Many devices in semiconductor manufacturing processes are temperature sensitive. For example, high-precision machines such as furnaces and CVDs need effective cooling circulation systems to maintain controlled temperatures. These circulation systems keep the entire facility running reliably for long periods by pumping a refrigerant. Quick-connects are typically used with cooling pipelines to enable quick coupling and uncoupling during maintenance. However, any potential dripping or seepage may cause machine downtime and disrupt the production schedule of an entire batch of wafers. Thus, selecting the right quick-connects is crucial for the stable operation of semiconductor cooling systems.
How to Choose the Right Quick-Connects?
There are five important features to consider when selecting the right quick-connect for your cooling systems:
1. Optimal flow rate with low pressure drop. One of the most crucial factors is maintaining optimum flow in the cooling system. System components with the lowest possible pressure drop reduce pump energy consumption, contributing to cost savings.
2. Extremely low spillage and air inclusion. It’s highly recommended to always choose quick-connects with the lowest spillage and air inclusion for clean coupling and uncoupling. Quick-connects with extremely low spillage prevent media spillage from causing damage or malfunction to adjacent equipment and mitigate the risk of unplanned downtime.
3. Compact design. Limited space in semiconductor cooling systems requires quick-connects to be compact in design and small in size.
4. Long term reliability. It’s a challenge to maintain the reliability of quick-connects left unused for long periods of time. Therefore, when selecting quick-connects, it’s crucial to work with a supplier that has extensive experience in quick connect solutions.
5. Compatible materials. Both the quick-connect body and sealing material must be compatible with the refrigerant to ensure long service life and leak-free operation.
FITOK Provides a Wide Range of Quick-Connects
As a professional supplier of fluid systems for the semiconductor industry, FITOK provides a wide variety of quick-connects. FITOK ensures the sealing and reliability of quick-connects through advanced design and manufacturing processes, as well as strict quality control. Suitable for a wide range of cooling systems and compatible with a variety of cooling media, FITOK quick-connects are widely used in semiconductor, automotive manufacturing, energy storage power plants, information technology, and other fields.
Flat Face Quick-Connects QP Series
QP series quick-connects are a star product among FITOK cooling system solutions. Compatible with most fluids such as water glycol, heat transfer oil, cooling water, etc., these quick-connects are widely used in cooling systems in electronics, photovoltaic, information technology, and other industries.
Features
- Small size, compact design, and high flow rate to allow for rapid flow of refrigerant
- A variety of O-ring sealing materials optional to offer extensive working temperature coverage and compatibility with most fluids
- FITOK tailor-made O-ring material to present high compatibility with a high concentration of ethylene glycol
- Flat head design to reduce air inclusion or spillage during coupling or uncoupling
Technical Parameters
| Body Material | Stainless Steel or Aluminum Alloy | |
| Max. Working Pressure | 290 psig (20 bar) | |
| Working Temperature | FKM | -4°F to 392°F (-20°C to 200°C) |
| FFKM | -4°F to 527°F (-20°C to 275°C) | |
| NBR | -22°F to 212°F (-30°C to 100°C) | |
| EPDM | -40°F to 300°F (-40°C to 148°C) | |
| FVMQ | -40°F to 347°F (-40°C to 175°C) | |
| Flow Coefficient (Cv)① | QP8 | 0.9 |
| QP10 | 4.1 | |
| QP12 | 5.4 | |
① The above Cv values are for stem-to-body flow and may decline depending on specifications of fittings configured.
Spillage and Air Inclusion
| Series | Spillage cm3 | Air Inclusion cm3 |
| QP8 | ≤ 0.01 | ≤ 0.01 |
| QP10 | ≤ 0.01 | ≤ 0.02 |
| QP12 | ≤ 0.02 | ≤ 0.04 |
PTFE-Sealed Quick-Connects QTM Series
Compared with QP series quick-connects, the QTM series has a wider medium compatibility, making it a solution for ethylene glycol cooling systems.
Features
- Wetted components in stainless steel and PTFE
- PTFE seal ring
- Extensive medium compatibility and applicable to ethylene glycol
- Special design to reduce air inclusion and spillage
- Single-end shutoff and double-end shutoff optional
Technical Parameters
| Body Materials | 316 SS or Alloy 400 |
| Max. Working Pressure | 4500 psig (310 bar) |
| Working Temperature | 0°F to 212°F (-17°C to 100°C) |
Spillage and Air Inclusion
| Series | Spillage cm3 | Air Inclusion cm3 |
| QTM2 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| QTM4 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| QTM8 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
DESO only
In addition to the QP and QTM series star products, FITOK also provides QC, QF, QM, and QV series quick-connects for regular cooling pipelines, quick coupling and uncoupling, and other applications.
General Service Quick-Connects QC Series
- Working pressure up to 3000 psig (207 bar)
- Single-end shutoff, double-end shutoff and full-flow models available
- Locking mechanism with large contact area to ensure reliable stem retainment
- Reliable, leak-tight O-ring seal for vacuum or pressure systems
- Commonly used for sampling systems, laboratory instruments, instrument calibration, portable test equipment
Miniature Quick-Connects QM Series
- Working pressure up to 4000 psig (276 bar)
- Small stem and small internal volume
- Low dead volume to reduce spillage and air inclusion
- Single-end shutoff, double-end shutoff and full-flow models available
- Suitable for small-sized fittings
Full-Flow Quick-Connects QF Series
- Working pressure up to 6000 psig (414 bar)
- Full flow
- O-ring replacement without body disassembly
- Suitable for transmission pipelines and discharge pipelines
Double-End Shutoff, High Flow Quick-Connects QV Series
- Working pressure up to 2000 psig (137 bar)
- Large flow area to ensure high flow capacity
- Rugged and reliable fittings with tough stems and durable locking mechanisms
- Commonly used for hydraulic systems
Please see the Quick-Connects Catalog for more information. Should you have any questions, please contact us directly and We will reach you soon.
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