How does a leak hide from a gauge check?

A small leak can hold a gauge steady after the pump stops while air still bleeds in. A rate of rise test over several minutes catches what a single reading misses. Seams, fittings and tack tape are the usual sources.

Which rating should I lower first?

The one you can cut most: a one-point cut lowers the product by the other two ratings multiplied. Better bagging practice and fittings cut occurrence, while a pre-cure leak check with the pump off improves detection.

Why is the maximum score 1,000?

Three ratings at 10 give 1,000, so the share of maximum places this leak on the same scale as every other mode in the register.

Can a moderate risk number still demand action?

Yes. A severity rating of 8 or more can justify action at a moderate product. A leak that reaches the cure can scrap the whole load rather than one part.

Composites, Fiberglass & Advanced Materials calculator

Vacuum Leak Risk Calculator

Score how hard a vacuum leak is to catch on the conventional 1 to 10 rating scales. The product ranks the risk, and the share of the maximum 1,000 shows where it sits.

What this calculator does

Risk priority number for vacuum leaks from severity, occurrence and detection ratings on the conventional scales.

Formula used

Risk priority number = severity rating × occurrence rating × detection difficulty rating
Share of maximum score (%) = risk priority number ÷ 1,000 × 100

Inputs explained

Severity Rating: Rater guide score for the consequence of a leak.
Occurrence Rating: Rater guide score for how often leaks appear.
Detection Difficulty Rating: Rater guide score for how hard a leak is to find.

How to use the result

Best suited to reviewing leak history after a cure, triaging vacuum bag findings, justifying a leak check before cure.
Multiplying ordinal ratings can reorder leaks of very different severity. The number ranks modes, it does not give a leak probability.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for plastic resins and materials stands at 280.569 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 6.6% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
Steel mill PPI stands at 381.162 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 23.4% from a year earlier. New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).

Common questions

How does a leak hide from a gauge check? A small leak can hold a gauge steady after the pump stops while air still bleeds in. A rate of rise test over several minutes catches what a single reading misses. Seams, fittings and tack tape are the usual sources.
Which rating should I lower first? The one you can cut most: a one-point cut lowers the product by the other two ratings multiplied. Better bagging practice and fittings cut occurrence, while a pre-cure leak check with the pump off improves detection.
Why is the maximum score 1,000? Three ratings at 10 give 1,000, so the share of maximum places this leak on the same scale as every other mode in the register.
Can a moderate risk number still demand action? Yes. A severity rating of 8 or more can justify action at a moderate product. A leak that reaches the cure can scrap the whole load rather than one part.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.