Microcertec - Glass-to-Metal Seals Connectors
Microcertec offer a variety of leak-tight glass-to-metal seals : single lead or multiple-pin connectors designs which are manufactured by its sister company CTVM. The designs of these assemblies are based on sealing glass and Kovar, molybdenum or stainless steel 316 L metals. They are used in such applications as ignition devices, aerospace and submarine connectors, vacuumm and high-vacuum equipment.
Hermetic glass-to-metal assemblies are particularly suited for use in such severe environments as, for instance :
- airborne electronics for the aerospace - civilian and military,
- defense devices,
- medical and analytical instruments,
- high-energy physics, high and very high vacuum,
- energy industry.
When designing a glass to metal seal, the choice of glass grade and metal is of prime importance. Both must have a matched or close thermal expansion coefficient.
Glass grades are typically electronic glass type - Schott 8250 -, dedicated sealing preform glass, but also borosilicate glass.
The metal that is directly joined to the glass must have a close coefficient of thermal expansion so that the risk of residual stress in the seal that would lead to rupture is minimized. Those that are mainly used are nickel-iron alloys - Kovar, FN48, FN52… - stainless steel, molybdenum.