MIL-SPEC Hermetic Connectors

Hermetic Seal Connectors for Reliable Electrical Interconnects

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Understanding Hermetic Seal Connectors

Hermetic seal connectors are engineered to provide dependable electrical connections while maintaining an air-tight and gas-tight seal across pressure boundaries. Their primary function is to prevent gases, moisture, and contaminants from entering sealed systems where environmental exposure could otherwise lead to corrosion, signal degradation, or mechanical failure. In hermetic systems, these connectors serve as a critical interface between internal electronics and external environments, ensuring long-term performance and protection.

Hermetic Sealing Across Pressure Boundaries

In hermetic interconnect applications, hermetic seal connectors prevent gas transmission through connector interfaces, even when penetrating pressurized bulkheads or sealed equipment housings. This capability is essential in systems exposed to pressure differentials, vibration, and temperature variation. Proper hermetic sealing preserves stable internal conditions and protects sensitive electronics from external contamination, making these connectors indispensable in high-reliability environments.

Design Options and Sealing Technologies

Complete Hermetics designs and manufactures hermetic seal connectors using advanced glass-to-metal and ceramic-to-metal sealing technologies. These connectors are available in both circular and rectangular configurations, with customizable contact counts, pin sizes, shell styles, and mounting options. Materials such as stainless steel, Kovar, titanium, and aluminum are carefully selected to meet mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and environmental performance requirements.

Electrical Performance and Long-Term Reliability

In addition to acting as pressure barriers, hermetic seal connectors must maintain consistent electrical performance over extended service lifetimes. Stable contact resistance, insulation integrity, and precise mechanical alignment are essential to avoid intermittent faults or signal loss. Hermetic sealing minimizes oxidation and moisture ingress, reducing maintenance needs and significantly extending connector service life in demanding applications.

Industries and Applications

Hermetic seal connectors are widely used in aerospace systems, medical devices, offshore drilling equipment, industrial automation, energy infrastructure, and defense applications, where exposure to harsh environments is unavoidable and failure is not an option.

Why Choose Complete Hermetics

Complete Hermetics designs and manufactures hermetic seal connectors, hermetically sealed connectors, hermetic feedthroughs, and hermetic headers for demanding applications. In addition to connector solutions, the company offers vacuum feedthroughs, battery end seals, TO headers, and custom hermetic assemblies tailored to specific requirements. With deep engineering expertise and flexible manufacturing, Complete Hermetics delivers interconnect solutions built for reliability in extreme environments.

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MIL-SPEC Hermetic Connectors

Everything You Need to Know About Hermetic Connectors: Top 20 Frequently Asked Questions

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Hermetic Connectors: Top 20 Frequently Asked Questions

Hermetic connectors are vital components in high-performance applications where airtight, moisture-resistant, and pressure-proof connections are critical. Whether you’re in aerospace, defense, medical, or industrial manufacturing, understanding these connectors can help you make better design decisions.

Here are the most frequently asked questions about hermetic connectors—answered clearly and concisely.

1. What is a hermetic connector?

A hermetic connector is an electrical connector that features a hermetically sealed interface to prevent the ingress of gases, liquids, and contaminants.

2. How do hermetic connectors work?

They work by using airtight materials—often glass-to-metal or ceramic-to-metal seals—that prevent any leakage across the barrier, maintaining the integrity of the system.

3. What is the difference between hermetic and non-hermetic connectors?

Non-hermetic connectors do not offer gas or moisture sealing, making hermetic connectors the go-to choice for critical, sealed environments.

4. What materials are used in hermetic connectors?

Typical materials include stainless steel, Inconel®, Kovar®, ceramics, and borosilicate glass for their thermal and chemical stability.

5. Are hermetic connectors waterproof or airtight?

Yes, they are designed to be both airtight and moisture-proof, ideal for high-pressure and vacuum environments.

6. What are hermetic connectors used for?

They are commonly used in aerospace, military, medical devices, oil & gas, vacuum chambers, and space technology.

7. Where are hermetic connectors commonly installed?

Applications include sensors, battery systems, vacuum systems, implantable devices, and satellite components.

8. How do you test a hermetic seal on a connector?

Common tests include helium leak detection and pressure testing to ensure airtight performance.

9. What are the temperature and pressure ratings for hermetic connectors?

Many hermetic connectors operate from -65°C to +200°C and withstand high pressures, depending on the design and materials used.

