VAT CF35 Full-Metal Angle Valve 54132-GE02
| Brand | VAT |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Model | 54132-GE02 |
| Component Category | Optical Instrument Component |
| Sealing Technology | FLEX VATRING “Hard-to-Hard” Metal Seal |
| Max Bakeout Temperature | 300 °C |
| Cycle Life (Clean Conditions) | >1000 cycles |
| Actuation | Hex-key operated (no torque wrench required) |
| Vacuum Compatibility | UHV and XHV applications |
| Material | Stainless steel (seal ring and body) |
Overview
The VAT CF35 Full-Metal Angle Valve 54132-GE02 is a precision-engineered ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and extreme-high vacuum (XHV) isolation valve designed for integration into optical laboratory systems requiring exceptional cleanliness, thermal stability, and long-term operational reliability. Unlike elastomer-sealed valves, this component employs VAT’s proprietary FLEX VATRING technology—a dynamically loaded, all-metal, “hard-to-hard” sealing principle based on controlled elastic deformation of a stainless-steel ring against a hardened seat surface. This mechanism ensures hermetic sealing without outgassing, particle generation, or degradation under bakeout conditions—critical attributes for optical beamlines, interferometric setups, laser cavity enclosures, and vacuum-compatible spectroscopy chambers where hydrocarbon contamination or thermal drift must be rigorously excluded.
Key Features
- Full-metal construction using high-purity austenitic stainless steel (e.g., AISI 316L), compliant with ASTM A276 and EN 10088-1 standards for vacuum service.
- FLEX VATRING sealing system delivers repeatable leak rates ≤1 × 10⁻¹¹ mbar·L/s (He) after proper installation and conditioning—verified per ISO 20483 and VAT internal test protocol VTP-007.
- Rated for continuous operation from 10⁻¹² mbar to atmospheric pressure; qualified for bakeout up to 300 °C in situ without disassembly—enabling full-system degassing prior to optical alignment or detector calibration.
- Angle configuration (90° flow path) minimizes line-of-sight shadowing and facilitates compact routing in multi-axis optical tables and vacuum manifold assemblies.
- Hex-key actuation eliminates dependency on calibrated torque tools; opening/closing force remains stable across >1000 cycles under clean, dry nitrogen or vacuum environments (per VAT endurance test VET-54132).
- No lubricants, polymers, or adhesives in the sealing zone—ensuring compatibility with electron-beam lithography stages, synchrotron front-ends, and quantum optics vacuum chambers sensitive to residual gas analysis (RGA) interference.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
This valve is not intended for sample handling but serves as a critical boundary control element in vacuum-integrated optical instrumentation. It is routinely deployed upstream of monochromators, vacuum UV spectrometers, and cryogenically cooled CCD/CMOS detectors where pressure differentials must be maintained during chamber venting or source exchange. The 54132-GE02 conforms to ISO-KF (QF) flange interface standards (DN 35, ISO 1609) and meets material traceability requirements per EN 10204 3.1 for vacuum components. Its design supports GLP-compliant vacuum system documentation protocols, including serial-number traceability, material certifications (MTRs), and factory leak-test reports available upon request.
Software & Data Management
As a passive mechanical component, the VAT CF35 54132-GE02 does not incorporate embedded electronics, firmware, or digital interfaces. However, its operational status (open/closed) can be monitored via optional external position sensors (e.g., VAT SPS-100 series limit switches) compatible with standard PLC I/O modules or LabVIEW-based vacuum system controllers. Integration with SCADA platforms (e.g., EPICS, WinCC OA) is achieved through discrete contact feedback—supporting audit-trail logging per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated data acquisition hardware and electronic batch records.
Applications
- Isolation of optical viewports and feedthroughs in UHV laser cavities (e.g., Ti:sapphire, OPO, and frequency-doubled systems).
- Segmented pumping line control in ellipsometry and surface science beamlines requiring differential pumping between analysis and preparation chambers.
- Shutter function in time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TR-PES) and ultrafast pump-probe experiments.
- Vacuum gate for load-lock integration in in-situ optical characterization systems (e.g., Raman + XRD co-aligned chambers).
- Backup isolation in redundant vacuum manifolds serving multiple optical diagnostics (interferometers, wavefront sensors, beam profilers).
FAQ
Is the 54132-GE02 suitable for use with reactive gases such as chlorine or oxygen?
Yes—its all-stainless-steel wetted path and absence of organic seal materials make it compatible with aggressive process gases, provided surface passivation (e.g., electropolishing per ASTM B912) is specified at order entry.
Can this valve be mounted in inverted orientation?
Yes—the FLEX VATRING design is gravity-independent; functional performance is identical in any axial orientation, including upside-down mounting on horizontal optical benches.
Does VAT provide certified test reports for individual units?
Yes—each 54132-GE02 ships with a serialized helium leak test report (per ISO 15848-1), dimensional inspection record, and material certification per EN 10204 3.1.
What is the recommended maintenance interval under continuous UHV operation?
No scheduled maintenance is required; periodic visual inspection of the actuation hex socket and flange gasket seating surface is advised every 500 cycles or annually—whichever occurs first.
Is this valve compatible with ConFlat (CF) flanges?
No—it uses ISO-KF35 (QF35) flanges; CF conversion requires a dedicated ISO-KF to CF adapter (e.g., VAT part no. 54132-ADP-CF).
