors like temperature change, pressure variation, or the substance's inherent properties.
Outgassing commonly happens with materials like plastics, adhesives, paints, rubber, or even inorganic substances like metals or rocks. These materials may contain trapped gas pockets or volatile compounds that can escape when exposed to certain conditions. For instance, when an adhesive is heated during manufacturing or application, it might outgas, releasing volatile organic chemicals into the air.
The process of outgassing is crucial to consider in certain industries such as manufacturing, aerospace engineering, electronics, or even space exploration. In these areas, it is necessary to ensure that materials used do not outgas excessively as it can lead to contamination, affect product performance, or even compromise human safety. Specialized testing methods, such as gas chromatography or mass spectrometry, are often employed to measure outgassing levels and identify the specific gases being released.
Overall, outgassing is a natural phenomenon where substances release gases or vapors as a result of various factors. Understanding and managing outgassing properties is essential for various industries to ensure quality, safety, and optimal performance of products.
The word "outgas" is derived from the combination of two words: "out" and "gas".
The term "out" is an English word with Germanic origins, and it means "away from". It is used to indicate movement or position away from the interior or center of something.
The word "gas" originates from the Greek word "khaos", meaning "empty space" or "void". In English, "gas" refers to a substance that can freely expand and fill any given space.
When these two words are combined, "outgassing" is used to describe the process of a substance releasing or giving off gas, typically due to being heated or exposed to a vacuum. This term is often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the behavior of certain materials or objects.
