Flag Style Sample Holder Plate 🚩🔬

🚩 Flag Style Sample Holder Plates: Advanced Material Selection for UHV, High-Temperature, and Cryogenic Applications

Flag Style Sample Holder Plates are essential components for securely mounting samples in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) systems, high-temperature furnaces, and cryogenic environments. Material selection is critical to ensure mechanical stability, minimal outgassing, chemical resistance, thermal performance, and magnetic neutrality. Below, we summarize the key properties, performance data, and practical considerations for commonly used materials.

V=0.2844 cm³

High Vacuum Compliant and Cleaned

ST304 & ST316L - Stainless Steel

• X5CrNi18-10 1.4301 (AISI 304)
• X2CrNiMo18-14-3 1.4435 (AISI 316L)

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~1,400–1,450 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: ~15 W/m·K
• Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C): ~16–17 µm/m·°C
• Magnetization: Largely non-magnetic—but not completely non-magnetic; slight magnetism may occur if cold-worked
• Density: ~7.93 g/cm³ | ~8.00 g/cm³ (2.26 g | 2.28 g)

Applications: Stainless steel is ideal for general laboratory setups and room-temperature UHV applications. 316L is preferred for corrosive environments or where superior chemical resistance is required.

Cu & Cu/Au - Copper 99.99%

• CW009A Cu-OFE 2.0040 (C10100)
• Electroless Nickel (Ni-P 15%) + Gold-Plated ≥1 μm – Non-Magnetic

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~1,085 °C
• High thermal conductivity: ~390-400 W/m·K
• Thermal expansion coefficient (20–100 °C): ~16.5–17 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic, Low outgassing in UHV
• Gold-plated version provides non-magnetic corrosion resistance
• Density: ~8.94 g/cm³ (2.54 g)

Applications: Excellent for heat dissipation and maintaining UHV conditions across a wide temperature range, from cryogenic to elevated temperatures. Electroless nickel and gold coatings prevent oxidation, improve surface conductivity, and ensure stability in both high-vacuum and cryogenic environments.

Ti - Titanium 3.7035 (Grade 2)

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~1,660 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: ~21 W/m·K
• Thermal Expansion: ~8.5 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic, lightweight, corrosion-resistant
• Density: ~4.51 g/cm³ (1.28 g)

Applications: Suitable for high-temperature and cryogenic UHV applications, particularly when low weight is required.

Mo - Molybdenum 99.97%

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): 2,623 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: 138 W/m·K
• Thermal Expansion: 5.5 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~10.22 g/cm³ (2.90 g)

Applications: Ideal for high-temperature and cryogenic applications due to low thermal expansion and high strength.

Ta - Tantalum 99.95%

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): 3,020 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: 57 W/m·K
• Thermal Expansion: 7.3 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~16.65 g/cm³ (4.72 g)

Applications: Corrosion-resistant, stable under high temperatures, chemically inert, and suitable for UHV and cleanroom applications.

W - Tungsten 99.95%

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): 3,422 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: 174 W/m·K
• Thermal Expansion: 4.5 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~19.25 g/cm³ (5.48 g)

Applications: Extremely heat-resistant and mechanically robust. Performs well in high-temperature and cryogenic UHV setups.

Al2O3 - Aluminium Oxide Al₂O₃

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~2,072 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: ~30 W/m·K (depends on sintering and grain orientation)
• Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C): ~7–8 µm/m·°C
• Electrical Resistivity: >10¹¹ Ω·mm at room temperature
  
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~3.95–3.98 g/cm³ (1.12 g)
• High hardness, chemically inert
  

Applications: Ideal for electrical isolation and structural stability under UHV and high-temperature conditions.

Al - Aluminium EN AW-6082 3.2315 (AlSi1MgMn)

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~555–650 °C
  
• Thermal conductivity: ~170–180 W/m·K
• Thermal expansion: ~23–24 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~2.70 g/cm³ (0.77 g)
  
• Moderate strength and corrosion resistance

Applications: Useful when low mass is needed and moderate temperatures are expected.

CuBe2 - Copper Beryllium CuBe2 2.1247 (Alloy 25)

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~870–1,030 °C
• Thermal Conductivity: ~105–120 W/m·K
• Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C): ~17 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~8.25 g/cm³ (2.35 g)

Applications: Suitable for precision sample mounts requiring mechanical strength and UHV compatibility.

⚠️ Note: CuBe2 is considered toxic if machined, especially during grinding, cutting, or welding. Not generally recommended for UHV applications unless safety precautions are in place.

Inconel NiCr19Fe19Nb5Mo3 2.4668 (Alloy 718)

Specifications & Properties:

• Melting Point (at atmospheric pressure): ~1,300–1,350 °C (solidus)
• Thermal Conductivity: ~11–12 W/m·K (at room temperature)
• Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C): ~13 µm/m·°C
• Paramagnetic
• Density: ~8.19 g/cm³ (2.33 g)

Applications: High-temperature UHV applications where mechanical integrity must be maintained. Excellent resistance to oxidation, carburization, and corrosion in high-temperature environments

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate material for Flag Style Sample Holder Plates is essential for reliable operation in extreme conditions. Stainless steel and aluminium are suitable for general UHV use, while refractory metals like molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten excel under high temperatures or cryogenic conditions. Copper and copper-beryllium offer excellent thermal conductivity and UHV compliance, and coated variants provide non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant surfaces. For high-temperature, high-strength, and chemically aggressive environments, Inconel is the material of choice.

Vapor pressure Curves