When you’re dealing with vacuum systems, the littlest components can influence the success or otherwise of your entire project.
Choosing the exact type of feedthrough to use can be a very daunting decision.
In this guide, we’ll tell you which to choose for your vacuum systems and why.
Let’s go.
What Exactly Are Ceramic Feedthroughs?
Ceramic feedthroughs are a peculiar, advanced ceramic material component.
They are ceramic-to-metal fabrications, and their common usage centers around the transmission of power and electrical signals.
This isn’t limited to the transmission of high voltages and even fluids in some cases between different external sources.
This often comes as transmission from a source to a hermetically sealed chamber.
They do this while preserving the electrical insulation and its hermeticity.
Several of the unique features of ceramic feedthroughs can come in quite handy, especially if you’re working on a project that is demanding.
These are as they are non-contested for demanding projects like manufacturing equipment, X-ray systems, and similar others.
Thus, making the need for high voltage feedthrough is very important to you.
These excellent attributes of ceramic feedthrough can make your system achieve a more stable and even faster output.
For instance, let’s say you’re working on projects that need a d sub vacuum feedthrough.
Choosing a d sub vacuum feedthrough that has a ceramic insulator can foster its ability to resist thermal stress and voltage breakdowns.
Moreover, ceramic feedthroughs are a coveted material in applications like mass spectrometers, vacuum chambers, and many similar sensitive devices.
When precision and safety are important, ceramic feedthroughs are the perfect material to use.
This application is due to their nonporous quality and how they remarkably resist leaks
Even standard vacuum feedthrough electrical connectors, which are made with glass or metall can’t outperform ceramic feedthroughs.
Especially when long-term vacuum integrity is core.
And let’s quickly add this.
Ceramic electrical feedthroughs are not just for transmitting signals.
They’re also immensely important for high-voltage feedthrough setups.
Especially where mechanical stability and dielectric strength are of importance.
Are you upgrading or creating a vacuum system?
Is it in the aerospace, medical, or research industries?
Either way, it is, ceramic feedthroughs can give you the durability and exact performance you need.
When you choose a ceramic vacuum feedthrough electrical connector designed with an advanced ceramic material.
You’re investing in the overall safety of your produce.
And if it’s for a d sub vacuum feedthrough or a more specialized high voltage feedthrough application.
Or even any similar high voltage feedthrough application.
Ceramic designs give you an advantage to make your systems achieve just what you want.
What Are Glass Feedthroughs?
Glass feedthroughs are the perfect choice for you when you’re particular about cost and as well as the sealing.
Glass feedthroughs use hermetically sealed glass-to-metal bonds.
They use this to transfer powers or fluids, as the case may be, between external environments.
They do this while ensuring that the vacuum seal isn’t compromised.
Similarly, when it comes to usage, glass feedthroughs are the best use in d sub vacuum feedthrough applications..
And most especially when medium voltage requirements and compact designs are present.
So if you’re working with a setup that doesn’t need high electrical insulation.
Then, a glass-based vacuum feedthrough electrical connector will be the perfect choice for you..
Some of their common applications include vacuum furnaces, electron microscopes, and even medium-vacuum systems.
Essentially, when reliability and non-leakage are essential, they are the perfect choice for you.
Another remarkable quality of glass ceramic feedthroughs is that they can create a very rigid and tight seal.
This helps to prevent leakage.
For instance, when they’re used as a part of d sub vacuum feedthrough, the glass sealing technology does this:
It makes sure that both glasses and all other contaminants are effectively prevented from coming in.
If it happens that you’re working in environments with extreme voltages, then you’d have noticed that this:
High voltage feedthrough built from glass might not give you the safety margin as one made with advanced ceramic materials.
Similarly, when you need a top-notch performance, reliability, and transmission in high voltage feedthrough scenarios.
Then you’d have noticed that glass may not always be the most ideal option.
It is even more so when it is compared to solutions that use advanced ceramic materials.
But even at this, for systems that require less intensity glass-based vacuum feedthrough electrical connector gives a solid electrical isolation.
And not just that, they offer simplicity and save costs.
You’ll still find many industries opting for these in lower voltage electrical feedthroughs.
Particularly when space constraints or budget limitations are a concern.
And before we move on, it’s important that you’re aware of the limitations of glass in a thermal shock environment.
Or when it’s subjected to very overwhelming mechanical stress.
As compared to advanced ceramic materials, glass does not give the same type of resistance to cracking.
And this can be a major factor if your d sub vacuum feedthrough is subject to constant shifts in temperature.
