Welded fittings are vacuum components permanently connected to vacuum systems through welding. These fittings provide leak-tight, robust, and low-outgassing connections, making them ideal for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and high-reliability
systems.
Overview of Welded Fittings
- Purpose: Welded fittings ensure permanent, leak-tight connections in vacuum systems where joints must withstand high temperatures, mechanical stresses, and UHV conditions.
- Material: Typically made from stainless steel (304, 316L) for its corrosion resistance, strength, and low outgassing properties.
- Applications: Widely used in UHV systems, cryogenic systems, particle accelerators, and industrial vacuum equipment.
Types of Welded Fittings
1. Weld Stub Flanges
- Stainless steel stubs welded to pipes or chambers to attach standard flanges (CF, KF, or ISO).
- Available for CF, KF, and ISO flange systems.
2. Weld Elbows
- 90° or 45° elbows for directional changes in vacuum lines.
- Seamlessly welded into the vacuum system for reliability.
3. Weld Tees
- Allow for branching vacuum lines at 90° angles.
- Used to integrate multiple components or diagnostic ports into vacuum systems.
4. Weld Crosses
- Provide connections for four-way intersections in vacuum systems
5. Weld Reducers
- Transition between pipes or components of different diameters.
- Commonly used to adapt between large and small vacuum lines.
6. Weld Couplings
- Short cylindrical connectors welded to join two tubes or components permanently.
7. Weld Adapters
- Welded adapters transition between different flange types or tube sizes (e.g., CF flange to KF flange).
Applications
- Welded fittings are used in:
- Ultra-High Vacuum Systems (UHV)
- Surface science systems (e.g., STM, XPS).
- Particle accelerators and beamlines.
- Cryogenic Systems
- Welded joints are essential to prevent leaks at extreme low temperatures.
- Semiconductor Manufacturing
- High-vacuum equipment for thin-film deposition, etching, and lithography.
- Industrial Vacuum Systems
- Systems requiring reliable, long-term vacuum operation.
- Vacuum Chambers
- Custom welded fittings integrate pumps, diagnostic ports, and instrumentation.
