There also is another advantage to switching the piping in a system. By switching to an ISO K connection, you can use smaller tubing than what is available with ASA connections. That tubing can be bent, he says, which means no elbow, no connection, no potential for leak, and the cost is significantly reduced. While there are some problems with welding aluminum that render it difficult for some chamber work, the fact that it dissipates heat well should attract customers, says Vaudreuil. The heat is on in semiconductor vacuum systems, says Burnard.
Heat extends the life of components dramatically.
The valving, gauging, and all of that stuff gets no build-up, no corrosion. People are looking to put temperature on everything to prevent corrosive condensing right down to components. Heat conductance properties of aluminum allow for a more even and efficient distribution of heat. Calif. Aluminum is 12 times better at conducting heat than stainless steel, says Tim Nilsson, director of Nor-Cal s marketing and sales efforts. We developed the Genesis, which is a modular system made out of aluminum and coated for resistance with electroless nickel.