Date Published:Jun. 15. 2022 Date Updated:Dec. 19. 2023
No. 2: Vacuum environments
Vacuum technology is often used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
A vacuum is not required for all equipment. A vacuum would mainly be required for equipment that uses plasma or an electron beam.
A vacuum chamber is a box or room that has been converted into a vacuum environment using a vacuum pump.
Here, we introduce examples in which screws for vacuum equipment (special products) are used in a vacuum environment
A vacuum is not required for all equipment. A vacuum would mainly be required for equipment that uses plasma or an electron beam.
A vacuum chamber is a box or room that has been converted into a vacuum environment using a vacuum pump.
Here, we introduce examples in which screws for vacuum equipment (special products) are used in a vacuum environment
Why is a vacuum required for semiconductor manufacturing equipment?
・To reduce impurities and improve response quality
Performing processes such as film formation and etching in a vacuum with few impurities allows for higher quality treatment.
・To lower the boiling point
Lowering the boiling point allows for wafers to be treated at a low temperature.
Wafers are less apt to deform when temperature changes are controlled.
Finally, there is no need for manufacturing equipment to be built or designed to resist high temperatures.
・To generate plasma
A lower pressure also means that applied electricity can be lower.
A vacuum also allows plasma to be generated in a wide variety of gases.
Performing processes such as film formation and etching in a vacuum with few impurities allows for higher quality treatment.
・To lower the boiling point
Lowering the boiling point allows for wafers to be treated at a low temperature.
Wafers are less apt to deform when temperature changes are controlled.
Finally, there is no need for manufacturing equipment to be built or designed to resist high temperatures.
・To generate plasma
A lower pressure also means that applied electricity can be lower.
A vacuum also allows plasma to be generated in a wide variety of gases.
Types of vacuums
There are actually several types of vacuums.
・Low vacuum: 100 kPa to 100 Pa
・Medium vacuum: 100 Pa to 0.1 Pa
・High vacuum: 0.1 Pa to 10-⁵ Pa
・Ultra-high vacuum: 10-⁵Pa or less
・Low vacuum: 100 kPa to 100 Pa
・Medium vacuum: 100 Pa to 0.1 Pa
・High vacuum: 0.1 Pa to 10-⁵ Pa
・Ultra-high vacuum: 10-⁵Pa or less
NBK has a range of products ideal for use in vacuum environments
Vacuum Application Screws
Screws and washers that support the evacuation of gas trapped in the bottom of screw holes or drilled holes are available.The ventilation holes on NBK screws for vacuum equipment are made using a method that has little effect on metal structure.
They can suppress brittle fractures during use and the generation of outgas in vacuum environments.
<Extensive lineup> Click here for our full lineup of screws for vacuum equipment
・Low Outgas
Special chemical polishing is used to improve surface roughness. Outgas quantity is extremely low.
Material | SUSXM7 (SUS304相当) |
Titanium | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part Name | Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole | Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole - Titanium | Hex Socket Head Cap Screw with Special Low Profile (Titanium, with Ventilation Hole) |
Phillips Cross Recessed Flat Head Titanium Machine Screws (with Ventilation Hole) |
Phillips Cross Recessed Pan Head Titanium Machine Screws (with Ventilation Hole) |
Titanium Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Captive Washers |
Titanium Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Captive Washers |
Part Number | SVSS-PC | SVST | SVSHT | SVFT | SVPT | SNSI1T |
SNSI3T |
Click here for the lineup |
・Various materials
A wide lineup of materials is available, including highly corrosion resistant Inconel (equivalent) and Hastelloy (equivalent), and non-magnetic titanium.
