How is everybody mounting their capilliary tubes?

For the design and construction details of ion guns, necessary for more advanced designs and lower vacuums.
Post Reply
ian_krase
Posts: 636
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:48 am
Real name: Ian Krase

How is everybody mounting their capilliary tubes?

Post by ian_krase »

The capillary tube I use for letting gas into my system is a .007 inch ID hypodermic needle, which is pretty thin walled and therefore does not match any kind of tube size or anything like that. I'm curious how people are making vacuum and gas tight seals between capillaries like this. Most people describe using Hysol or similar to glue them into tight-fitting holes --is there a better way?
User avatar
Dennis P Brown
Posts: 3147
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 10:46 am
Real name: Dennis Brown

Re: How is everybody mounting their capilliary tubes?

Post by Dennis P Brown »

I have done this many times and it works for high vacuum - I first get a small diameter 'capillary' copper tube (can be obtained at some hardware stores or online), that fits the smallest compression fitting (believe 1/16 inch diameter are available.) I then use conductive epoxy when I need electrical contact or just plain vacuum grade epoxy to seal the needle in the small diameter copper capillary tube (I shim by wrapping the needle with foil so it makes a tight fit inside the copper capillary tube.) I then use the small compression fitting to seal/hold the copper capillary tube in a compression fitting assembly. This assembly easily is fitted (using std stuff) to any swagelok system of larger size diameter or a flange with a threaded hole.
John Futter
Posts: 1848
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:29 pm
Real name: John Futter
Contact:

Re: How is everybody mounting their capilliary tubes?

Post by John Futter »

I have always soft soldered these.
see my previous posts on the correct liquid flux
good to ten to the minus ten millibar
Post Reply

Return to “Ion Gun Design and Construction (& FAQs)”