10. Can hermetic connectors be used in high-vacuum environments?

Yes, they are ideal for vacuum chambers, particle accelerators, and space applications due to their gas-tight sealing.

11. What industries use hermetic connectors?

Industries include:

  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Medical & Biomedical
  • Energy (Nuclear & Oil)
  • Industrial Automation
  • Telecommunications

12. Can I get custom hermetic connectors for my application?

Yes, many manufacturers such as Complete Hermetics offer custom hermetic connector solutions tailored to your voltage, current, pressure, and mounting needs.

13. What certifications are required for hermetic connectors in aerospace or medical devices?

MIL-SPEC (e.g., MIL-DTL-38999), ISO 9001, and other industry-specific certifications are often required for regulated environments.

14. What are MIL-SPEC hermetic connectors?

These are hermetic connectors designed and tested to meet U.S. military standards for reliability and performance.

15. Are there hermetic connectors for fiber optics or coaxial cables?

Yes, hermetic feedthroughs are available for fiber optics, RF, and coaxial connections.

16. What is a glass-to-metal hermetic seal?

A glass-to-metal seal uses glass fused to metal at high temperatures to create an airtight, corrosion-resistant seal.

17. What is a ceramic-to-metal seal in hermetic connectors?

Ceramic-to-metal seals are used when higher dielectric strength or temperature resistance is needed.

18. How do I choose the right hermetic connector for my project?

Consider:

  • Electrical specs
  • Environment (temperature, pressure)
  • Mounting configuration
  • Sealing method
  • Material compatibility

19. Can hermetic connectors be reused?

Some are reusable if undamaged, but many applications—especially in aerospace or medical—require new connectors for each use.

20. What are TO headers and how are they related to hermetic connectors?

TO (Transistor Outline) headers are hermetically sealed components used in packaging semiconductors and sensors—often integrated with hermetic connectors.

✅ Need Hermetic Connector Solutions You Can Trust?

Contact Complete Hermetics today to learn more about our custom hermetically-sealed connectors, circular hermetic connectors, rectangular hermetic connectors, and MIL-Spec hermetic connectors. We offer a wide range of standardized sizes and can tailor our designs to meet your most demanding requirements.

Circle Hermetic Connector

What Can a Hermetically Sealed Connector Handle?

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A hermetically sealed connector is designed to deal with extreme conditions. That is the reason it is often used for military or industrial purposes. Astronauts and scuba divers may rely on these connectors to provide the best possible connection in the most unlikely places. Lives may literally depend on the strength of a seal, so that is why it is essential to choose the right connector.

Types of Hermetic Connectors

The kind of hermetically sealed connector you choose most likely depends on how secure you need the connection to be and whether you want a custom connector. A popular kind is a glass to metal connector that is made out of molten glass and is combined with metals. Ceramic to metal types are also available, and they require more time to produce, but can be custom-designed. Whatever material you select, the connector should provide the strong connection you need for any job.

Under What Conditions Can Hermetic Connectors Hold Up?

A hermetically sealed connector can hold up to extreme temperatures and below zero conditions. They should be able to withstand conditions in a spaceship and zero gravity or areas of high pressure. The connectors can also work in a vacuum and at the bottom of the sea. Simply put, hermetic connectors can handle just about anything.

Hermetic Connectors Individuals

Hermetic Sealed Connectors: Customization Considerations

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Hermetic sealed connectors are important in regards to system integrity maintenance. These connectors may be used in aerospace operations or military. They may be used in gas-tight barriers and may have to withstand extreme pressures. It’s important that you can optimize your connectors to match your requirements.

Environmental Factors 

To customize hermetics, you must consider harsh or hostile environments. Will your hermetic connectors be exposed to vibration, shock or thermal changes? You have to factor the environment and conditions into the design. You may also need to choose between different plating requirements. You can choose from tin, nickel and both hard and soft golds. 

Testing Required

In the planning stages of the design, testing requirements are considered. These aspects are discussed at length and most qualification tests can be performed during assembly. The types of testing that hermetic sealed connectors may have to undergo include:

  • Pressure testing
  • Leak testing
  • Geometrical testing
  • Electrical testing
  • Insulation resistance
  • Voltage

In addition to testing, quality seals are inspected thoroughly.

To design hermetic connectors, there are ranges of materials that may be used in the process. From glass to metal seals and advanced sealing techniques, there are options for a variety of connectors. When receiving custom connectors, it is crucial that you address all of your different requirements.