Valve design plays a huge role in the functioning of a vacuum system. Many factors need to be weighed when choosing the best type, including:

  • Leak rate
  • Conductance
  • Application compatibility
  • Expected service life
  • Ease of maintenance
  • Size
  • Price

Ball valves, poppet valves, and gate valves all have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to these different factors; this 3 part blog will discuss each type so you can choose the best one for your application.

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/2" class="solution]

Gate Valves

The majority of gate valves are made of 304 stainless steel, which ensures joint integrity and eliminates the possibility of virtual leaks. And it is also common to perform electropolishing inside and out. However, aluminum and mild steel are also used and are applicable in certain applications.

Look for a gate valve that will provide at least 100,000 cycles before requiring maintenance in most applications. When maintenance is required, the carriage is easily removable, as is the solenoid if used, and removing the valve from the system is not required.

Gate valves can also be used for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems, as can poppet valves. Ball valves are not suitable for UHV. A fluoroelastomer (e.g. Viton®) bonnet seal can can be used to achieve a base pressure of 10-9 Torr, and a copper bonnet seal can be used to achieve 10-10 Torr. Gate valve applications include isolation between vacuum volume and pump, isolation between the chamber and the load lock during sample introduction, access between the chamber and the load lock during sample transfer, and isolation between synchrotron beam lines and experimental stations.

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/2" class="solution]

Advantages

  • Material Strength
  • Durability
  • Ease of Maintenance
  • Ultra-high vacuum suitable

Disadvantages:

  • Collection of byproducts
  • Complicated internals
  • Requires more physical space

Previous posts in this series
#1 of 3: Ball Valves
#2 of 3: Poppet Valves

================================================================

IES Technical Sales is a high technology field sales representation and distribution company located in Danvers, MA. Contact Us to learn more about ANCORP vacuum valves or for general inquiries about vacuum, thin-film, temperature, fluid handling, and related metrology.