So, this is why you might need to check and confirm if a high voltage feedthrough is the best for you.
Especially those that use advanced ceramic materials might be the best for you.
Glass feedthroughs are such an excellent choice for so many systems.
Between Ceramic Feedthroughs And Glass Feedthroughs, Which One Should You Choose For Your Vacuum Systems?
When choosing between getting ceramic feedthroughs and glass feedthroughs for your vacuum system.
You must remember that there’s no conventional answer.
This is because the best choice entirely depends on several factors, like:
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The specific application
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Long-term goals
And other necessary specific performance requirements.
So whether you’re working on a compact d sub vacuum feedthrough setup or managing a much larger scale system.
Each type of feedthrough gives you different benefits.
These are five important things you need to consider when choosing the vacuum feedthrough electrical connector to use:
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Insulation And Voltage Handling
If you’re working on a project that needs high electrical insulation and needs to be able to handle high voltage.
Then, ceramic feedthroughs, the types that are produced using advanced ceramic materials, will give you the best results.
This is because they’re ideal for high voltage feedthrough applications, especially where dielectric strength is of utmost importance.
Now, glass feedthroughs can, of course, handle moderate voltages.
But when you use them in more demanding high voltage environments, they may fall short.
So, if you’re dealing with electric feedthroughs that are distantly subjected to heavy voltage or current.
Then ceramic feedthrough will be a better option.
This type of difference is more noticeable in d sub vacuum feedthrough setups for X-ray and plasma systems.
These are situations where ceramic prevents the breakdown of voltage better than glass.
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Thermal And Mechanical Durability
You should know that vacuum systems are usually subjected to very intense temperatures and daunting physical stress.
So, from this, ceramic feedthroughs that are produced from advanced ceramic materials perform better than glass.
Ceramic resists mechanical vibration and thermal shock better.
This makes ceramic feedthroughs the best ones, especially for systems that need constant cooling and heating.
So, if you’re creating a vacuum feedthrough electrical connector, especially for a research lab or industrial furnace.
Then you’ll need a type that will not crack or deform when subjected to pressure.
Although glass feedthroughs can also perform in controlled environments, they’re prone to fracture when subjected to thermal stress.
This is especially true in high voltage feedthrough use cases.
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Sealing And Leak Resistance
Ceramic and glass feedthroughs are both designed to prevent leaks; however, their sealing method are way different.
Glass through feedthroughs make use of glass-to-metal seals, which are perfect for medium-sized systems.
On the other hand, advanced ceramic materials promise a more lasting seal
And this is especially true in ultra-high vacuum environments.
So, if it happens that your system requires a leak-free d sub vacuum feedthrough or similar vacuum electrical connector.
Then ceramic feedthrough will give your vacuum better durability.
This is important for electrical feedthroughs used in space simulation chambers, and similar usage where leakage can compromise your operation.
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Cost And Availability
Now this is so important.
When you’re particular about budget, then glass feedthroughs are your best option.
This is because they are more affordable.
Moreover thyere easier to source for a standard d sub vacuum feedthrough setup.
So, when you’re dealing with less demanding applications, they’re a great choice for both performance and cost.
Ceramic feedthroughs that are produced using advanced ceramic materials are way more expensive.
However, they’re worth every dime, especially when it comes to high voltage feedthrough applications, operational failure can be disastrous.
It’s like making an upfront payment to avoid expensive maintenance later on.
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Application-Specific Suitability
More importanty you need to ask this:
What exactly does your equipment really need?
Now, if it happens that you’re working with a fragile signal transmission system that uses a vacuum feedthrough electrical connector.
And at the same time, your voltage demand isn’t as high.
Using a glass feedthrough might be the best ption for you here.
However, if it happens that your application deals with high powered electrical feedthroughs.
They will be used frequently.
They will be subjected to harsh vacuum conditions.
Then ceramic feedthroughs made from advance ceramic materials are the best.
For systems like d sub vacuum feedthrough on electron beam equipment, using ceramic can guarantee safety and durability.
Finally, knowing your equipment, and;
Knowing what will work best for it is the first step to choosing the right vacuum feedthrough electrical connector.
So, whether you’re dealing with high voltage feedthrough or d sub vacuum feedthrough, these will help you to choose right.
In Conclusion
So, which one should you choose between glass and ceramic feedthrough?
By now, you should have understood that the answer depends on personalized factors like applications, etc…
But now that you’ve gotten the exact type to choose from.
Message ggsceramics now and let’s get you just the type you need.