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High Purity Valve Selection Guides

Application-Focused Guidance for Choosing the Right Valve

Semiconductor gas delivery systems demand absolute reliability, purity, and safety. Different valves are designed to solve different operational challenges — from isolating process gases to ensuring leak-tight vacuum performance.

This guide provides a clear, application-driven overview to help engineers, buyers, and facility managers quickly identify the most suitable valve type for each part of the gas system.

On/Off Valves

1. Diaphragm Valves

Best for: Ultra-High Purity (UHP) gases and critical process isolation

(Gas Cabinets, VMB/VMP, Gas Panels, MFC Upstream/Downstream)

Diaphragm valves use a Cobalt alloy diaphragm to achieve extremely clean, leak-free sealing. They are the industry standard for process gases in semiconductor manufacturing.

Why Choose Diaphragm Valves

  • Zero dead volume – prevents particle traps
  • Superior internal cleanliness 
  • Ultra-low leak rates (≤1×10⁻⁹ std·cm³/s He)
  • Long cycle life
  • Compatible with corrosive gases (HCl, Cl₂, BCl₃)

Ideal Applications

  • All UHP process gases
  • Gas cabinets
  • Valve manifold boxes (VMB)
  • MFC control sections
  • Tool hook-up lines
Diaphragm Valve

2. Bellows-Sealed Valves

Best for: Secondary containment system, high temperature, prevents leaks to atmosphere

Bellows-sealed valves use a stainless steel bellows to used to restrict flow to precise levels as a handle is spun, pressing an actuator onto the bellows.

Why Choose Bellows-Sealed Valves

  • 100% metal-sealed
  • Resistant to thermal cycling
  • High reliability, long service life
  • Pressure Range from 500 psig to 3500 psig

Ideal Applications

  • N₂, CDA, Ar, He supply lines
  • Corrosive gases and Specialty gases
  • Gas Panels / VMB / VMP
  • Tool-side Gas Boxes
Bellow-sealed Valves

3. High Purity Ball Valves

Best for: High flow, utility gases, and fast shut-off

(N₂, CDA, inert gases, purge and vent systems)

Ball valves provide large flow capacity (high Cv) and simple quarter-turn actuation. They are highly effective in utility and non-critical flow lines.

Why Choose Ball Valves

  • Fast ON/OFF with 1/4-turn operation
  • Very high flow performance
  • Durable and cost-effective
  • Ideal for purge and supply utilities

Ideal Applications

  • Nitrogen or CDA utility lines
  • Purge lines in gas distribution
  • Venting / relief paths
  • Non-critical isolation
High Purity Ball Valve

Directional flow

1. Check Valves

Best for: Backflow prevention and system protection

(MFC protection, VMB safety, cylinder refill lines)

Check valves ensure that gases only flow in one direction, preventing contamination, equipment damage, or unsafe reverse flow conditions.

Why Choose Check Valves

  • Prevent costly contamination failures
  • Protect MFCs, regulators, and analyzers
  • Designed with low cracking pressures for high sensitivity
  • Available in welded, surface-mount, and high-flow configurations

Ideal Applications

  • Downstream of MFCs
  • VMB/VMP isolation and safety
  • Gas cabinet supply lines
  • Pump exhaust protection (CF series)
  • Bulk gas distribution (CB series)
Check Valve

Flow control

1. Bellows-Sealed Metering Valves

Best for: Precision manual flow control in clean applications

(Purge control, leak testing, R&D tools)

These valves are tailored for manual fine-tuning of low flow rates. They are not intended for shut-off in process gas lines but are excellent in controlled micro-flow applications.

Why Choose Metering Valves

  • Vernier micrometer handle enables extremely precise control
  • Bellows design maintains purity and temperature stability
  • Tight repeatability for tuning purge flows
  • Available with metering or regulating stem tips

Ideal Applications

  • N₂ purge tuning
  • Helium tracer / leak-test flow adjustment
  • Non-critical areas requiring manual precision
Bellows-Sealed Metering Valve

Application-Based Recommendations

  • If the line carries UHP process gases and ON/OFF → Choose Diaphragm Valves.
  • If you need leak-tight isolation for high-purity or corrosive gases at moderate-to-high pressures and ON/OFF → Choose Bellows-Sealed Valves.
  • If fast ON/OFF or large flow is required → Choose Ball Valves.
  • If reverse flow must be prevented → Choose Check Valves.
  • If flow control is needed → Choose Metering Valves.