How to achieve higher sealing performance and longer service life for vacuum flanges

　　The sealing performance and service life of vacuum flanges are the key to the stable and reliable operation of vacuum systems. To achieve these two major goals, it is necessary to systematically optimize from three levels: design selection, installation and maintenance, and operational standards.

　　1、 Choosing the right one: Material and type are key

　　Watch a joint selection of French:

　　Extremely high requirements (such as ultra-high vacuum, requiring high-temperature baking): Use CF flanges. Its metal to metal sealing is the most reliable.

　　Ordinary high vacuum: Use ISO-KF (small caliber) or ISO-F (large caliber) flanges. They are sealed with rubber rings, which is economical.

　　The sealing ring is the soul:

　　Preferred fluororubber (FKM/Viton). It has a low gas release rate, good high temperature and chemical resistance, making it the best choice for balancing performance and cost.

　　The copper sealing ring of CF flange is basically disposable, and repeated use will cause leakage.

　　2、 Correct installation: Standardized operation is the core

　　Absolute cleanliness:

　　Before installation, use non-woven fabric dipped in isopropanol to thoroughly clean the flange sealing surface and sealing ring groove, ensuring that there are no fingerprints, dust, or oil stains.

　　Correctly install the sealing ring:

　　The rubber ring should be placed flat in the groove and should not be twisted or stretched.

　　The metal ring should be placed upright to ensure that the blade can be evenly pressed in.

　　The golden rule for tightening bolts:

　　It is necessary to use a torque wrench. Tightening it by hand is highly likely to cause problems.

　　Slowly tighten to the specified torque value in two to three steps in diagonal order. This is the only way to ensure even force distribution, without leakage or damage to the parts.

　　3、 Nurturing the Right: Careful Maintenance for Long Term Preservation

　　Protect the sealing surface:

　　When the flange is not installed, always cover it with a protective cover. Even minor scratches or bumps on the sealing surface can cause leakage.

　　Gentle disassembly:

　　Check the sealing ring during disassembly, and replace it promptly if there are permanent indentations, cracks, or loss of elasticity.

　　For CF flanges, if there are copper chips or burrs on the cutting edge, they should be gently polished off along the slope with a fine oilstone before the next installation.

　　Reasonable storage:

　　The spare rubber sealing ring should be placed in a dark and cool sealed bag to prevent aging.

　　Summary:

　　To seal well: choose the right material, thoroughly clean, and tighten evenly with a torque wrench.

　　To use for a long time: protect the sealing surface, operate according to the specified torque, and replace damaged sealing rings in a timely manner.

　　By grasping these points, the performance and lifespan of vacuum flanges can be significantly improved in the most direct and effective way.