Vacuum-Compatible Screws

Vented Cap Screws, Vented Setscrews, and Thumbscrews for Vacuum Use
Constructed of 316 Stainless Steel, A4 Stainless Steel, or 2024-T3 Aluminum
All Screws are Shipped Double Vacuum-Bagged

SS25S075V

1/4"-20 Vented Setscrews

SH6MS20V

M6 x 1.0 Vented Cap Screws

TS25HV

Vacuum-Compatible
Thumbscrews

SH8S050V

8-32 Vented Setscrews

SH4MS12V

M4 x 0.7 Vented Cap Screws

Vented screws provide a path for gases to escape blind tapped holes.

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Overview
Vacuum Specs
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Additional Vacuum-Compatible Components

Many of our other Optomechanical Components can be special ordered for vacuum use. Contact Tech Support for details.

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Vented screws allow trapped gases to escape while under vacuum.

Features

Vented 8-32, M4 x 0.7, 1/4"-20, or M6 x 1.0 Cap Screws and Setscrews
Vacuum-Compatible Thumbscrews
All Components Usable with 10^-6 Torr Environments Directly Out of the Packaging
Compatible with Lower Pressures with Additional User Processing
All Components are Shipped Double Vacuum Bagged for Cleanroom Use

This page features vacuum-compatible versions of our most popular screws. These screws are fabricated from specially selected grades of stainless steel and aluminum for vacuum and cleanroom use. All components are packaged in double airtight bags for cleanroom and vacuum chamber applications. The cross section of a vented screw to the right illustrates the benefits of vented screws when used within a vacuum chamber. We also offer standard cap screws and setscrews in a variety of sizes.

Vacuum Compatibility Information
Our vacuum-compatible screws are chemically cleaned and prepared for vacuum applications before packaging. They are compatible directly out of the packaging with vacuum environments down to 10^-6 Torr. With additional cleaning and processing, they can be used at even lower pressures, only limited by the outgassing rate of the aluminum or stainless steel (see the Vacuum Specs tab above or the tables below). The material properties of the aluminum or stainless steel and the cleaning methods completed by the end user should be used to determine the appropriateness of these products and materials in a specific vacuum system.

We also offer other optomechanical components which may be used in vacuum applications. Many of our Polaris™ Mirror Mounts are vacuum compatible. We also offer Unanodized Aluminum or Passivated Stainless Steel Breadboards, which may be used in vacuum applications after undergoing cleaning and processing by the end user.

Vacuum Compatibility Specs

Item	Vented Cap Screws & Washers	Thumbscrews
Vacuum Compatibility as Packaged^a	>10^-6 Torr
Materials	316 Stainless Steel (Imperial) A4 Stainless Steel (Metric)	2024-T3 Aluminum
Preparation and Packaging	Chemically Cleaned and Double Vacuum Bagged
Aluminum / Stainless Steel Outgassing Rate at 20 °C	1.8 x 10^-8 Torr-Liters/s/cm²	7.6 x 10^-9 Torr-Liters/s/cm²

This is the pressure at which these components can be used with no additional processing. They can be used at even lower pressures with additional cleaning and processing.

Posted Comments:
ojanguren (posted 2018-05-04 07:55:49.787) Dear Sirs, Is it posible to purchase Vented cap screws made of Titanium? Regards, Inigo llamb (posted 2018-05-04 05:42:13.0) Hello Inigo, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We cannot offer titanium vented cap screws unfortunately. Perhaps a different vendor, such as Vacom in Germany, may be able to offer such titanium screws.

Vented, Vacuum-Compatible M6 x 1.0 Cap Screws

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Item #	Thread Length	Hex	Vent Hole	Material	Vacuum Compatibility^a	Outgassing Rate at 20 °C	Quantity
SH6MS10V	10 mm (0.39")	5 mm	Ø0.0625" (Ø1.6 mm)	A4 Stainless Steel	>10^-6 Torr	1.8 x 10^-8 Torr-Liters/s/cm²	5
SH6MS12V	12 mm (0.47")
SH6MS16V	16 mm (0.63")
SH6MS20V	20 mm (0.79")
SH6MS25V	25 mm (0.98")

Pressure at which these components can be used with no additional processing. They can be used at even lower pressures with additional cleaning and processing.

Item #	Outer Diameter	Inner Diameter	Thickness	Material	Vacuum Compatibility^a	Outgassing Rate at 20 °C	Quantity
W25S050V	0.505" ± 0.10"	0.286 ± 0.10" (1/4" and M6 Compatible)	0.064" ± 0.007"	316 Stainless Steel	>10^-6 Torr	1.8 x 10^-8 Torr-Liters/s/cm²	25

Pressure at which these components can be used with no additional processing. They can be used at even lower pressures with additional cleaning and processing.

Vented, Vacuum-Compatible M4 x 0.7 Setscrews

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Item #	Length	Hex	Vent Hole	Material	Vacuum Compatibility^a	Outgassing Rate at 20 °C	Quantity
SS4MS12V	12 mm (0.47")	2 mm	Ø1.2 mm (Ø0.05")	A4 Stainless Steel	>10^-6 Torr	1.8 x 10^-8 Torr-Liters/s/cm²	5

Pressure at which these components can be used with no additional processing. They can be used at even lower pressures with additional cleaning and processing.

Vacuum-Compatible Thumbscrews

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Specifications
Vacuum Compatibility as Packaged^a	>10^-6 Torr
Materials	2024-T3 Aluminum
Preparation and Packaging	Chemically Cleaned and Double Vacuum Bagged
Aluminum Outgassing Rate at 20 °C	7.6 x 10^-9 Torr-Liters/s/cm²
Maximum Torque	28 in·lbs (3.2 N·m)

This is the pressure at which these components can be used with no additional processing. They can be used at even lower pressures with additional cleaning and processing.

The TS25HV and TS6HV/M are 1/4"-20 or M6 x 1.0-threaded for compatibility with our imperial or metric Vacuum-Compatible Ø1/2" Post Holders, respectively. Please note that we do not recommend using an L wrench hex key to tighten these thumbscrews, as this may break off the screw head. The recommended maximum torque is 28 in·lbs (3.2 N·m). We also offer standard spring-loaded thumbscrews.

TS25HV Drawing