UC Components, Inc. RediVac® Vacuum Baking Process
High and ultra-high vacuum applications require parts that are free from volatile materials that would lead to contamination of the vacuum system. The vacuum baking process, also called bake-out, involves placing the parts into a chamber and heating them, under vacuum, to drive out gases and other contaminants trapped in the parts. The process utilizes high heat and removes surface water and residual volatile compounds that may still be on or inside of the fastener, o-ring, washer, or nut from the manufacturing process. The bake-out basically artificially accelerates the process of outgassing; removing impurities and allowing the components to be installed immediately in ultra-high vacuum or ultra-high purity systems without any fear of contamination.
What are the most common contaminants that the bake-out process removes?
- Water
- Residual hydrocarbons
The RediVac® Vacuum Baking Process is just one of the finish options that UC Components, Inc. offers for our family of RediVac® precision cleaned and clean-packaged fasteners, washers, nuts, and O-rings.
Our RediVac® Vacuum Baking Process offers an added level of cleanliness assurance by minimizing residual hydrocarbons and water vapor, to significantly reduce outgassing and residual surface contaminants. By baking-out under vacuum, we can meet or exceed the requirements of many of today’s leading scientific research facilities, beam lines, and test chambers operating HV, UHV, and EUV environments.
The baking cycle is monitored by Residual Gas Analysis (RGA). The applicable RGA readout contains detailed graphical information showing the contaminants removed. The RGA allows us to closely track each lot and a full process certification is available for each lot upon request.
Why choose the UC RediVac® Vacuum Baking Process:
- Minimize residual hydrocarbons and water vapor
- Significantly reduces outgassing and residual surface contaminants
All UC Components, Inc. RediVac® hardware is packaged in certified Class 100 poly bags within our dedicated ISO Class 5 Cleanroom. A variety of custom packaging options are available upon request.
We work hard to engineer faster pump-down times and a more complete evacuation of your vacuum systems. Request a quote or contact UC Components, Inc. for more information.