Materials &equipments

Materials for Ultra-high

vacuum
 Properties required:

(a) Low vapor pressure.

(b) Bakeable to > 200 oC without losing

mechanical strength.

(c) Impermeable to gases.

(d) Inert towards reaction with other materials in
system or vacuum process.
(e) Inert towards irradiation by electromagnetic or
particle beams.
(f) Easy machining and fabrication into suitable
components.
 Metals

(a) Stainless steel:

• Excellent all round material.
• Distortion during welding.
(b) Aluminum and aluminum alloys:
• Good corrosion resistance, easily machined
and jointed.
• Poor strength at high temperatures, high
distortion when welding .
(c) Nickel alloys:
• High strength at high temperatures, excellent
corrosion resistance.
• High cost, machining problems.
(d) Copper:
• Easily machined, good corrosion resistance,
especially oxygen free, high conductivity grade
(OFHC) material.
• Difficult to braze in hydrogen atmosphere.
(e) Brass:
• Good corrosion resistance.
• Zinc evaporates out at temperatures above
100 oC.

(f) Mild steel:

• Not generally used as it is liable to rust.
 Plastics

(a) PTFE: low outgassing rate, good electrical

insulator, heat resistant, self lubricating.
(b) Polycarbonate: moderate outgassing rate
and water absorption, good electrical
insulator.
(c) Nylon and acrylic: high outgassing rate and
water absorption rates, self lubricating.
(d) PVC: high outgassing rate and water absorption
rates.
(e) Polyethyene: only suitable if well outgassed.
(f) Nitrile rubber: easily jointed, sealing rings.
(g) Viton: low outgassing, heat resistant, sealing
rings.
Common vacuum problems

• Improper cleaning techniques

• Incompatible materials

• Leaks

• Virtual leaks
 Feed -Through
These are used where it is necessary to transmit fluid, electrical supplies ,
movement and signal through the wall of vacuum chamber.
.

insulator
High current
Cooling water

O-Ring
ceramic
Extra feed-
High voltage
through cap
 Feed-through (movement)
.
Bellows
tube

Wobble
Greased shaft
O-ring

S N

Magnetic
N S
coupling