Conflat (CF) Flanges and Fittings
ConFlat (CF) Flanges and Fittings
ConFlat (CF) flanges and fittings and wire seal flanges and fittings are part of the same family of ultra-high vacuum (UHV) components that compress a copper or elastomer gasket between two stainless steel flanges to create a vacuum-tight seal. The CF flange system is more commonly used within the vacuum industry for UHV systems and as such has a much larger standard product offering with faster delivery. Wire seal flanges are desirable for those applications that require flanges larger (> 16.5” diameter) than those available with the CF flange system.
Types of ConFlat (CF) Flanges and Fittings
ConFlat (CF) Flanges
CF flanges are available in a full range of sizes (1.33″ to 16.50″ outer diameter), fixed and rotatable styles, and tapped or clearance (through hole) bolt hole configurations. Standard CF flanges are available in 304L, 316LN stainless steel, titanium, and bimetal aluminum and titanium materials. Other materials such as 316L stainless steel and 6061 T6 aluminum are available upon request.
ConFlat (CF) Crosses
ConFlat (CF) crosses are manufactured with a flange on each end of an “X” shaped section of tubing. Crosses accommodate junctions or alignment considerations for vacuum system design. Crosses are also used as junction adapters between different tubing sizes or flange types. Crosses are available in 3 basic configurations 4-Way, 5-Way, 6-Way. The flanges on plain crosses are all from the same family. Reducer crosses change sizes within the same family of flanges.
ConFlat (CF) Elbows
ConFlat (CF) elbow fittings are manufactured with a flange on each end of a curved section of the tubing. Elbows accommodate turns or alignment considerations for vacuum system design. Elbows are offered in 4 designs 45° radius elbow, 90° radius elbow, 90° mitered elbow, 90° mitered high conductance elbow. These configurations accommodate a wide variety of system configurations and conductance requirements.
ConFlat (CF) Nipples
ConFlat (CF) nipples are manufactured with CF flanges on each end of a tube section. Fittings that are manufactured with different flange families on each end are called hybrid adapters. Straight nipples are manufactured with the same size flange on each end of a section of straight tubing. Reducer nipples have different size flanges (from the same family) on each end. In addition, reducer nipples are manufactured with straight and conical tube sections. Conical tube sections provide higher conductance. Flexible nipples are manufactured with a section of convoluted tubing. Nipple fittings are available in all CF sizes.
ConFlat (CF) Tees
CF tees are manufactured with a flange on each end of “T” shaped section of tubing. Two flanges are rotatable. The flanges on straight tees are all from the same family. Reducer tees change sizes within the same family of flanges. Adapter tees intermix flange families. Tees accommodate junctions or alignment considerations for vacuum system design.
ConFlat (CF) Special Purpose Flanges
Special purpose flanges serve a variety of useful functions in your vacuum system. Double-sided flanges are inserted between two flanges of the same size. These transition flanges allow thermocouple gauges or up-to-air valves to be quickly added to your vacuum system with minimal system alterations and minimal impact on system conductance. Zero-length reducer flanges are used to change sizes within the CF family while producing the smallest possible transition footprint (only 1 flange thickness). NPT Front Port and NPT Side Port flanges are designed to attach thermouple gauges or other threaded instruments to your system. Double-sided flanges with a side-mounted CF133 port are ideal for adding vacuum accessories to your system such as measurement devices, shutters and valves.
ConFlat (CF) Hardware and Seals
The bolt holes in CF flanges are manufactured in two basic configurations: tapped and through hole. Through hole flanges require longer bolts, but are otherwise identical to bolts for tapped flanges. Bolts for both configurations are produced in two basic styles: hex head and 12-point. 12-point bolts require a 12-point (socket) wrench. Through hole bolt kits come with standard hex head nuts or plate nuts. Plate nuts are ideal for applications with minimal clearance. The standard ultra high vacuum seal for a CF flange is a copper gasket. However, reusable Fluorocarbon (FKM) gaskets are available for high vacuum applications. Accessories include: anti-sieze thread lubricant and 12-point wrenches.