Material | SUS304・SUSXM7 (Equivalent to SUS304) |
SUS316L | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part Name | Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole | Hexagon Head Bolts (with Ventilation Hole) |
Hex Socket Set Screws (with Ventilation Hole) |
Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole - SUS316L | Washer Integrated Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole - High Strength Stainless Steel |
Hex Socket Head Cap Screw with Special Low Profile (SUS316L,with Ventilation Hole) |
Part Number | SVSS | SVHS | SVTS | SVSL | SVSQLG | SVSHL |
Click here for the lineup | Click here for the lineup |
Material | Inconel equiv. | Pure molybdenum | Hastelloy equiv. | Aluminum | Titanium | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part Name | Hex Socket Head Cap Screws (Inconel equiv.) with Ventilation Hole | Molybdenum Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole | Hex Socket Head Cap Screws (Hastelloy C-22 equiv.) with Ventilation Hole | Hex Socket Head Cap Screws (Hastelloy C-276 equiv.) with Ventilation Hole | Aluminum Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole | Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole - Titanium |
Part Number | SVSI | SVSM | SVSH-C22 | SVSH-C276 | SVSA | SVST |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
・Various shapes
A wide lineup of shapes is available, such as low profile cap screws, washer-integrated products, and clamping screws.
Shape example | Screws with Low Profile | Screws with Special Low Profile | Hexagon posts | Clamping Set Screws | With Washer | Washers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part Name | Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole with Low Profile | Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole with Special Low Profile | Hex Posts with Ventilation Hole | Clamping Set Screws with Ventilation Hole | Washer Integrated Hex Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole - High Strength Stainless Steel | Washers with Ventilation Grooves |
Part Number | SVLS | SVSHS | SHVAS | SCSS-VR | SVSQLG | SWAS-VF |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for the lineup |
・Seizing prevention
Our products are ideal for preventing seizing.
Material | SUS316L | SUSXM7(Equivalent to SUS304) | SUSXM7(Equivalent to SUS304) |
---|---|---|---|
Part Name | Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole ( with Ventilation Hole / Surface Hardening Treatment) |
Socket Head Cap Screws with Ventilation Hole - MoS2 Shot | Socket Head Cap Screw with Ventilation Hole / Silver Plating |
Part Number | SVSL-PN | SVSS-MOS | SVSS-AG |
Click here for the lineup |
Click here for our full lineup of screws for vacuum equipment
Low outgas products
In addition to screws for vacuum equipment, we also have a range of low outgas screws and couplings.・Screws
Part Number | SPD-C | SPDC-H | SPE-C |
---|---|---|---|
Material | VESPEL® SP-1 | VESPEL® SCP-5000 | PEEK |
Click here for the lineup |
・Coupling
Couplings that can be used in special environments such as clean room, vacuum, high temperature (80 ° C or higher) are available.
Type | Slit Coupling | Oldham Coupling | Disk Coupling | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shape | |||||||
Part Number | XSTS | XWSS | MSXP | MOHS | MOP | XBWS* | XBSS* |
Material | SUS316L | SUS316L | PEEK | SUS303 Vespel** SUSXM7 |
A2017 PEEK SUSXM7 |
SUS303 SUSXM7 |
SUS303 SUSXM7 |
Cleaning method | Ultrasonic cleaning | Ultrasonic cleaning | Ultrasonic cleaning | Ultrasonic cleaning | Ultrasonic cleaning | Ultrasonic cleaning* | Ultrasonic cleaning* |
Low particle | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | △ | △ | ○ | ○ |
Vacuum-supported | ○ | ○ | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ | ○ |
Less outgas | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
Heat resistant | ○ | ○ | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ | ○ |
Chemical resistant | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
Zero Backlash | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ||
High torque | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |||
High torsional rigidity | ◎ | ◎ | |||||
Allowable Misalignment | ○ | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ | ○ |
◎:Excellent ○:Very good △:Abrasion powder may be produced
*XBWS XBSS are uncleaned products. Clean washing and clean packaging are available upon request.
**VESPEL is a registered trademark of U.S. company DuPont.
Cleanroom "Cleanroom Wash / Cleanroom Packing Service"
Cleanroom washing and cleanroom packing can be performed so that items can be used directly in a vacuum chamber or a cleanroom.Problem Solution Examples by Semiconductor Manufacturing Process
Problem solution examples are introduced by semiconductor manufacturing process.Pre-process here
Post-processhere
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