ConFlat (CF) Flanges

ConFlat flange (CF) UHV components 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 materials include 304L, 316LN stainless steel, titanium, and bimetal aluminum and titanium. Other materials such as 316L stainless steel and 6061 T6 aluminum are available upon request.

 

304L CF Flanges

304L ConFlat flanges are the industry standard for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems. 304L stainless steel has lower carbon content than 304 stainless steel, making it good for welding and offering better corrosion resistance than 304.

 

316LN CF Flanges

316LN ConFlat flanges are machined from electroslag remelt (ESR) low carbon, nitrogen-rich material. 316LN CF flanges feature low magnetic permeability and increased resistance to irradiation damage, crevice corrosion, and pitting.

 

Bimetal CF Flanges

Bimetal ConFlat flanges feature a stainless steel or titanium flange face with an aluminum base. These CF flanges are manufactured using an explosion welding process to fuse the dissimilar metals and create a strong, vacuum-tight bond. Available types include 316SS-Al, 304SS-Al, and Ti-Al.

 

Titanium CF Flanges

Titanium ConFlat flanges are an excellent choice for UHV and XHV applications requiring low magnetism, low Z attribute, high corrosion resistance, a low outgassing rate, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Titanium CF flanges are available in industry standard sizes and configurations.

 

The ConFlat Flange System

The CF flange system provides a complete range of flanges to mount with tubing sized ¾” to 14” diameter. The CF seal assembly consists of two mating flanges, a sealing gasket, and fasteners to compress the gasket between two the two flanges.

 

CF Standard Sealing Assemblies

In a sealing pair of CF flanges, each contains an identical flange face with a knife-edge machined into the surface. A copper or FKM gasket is placed into the gasket capture groove of one of the two flanges. The flanges compress the gasket as the fastening bolts are tightened. This pressure forces the knife-edges of the two flanges into the gasket, creating an annular groove. The gasket material cold flows under this pressure and fills the microscopic surface imperfections on the sealing knife-edges, creating a vacuum-tight seal capable of withstanding temperature extremes from -200°C to 450°C and pressures as low as 1×10-13 Torr.

 

CF Standard Sealing Assemblies diagram

CF flanges are available in two general styles: fixed and rotatable. Fixed CF flanges have a set bolt hole orientation while rotatable flanges have a two-piece design allowing for bolt hole rotation to ease alignment when mating the two flanges.

 

CF rotatable flanges consist of two pieces: the insert (in which the knife-edge is machined) and the housing (in which the bolt holes are machined). When installing these components, the housing is placed behind the insert on the tubing prior to welding the insert to the tubing.

 

Both fixed and rotatable flanges are available with clearance (through) or tapped bolt holes. Clearance bolt holes are tightened with a nut on the back side of the flange assembly, whereas tapped bolt holes are threaded to receive and tighten the bolt directly into the flange.