Advantages of CF Flanges & Fittings

1. Ultra-High Vacuum Performance:
   • Suitable for UHV down to 10⁻¹² mbar.
2. Metal-to-Metal Sealing:
   • Leak-tight, durable, and highly reliable with low outgassing properties.
3. Temperature Resistance:
   • Can withstand bake-out temperatures up to 450°C (copper gaskets).
4. Corrosion Resistance:
   • Stainless steel construction ensures longevity.
5. Compatibility:
   • CF flanges are standardized and widely used, ensuring compatibility with UHV systems worldwide.
6. High Precision:
   • The knife-edge design ensures consistent and reliable seals.

Vacuum Applications

CF flanges and fittings are used in applications requiring UHV conditions, including:

• Surface Science:
  • Systems for Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
• Particle Accelerators:
  • UHV beamlines and experimental chambers.
• Thin Film Deposition:
  • Processes such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and sputtering.
• Synchrotron Beamlines:
  • Used for vacuum enclosures and components in beamline systems.
• Cryogenics and Space Simulation:
  • Chambers for testing space-bound components under vacuum.

01. CF Flanges

• • Material: Made from stainless steel (304, 316L) for its strength, corrosion resistance, and low outgassing properties.
  • Sizes:
    • CF flanges are designated by their outer diameter in millimeters.
    • CF16
    • CF35
    • CF63
    • CF100
    • CF150
    • CF200

02. Gaskets

• Copper Gaskets (standard): High-purity, soft annealed copper deforms against the flange knife-edges to create a leak-tight seal. Single-use due to permanent deformation during sealing.
• Silver-Plated Copper Gaskets: Prevent sticking at high bake-out temperatures.
• Aluminum Gaskets: Used in non-magnetic systems or for specific temperature requirements.
• Gasket Performance: Suitable for bake-out up to 450°C for copper and 250°C for aluminum.

03. Bolts and Nuts

• Material: Stainless steel, with vented versions to prevent trapped gases.
• Vented Screws: Allow outgassing of trapped air to avoid virtual leaks.

04. Fittings

• Elbows: 90° and 45° bends for redirecting vacuum lines.
• Tees and Crosses: Used for branching vacuum lines or integrating additional components.
• Adapters: Transition between CF flanges of different sizes (e.g., CF35 to CF63). Adapt CF flanges to other flange types like ISO-KF or ISO flanges.
• Blank Flanges: Used to seal off unused ports in a vacuum system.
• Rotatable and Fixed Flanges:
  • Fixed CF Flanges: Non-rotatable; bolt holes are fixed.
  • Rotatable CF Flanges: Outer bolt ring rotates for easier alignment during installation.
• Reducers: Transition between larger and smaller CF flange sizes.