Terra offers chambers in both materials. Which is right for your application?
Acrylic Chambers
Economy: Lower material cost translates into a less expensive chamber.
Full visibility: You can add windows to an aluminum chamber, but nothing beats the 360-degree visibility offered by acrylic.
Aluminum Chambers
Chemical resistance: Aluminum stands up to Spor-Klenz®, alcohol and other sterilants, making it preferable in many bio/pharmaceutical applications. In addition, because many joining and sealing compounds are designed for use with metals, they may degrade acrylic and result in leaks or chamber failure.
Greater machining versatility: Aluminum allows easier addition of feed-throughs to accommodate power and data cords, electrodes and other accessories. These add-ons are more feasible on aluminum than acrylic chambers, which are more prone to cracks that develop into leaks over time. For such applications, an aluminum chamber is a wiser long-term processing solution.
More effective moisture barrier: Acrylic, because it is hygroscopic, allows moisture penetration on a molecular level. Under vacuum, these water molecules are released from the surface and may require several vacuum cycles to remove. These issues don’t occur with aluminum and other metallic moisture barriers.
Greater dimensional versatility: Due to greater strength, aluminum is more appropriate than acrylic for larger chamber sizes.
A vacuum desiccator incorporates an enclosure, vacuum pump, and desiccant system for achieving low RH values at sustained vacuum down to 29.92" Hg. Vacuum desiccators sustain atmospheric temperature, humidity, and process-gas mixtures during product assembly, testing, anaerobic processes, or reactive material handling.
Terra Universal's nitrogen purge vacuum desiccators remove humid air and backfill the chamber with dry, inert gas to achieve neutral pressure. If needed, this process is repeated until oxygen or moisture concentration reaches the desired level. Gauges and valves preinstalled on vacuum chambers allow for careful application, monitoring, backfilling, and bleeding of vacuum pressure. The cabinet doors allow high-capacity storage, easy batch processing, and quick parts transfer.
Silica-based desiccants and canisters are economical for maintaining a dust-free enclosure with unspecified humidity requirements. Terra Universal and Bel-Art vacuum desiccators also support moisture removal via silica-gel and desiccant canisters. Disposable Desiccant Plates are an economical option for moisture removal and turn pink to indicate maximum moisture absorption. Reusable desiccant canisters provide a low-waste option; the silica-gel desiccant is reusable after oven baking.
In some cases, a vacuum chamber alone may provide adequate humidity removal without requiring nitrogen or desiccants. Ideally, the vacuum chamber is supplied with pre-treated and dehumidified air. A vacuum drying system is most effective when room air is less humid and the chamber does not require frequent access.
Terra’s Vacuum Desiccators and Vacuum Chambers are shipped fully assembled. Buy online, or contact a Terra Universal specialist via chat, email, phone, or quote request.
Unique construction of Polycarbonate and Polypropylene, providing high impact resistance, thermal resistance, and resistance to most acids
316L Stainless Steel
Aseptic, low bio-burden, withstands high temperature and humidity fluctuation; low carbon rating indicates reduced percentage for enhanced corrosion resistance
Acrylic
Economical Acrylic provides excellent clarity and provides high tensile strength it is damaged by frequent contact with alcohol and other common cleaning agents
Ideal for non-frequent/minimal use and long-term storage. Economical, plastic-reinforced doors with PVC foam gasket and basic expansion latches; made of non-shedding materials.
Optional 25-pin connector can be used to monitor conditions within the vacuum chamber.
Coaxial SMA Feedthrough
Double-ended, 50-ohm connectors allow small electronics to operate within the chamber.
Optional Vacuum Relief Valve
Adjustable pressure relief valve limits vacuum levels within the chamber, allowing pressure to be maintained at user-configured point. (NOTE: Vacuum pump must remain in operation to maintain desired vacuum level).
Tested to Hold Full Vacuum for 72 hours
Terra's acrylic vacuum chambers are tested to hold 29.9"Hg (99.9% vacuum) with no detectable change over a 72 hour duration. Heavy-duty one-inch-thick walls ensure chamber integrity and protect against cracking.
Precision Vacuum Gauge and Needle Valves
Vacuum chambers can be customized to include precision needle valves for exact application, monitoring, backfill, and bleeding of vacuum pressure in increments of ~1" Hg (~3% vacuum). The hardware is mounted over an extra layer of acrylic to prevent damage to the lid while the chamber is under maximum vacuum.
Inlaid O-Ring
Precision-routed channel ensures uniform seal along chamber perimeter to provide an ultra-low leak rate.
Optional Glass Top for Sensitive Optics
0.75"-thick tempered-glass top allows optical testing and monitoring that requires high clarity.
Bel-Art Space Saver Vacuum Desiccator
Bel-Art Vacuum desiccators degas liquids quickly and easily in the laboratory or classroom. These shatterproof units also provide dry storage and protection for moisture-sensitive products.
Vacuum Desiccators
Vacuum Chamber on Electric Height Adjusting Table
Terra Universal Vacuum Chamber Overview
Acrylic Vacuum Desiccator Cabinet for Cold Room Storage
Welch Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump
PC-Based Vacuum Control with Data Logging
Electric height adjusting tables help position extremely heavy vacuum chambers to the right height to transfer materials, or observe tests within the chamber | 3504-02A displayedVacuum Chamber on Electric Height Adjusting TableElectric height adjusting tables help easily position extremely heavy vacuum chambers to the right height to allow transfer of materials, or observe tests within the chamber.
Terra Universal Vacuum Chamber OverviewThis video shows how to operate a vacuum chamber and explores available vacuum chambers and accessories Terra Universal offers
Acrylic vacuum desiccator cabinet for cold room storage; 17”W x 17”D x 13.5”H; vacuum chambers are interconnected | 5235-83 displayedAcrylic Vacuum Desiccator Cabinet for Cold Room StorageThese acrylic vacuum desiccator cabinets are used to remove ambient moisture and air to prevent degradation of sensitive materials in cold storage. The front-swing doors help quickly and easily load and unload the chambers. The chambers are also interconnected to one vacuum valve for faster batch processing.
The Rotary Vane vacuum pump withstands water vapor in the vacuum pump's inlet vapor stream | 7906-01A displayedWelch Rotary Vane Vacuum PumpThis Rotary Vane vacuum pump offers high water vapor tolerance, light weight and high vacuum performance, making it ideal for many laboratory uses.
eVac connection kit includes solenoid vacuum valve, hosing, clamps, adapters and hardware connection; laptop and chamber not included | 5235-45 displayedPC-Based Vacuum Control with Data LoggingThe eVAC Digital Vacuum Controller provides highly flexible control over vacuum levels by incorporating an electronically activated bleed valve, which adds the capability to reduce the applied vacuum.
Terra's nitrogen-purged desiccator cabinets meet dry storage requirements as low as 1% relative humidity. Standardization simplifies component upgrade, retrofit and replacement. Terra's Smart controllers allow setpoint control and even multiplexed purging for the most critical humidity requirements.
video
Desiccators: Features and Design overview
Terra's nitrogen-purged desiccator cabinets meet dry storage requirements as low as 1% relative humidity. Standardization simplifies component upgrade, retrofit and replacement. Terra's Smart controllers allow setpoint control and even multiplexed purging for the most critical humidity requirements.