{"id":2087,"date":"2017-10-10T07:04:27","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T14:04:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/?p=2087"},"modified":"2021-02-11T08:15:46","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T16:15:46","slug":"re-use-a-helicoflex-gasket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/re-use-a-helicoflex-gasket\/","title":{"rendered":"Reusing a Helicoflex gasket"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can you re-use a Helicoflex gasket?\u00a0 The answer is yes, sometimes.<\/p>\n

A Helicoflex gasket uses the concept of plastically deforming to seal between two flat and polished surfaces instead of the much more common knife edge seal used with copper gaskets and CF flanges.<\/p>\n

On Physical Electronics X-ray Photoelectron spectrometers Helicoflex gaskets are used on the monochromator, the SCA (spherical capacitive analyzer) and the LS specimen stage.<\/p>\n

Here is a link to information on how a Helicoflex gasket works –\u00a0 http:\/\/technetics.com\/products\/sealing-solutions\/metal-seals\/helicoflex-delta\/<\/a><\/p>\n

First of all, Helicoflex gaskets are designed to be used only once.\u00a0\u00a0 However,\u00a0 since these gaskets are expensive it may be worth trying to reuse it as long as you have a new gasket on hand in case the trick I will show\u00a0 you in this blog post does not work.\u00a0 My success rate with this trick is about 50%.\u00a0 RBD Instruments provides most of the Helicoflex gaskets used on PHI XPS systems.<\/p>\n

For this example, I will attempt to make it possible to reuse a monochromator gasket as shown in the picture below.<\/p>\n

\"monochromator_gasket\"

Note that once compressed, the center surface of the gasket is flattened out.<\/p>\n

\"better_view_of_flat_area\"

Step one is to uncompress the gasket.\u00a0\u00a0 To do that, find a spot on the outside edge of the gasket where you can insert a small screw driver and gently spread open the two lips of the gasket enough to get a large flat head screwdriver inside.<\/p>\n

\"insert_small_screwdriver\"

Then, carefully work the large flat head screw driver around the perimeter of the gasket until the entire gasket is un-compressed.\u00a0 Try not to deform the edges of the slit.<\/p>\n

\"insert_large_screwdriver\"

During this process the gasket will become deformed.\u00a0 Use a round surface such as a Philips screwdriver to smooth out the bumps without re-compressing the gasket.<\/p>\n

\"smooth_out\"

Next, using a very fine emery cloth (I used some 30uM 3M sand paper) smooth out the edges of the flat surface on the gasket.\u00a0 You just want to break the edges, not make it round.<\/p>\n

\"break_edge_on_flat\"

Clean the gasket with isopropanol or methanol to remove the small particles.<\/p>\n

\"clean_with_IPA\"

Finally, use a small amount of Apiezon<\/a> L or other HV or UHV vacuum grease to the surface of the gasket (on the flat area).\u00a0\u00a0 You want to use a very small amount and spread it out evenly.\u00a0 The vacuum grease will help to fill in any small scratches.\u00a0\u00a0 Wipe off the inside and outside of the gasket.\u00a0\u00a0 You only want a small amount on the flat area.<\/p>\n

\"small_amount_of_vacuum_grease\"

You are now ready to install the gasket.\u00a0\u00a0 Good luck!<\/p>\n

The gasket that I used in this blog post did seal fine, so I got lucky.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This post shows a method for re-using a Helicoflex gasket. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[164],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/monochromator_gasket.jpg?fit=972%2C648&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2DEXo-xF","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2918,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/removing-and-installing-copper-gaskets-on-vacuum-chambers\/","url_meta":{"origin":2087,"position":0},"title":"Removing and Installing Copper Gaskets On Vacuum Chambers","author":"Randy","date":"August 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Information on how to remove and install copper gaskets on UHV vacuum chambers.","rel":"","context":"In "General Optics and Vacuum"","block_context":{"text":"General Optics and Vacuum","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/category\/general-optics-and-vacuum\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-inch-gasket-with-tape.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-inch-gasket-with-tape.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-inch-gasket-with-tape.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/6-inch-gasket-with-tape.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":387,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/protect-the-cf-flange-knife-edge\/","url_meta":{"origin":2087,"position":1},"title":"Protect the CF flange knife edge","author":"Randy","date":"April 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"The CF flange (also commonly referred to as the Varian trade-marked Conflat) uses a knife edge that cuts into a soft metal gasket (usually copper) to provide a leak-tight metal-to-metal seal. \u201cProtect the knife edge at all costs\u201d is a common catchphrase at RBD Instruments that we like to drill\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Optics and Vacuum"","block_context":{"text":"General Optics and Vacuum","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/category\/general-optics-and-vacuum\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"tilt pliers back to remove copper gasket on CF flange","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/tilt-pliers-back.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":606,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/tnbx-ion-pump\/","url_meta":{"origin":2087,"position":2},"title":"Servicing a P-E TNBX Ion Pump Well","author":"Joe Caterinicchio","date":"February 21, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"RBD Instruments provides all of the parts that you need to rebuild these TNBX ion pump wells.\u00a0 Contact us for more information.\u00a0 For best results, read this entire post and then look at the pictures at the bottom of the post. The P-E (Perkin Elmer) TNBX style of Ion Pump\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Optics and Vacuum"","block_context":{"text":"General Optics and Vacuum","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/category\/general-optics-and-vacuum\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"poppet-valve-scissors-assembly-installed","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/poppet-valve-scissors-assembly-installed.jpg?fit=486%2C324&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1562,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/kratos-monochromator-adjustment\/","url_meta":{"origin":2087,"position":3},"title":"Kratos Monochromator adjustment","author":"Randy","date":"September 3, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"This Kratos monochromator adjustment procedure is used on the Kratos Axis, 165, Ultra and Nova monochromators. Steps involved in optimizing the performance of the Al Monochromatic x-ray source: First, load a sample bar containing a grid alongside a clean Ag foil sample at the same height. Using the Mg source\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "X-ray Sources"","block_context":{"text":"X-ray Sources","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/category\/x-ray-sources\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"monochromator-micrometers","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/monochromator-micrometers.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/monochromator-micrometers.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/monochromator-micrometers.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2992,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/monochromator-upgrade-for-phi-5600-xps-system\/","url_meta":{"origin":2087,"position":4},"title":"Monochromator upgrade for PHI 5600 XPS system","author":"Randy","date":"September 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Installing a monochromator This blog post shows the steps required to install a monochromator upgrade on a PHI 5600 XPS system. The components of a monochromator upgrade include the monochromator housing, the crystal substrate and aligner, the mono X-ray source, and the X-ray source aligner.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If your X-ray source is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Optics and Vacuum"","block_context":{"text":"General Optics and Vacuum","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/category\/general-optics-and-vacuum\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monochromator-schematic.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monochromator-schematic.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monochromator-schematic.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2891,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/argon-bottle-installation-procedure\/","url_meta":{"origin":2087,"position":5},"title":"Argon Bottle Installation Procedure","author":"Randy","date":"June 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This procedure explains how to install and pump out a 25cc argon gas bottle for an 04-303 or 06-350 ion gun used on PHI XPS and AES systems.","rel":"","context":"In "General Optics and Vacuum"","block_context":{"text":"General Optics and Vacuum","link":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/category\/general-optics-and-vacuum\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"25cc-argon-bottle","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/25cc-argon-bottle.jpg?fit=756%2C756&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/25cc-argon-bottle.jpg?fit=756%2C756&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/25cc-argon-bottle.jpg?fit=756%2C756&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2087"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3137,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087\/revisions\/3137"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbdinstruments.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}