Feedstock xSi Advantages Considerations Origin European produced phosphorus oxychloride with proven track record ensuring consistent in-coming quality. Less expensive phosphorus oxychloride with lower assay and higher metal impurities may exceed purification capabilities. Requiring rework and missed shipments. Vendors Mutable qualified phosphorus oxychloride feedstock vendors to ensure supply is never interrupted. Sole sourced feedstock can potentially results in shortages due to interrupted supply. Inventory Feedstock is purchased in large quantities to allow bulk pricing which is passed on to the customer and further reduces any supply issues. Limited quantities puts customer deliveries at risk with higher cost.

Bubblers xSi AdvantagesConsiderations Material of construction Only high purity semiconductor grade quartz is sourced. Utilizing lower grade material jeopardizes purity due to quartz impurities migration to product. Design Original patented design with 35 plus years of refinement. Resulting in the most comprehensive design for both process and safety. Reverse engineering has produced "copies" that look the same but lack details required for safety integrity. Fabrication Fabrication performed by United States craftsmen with decades of bubbler fabrication experience producing thousands of units. Lack of experience and poor craftsmanship results in out of tolerance dimensions coupled with low integrity sealing. Testing 100% pressure test and programmed / recorded annealing process with stress relieved verification. Deficiencies within pressure testing and annealing process will result in a fragile non-robust bubbler (weak valve stems).

Valves xSi AdvantagesConsiderations Material of construction United States produced virgin PTFE guarantees purity with consistent mechanical integrity properties. Less expensive sourced Teflon could result in compromised purity and mechanical properties. Ryton fitting and bonnet nuts Delivers constant pressure on seal surface for quartz and tubing maintaining a leak tight seal. Teflon nuts "cold flow" over time resulting in potential leaks from valve stem and tube connection. Bubbler valve retainer Snap ring style valve retainer locked to bubbler stem groove with Ryton nut retainer seat. Eliminating retainer expansion ensuring no unintentional valve removal during handling or accidental over pressure. Teflon retainer washer design does not seat securely within bubbler stem groove. Design has potential for valve removal during all bubbler handling steps or accidental overpressure. Tube connections Simple and versatile compression style tube connections no extra parts. Ferrule design can hold particles coupled with potential of ferrule not being installed during process tubing connection allowing for leaks.

Packaging xSi AdvantagesConsiderations Design Design criteria focused on bubbler protection and containment with documented 2.49 meter drop test with no breakage. Non drop tested packaging is at high risk for bubbler breakage during handling and transport relying on containment for protection. Certification Meets Department of Transportation and International Maritime Dangerous Goods standards. Non certified packaging puts the general public and employees at risk due bubbler breakage and improper labeling. Four level containment PVC coated bubbler with double plastic bag protection encapsulating bubbler and outer foam with metal can. Each level of containment has a associated time before compromised with less than four levels containment time decreases before external release. Two level PH monitoring personnel protection First level PH indicated upon can lid removal providing visual conformation to proceed with top foam removal. Second level PH indicates proceeding safely with bubbler removal from packaging for handling. Lack of first level PH indication allows technician to proceed unpacking with compromised product containment due to broken bubbler or leaking valves.

Innovation xSi Advantages Considerations Continuous improvement 30 plus years of leading the market place through innovation and customer feedback. Resulting in the safest, purest and most cost competitive pricing in the industry. Lack of historical operational data base with minimal experience meeting customer requirements or concerns. Waste reduction As part of on-going continuous improvement a comprehensive waste reduction program is being implemented to allow "green manufacturing". This program is demonstrating lower overall operational cost while beneficial to the environment. Currently focused on developing an acceptable customer product with limited cost advantage.