Hermetically Sealed Connectors feature copper contacts.
January 21, 2010 -
Utilizing ceramic-to-metal sealing process, hermetically sealed circular connectors include optical fiber and miniature versions with aluminium and titanium bodies and copper alloy contacts. Ceramic sealing technology has fusion point that makes material suited to embed copper alloy contacts in aluminum bodies, combining sealing levels with leakage rate of less than 10-9 atm.cm³/s, lower weight, and optimal conductivity. Primary uses include onboard aeronautical and space applications.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
SOURIAU
25 Grumbacher road
York, PA, 17402
USA
Lightweight Hermetically Sealed Connectors with Copper Contacts
SOURIAU announces the availability of hermetically sealed connectors with aluminium and titanium bodies and copper alloy contacts, using a unique ceramic-to -metal sealing process developed by its subsidiary Pacific Aerospace & Electronics (PA&E). SOURIAU thus enhances its offer by providing a very wide range of lightweight hermetically sealed circular connectors, with weight savings of up to 60%, and including the only hermetically sealed optical fiber connector in the world. This connector line is primarily designed for onboard aeronautical and space applications.
Traditional unsealed connectors, often used for onboard applications, use copper alloy contacts (to provide good levels of electrical conductivity) and aluminium or composite bodies (to save weight). Up to now, sealed connectors, which are used to isolate two zones with different atmospheres, use ferronickel alloy contacts that are sealed into stainless steel bodies by fusing a pearl of glass between the contacts and the body. The high fusion temperature of glass makes it impossible to use high-performance copper alloy contacts and light weight aluminum or titanium bodies, as they would melt.
To address this issue, the SOURIAU group has developed a ceramic sealing technology with fusion point that is considerably lower than that of glass, making it an ideal material to embed copper alloy contacts in aluminum bodies, thus combining excellent sealing levels (leakage rate less than 10-9 atm.cm3/s), significant weight savings (up to 60% as compared with stainless steel bodies) and excellent levels of conductivity (5 times better when compared to ferronickel contacts).
The ceramic used is a polycrystalline material that creates a direct link between the metal and the ceramic during fusion. It creates a seal that is fully gas-tight and delivers remarkable electrical properties; its electrical resistance is 1x1018 ohms/cm, which means it provides excellent electrical insulation, even in miniature designs. These seals are also very rugged and withstand high vibrations as well as mechanical or thermal shocks.
There are several versions of the ceramic, that are tailored for use with a wide variety of materials (titanium, Inconel, platinum, etc.). It can withstand temperatures of up to 500 °C without the seal failure.
SOURIAU is thus able to provide a very wide range of lightweight hermetically sealed circular connectors, including optical fiber versions, and in particular to add to its 38999 and miniature connector ranges. These new products support SOURIAU´s strategy to reduce connector weights first implemented more than 10 years ago, and which reinforces its position as one of the world´s leading manufacturers of onboard circular connection technology for the aeronautics industry.
To find out more:
www.souriau.com
www.pacaero.com
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