Description
What is an Ultra-High Vacuum?
Before we delve into the specifics of conflat flange, it's important to understand the concept of an ultra-high vacuum (UHV). An ultra-high vacuum is a state of extremely low pressure, typically ranging from 10^-7 to 10^-12 Torr (or millimeters of mercury), which is several orders of magnitude lower than the pressure of the Earth's atmosphere. This level of vacuum is essential for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications, where the presence of even the smallest amount of gas molecules can have a significant impact on the processes being carried out. Learn about Chiheng's vacuum components.
Importance of Conflat Flange in Ultra-High Vacuum System
CF Flange plays a crucial role in the creation and maintenance of ultra-high vacuum systems. These specialized vacuum sealing components provide a reliable and leak-tight connection between various vacuum chambers, pumps, and other equipment, allowing for the precise control and manipulation of the vacuum environment. Without the use of con flat flanges, the construction of advanced UHV systems would be virtually impossible, as they ensure the integrity of the vacuum and enable the precise control of the pressure and gas composition within the system.
ConFlat Flanges Guide
How Do Conflat Flanges Work?
CF flanges work on the principle of a metal-to-metal seal, which is achieved through the use of a copper gasket that is compressed between the two flange surfaces. The flanges are designed with a knife-edge that cuts into the soft copper gasket, creating a leak-tight seal that can withstand the extreme pressures and temperatures associated with ultra-high vacuum environments.
Components
A typical conflat flange consists of several key components:
Flange Body: The main structure of the flange, typically made from stainless steel, which provides the structural integrity and mounting interface.
Knife-Edge: A sharp, circular ridge on the flange surface that cuts into the copper gasket, creating the metal-to-metal seal.
Copper Gasket: A soft, malleable metal gasket that is compressed between the two flange surfaces, forming the leak-tight seal.
Bolts and Nuts: The fasteners used to secure the two flange halves together, evenly distributing the clamping force.
Design
Key design considerations include:
Flange thickness and rigidity to prevent deformation under high clamping forces
Precise machining of the knife-edge profile for optimal sealing performance
Careful selection of materials to minimize outgassing and ensure long-term vacuum integrity
Standardized dimensions and bolt patterns for compatibility and interchangeability
Materials Used
Flange parts are primarily constructed from stainless steel, which provides excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and thermal stability - essential properties for ultra-high vacuum applications. The copper gaskets used in the sealing process are also carefully selected to ensure compatibility with the flange materials and the specific vacuum environment.
Flange Types
They come in a variety of types, each designed for specific applications and requirements:
Standard: The most common type, used for general-purpose ultra-high vacuum applications.
Rotatable: Flanges that can be rotated to allow for flexible alignment of the connected components.
Miniature: Smaller versions of the standard 2.75 conflat flange, used in compact vacuum systems.
Nipples: Cylindrical sections with that component on both ends, used to connect vacuum components in a linear arrangement.
Conflat Flange Dimensions and Sizes
Conflat vacuum flange comes in a wide range of sizes, from as small as 1.33 inches (34 mm) in diameter to as large as 16 inches (406 mm) or more. The specific dimensions and bolt patterns are standardized, allowing for easy integration and replacement of components within a vacuum system. These standardized sizes ensure compatibility across different manufacturers and enable the seamless expansion or modification of ultra-high vacuum setups.
Installation and Maintenance of this Conflat Seal
How to install conflat flange? They must be carefully aligned, the copper gaskets must be properly positioned, and the bolts must be tightened to the appropriate torque specifications. Regular inspections and preventive maintenance, such as checking for wear and tear on the knife-edges and replacing copper gaskets as needed, are essential to maintain the vacuum integrity over time.
Flanges and Fittings
Pipe Connector Compatibility
Conflat vacuum flanges are designed to be compatible with a variety of pipe connectors, ensuring seamless integration into ultra-high vacuum systems. These flanges can be easily coupled with other vacuum components, such as flexible metal hoses, valves, and feedthroughs, allowing the construction of complex and versatile vacuum setups.
Concentric Reducer
Concentric reducers are essential pipe fittings used to connect pipes of different diameters. They are vital in ensuring the smooth transition of fluids between pipes of varying sizes, maintaining a consistent flow and minimizing turbulence. In vacuum systems, reducing tubes can be used as a pipe fitting to connect pipes of different diameters. Imagine a vacuum chamber that needs to be connected to a smaller diameter vacuum pipe at its inlet. To realize this connection, we can use:
- Conflate flange: connected to the vacuum chamber.
- Reducing tube: one end is connected to the steel flange and the other end is connected to a smaller diameter vacuum tube.
- Another Stainless flange: attached to the other end of the reducing tube and connected to the vacuum tube.
Stainless Steel Pipe Flange Conical Reducer
The ss pipe flanges conical reducer are a high-performance pipe connector component, suitable for various industrial fields. It ensures the reliability, sealing, and safety of pipe connections. Whether in environments with high pressure, high temperature, or corrosive media, this product can operate steadily, providing a stable guarantee for industrial production. This critical component is specifically designed for connecting pipes of different diameters. It possesses excellent sealing performance and load-bearing capacity, making it widely applicable in industrial fields for the connection of pipelines conveying liquids, gases, and granular materials, suitable for complex conditions such as high temperature and high pressure.
Chiheng Manufacturing Capabilities
Manufacturing Process
· Material Selection: We use high-quality metals such as stainless steel and carbon steel for corrosion resistance and strength.
· Manufacturing Technique:
Advanced cold and hot forging processes for precision and robust joints.
Precise machining techniques, including turning, milling, and grinding, to achieve high surface finish and reduce corrosion and wear.
Sealing Design
· Advanced Sealing Technology: Ensures tight connections and minimizes the risk of leaks.
· Precision Processing:
Stainless steel components processed for required surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and flatness.
Copper gaskets cut and shaped to fit specific flange designs, enhancing performance and longevity.
Choosing the Right Conflat Seal Flange for Your Application
When selecting the appropriate conflat seal for your ultra-high vacuum application, it's important to consider several key factors:
Flange Size: Ensure that the flange size matches the specific requirements of your vacuum system, taking into account the necessary flow rates, space constraints, and compatibility with other components.
Material Compatibility: Evaluate the materials used in the conflat, such as the stainless steel and copper gasket, to ensure they are compatible with the gases, temperatures, and other environmental conditions present in your application.
Vacuum Performance: Consider the flange's ability to maintain the required level of vacuum, based on factors like the surface finish, seal integrity, and outgassing characteristics.
Installation Requirements: Assess the ease of installation, including the availability of necessary tools, the complexity of the alignment and clamping process, and the overall compatibility with your existing vacuum system.
Contact us today to get your custom conflat flange quote in 12 hours. Our experienced team will work with you to ensure you get the perfect solution for your ultra-high vacuum application.
Dongguan Chiheng Hardwrare Co.,Ltd is a professional OEM metal fabrication factory which is located in Chang'an, Dongguan, China,and specialize in this field since 2009.
Our main business are CNC machining, plastic injection molding, die casting ,extrusion,Investment Casting and stamping parts.
We now have sophisticated CNC machining centers, engraving and drilling machine, lathe and milling machine, line cutting and other equipment.
With these machines and experienced employees, we are able to make repeated positioning accuracy within tolerance 0.005mm, providing strong guarantee for precision parts.
With great Service and nice quality,our products have been exported to USA, South America, Europe, Australia, Middle east and Southeast Asia, etc.Our goal is to make every customer happy.
