HIC Series | Robust Glass to Metal Hermetic Connector

A glass to metal hermetic connector must do more than simply pass power or signal through an enclosure. In compressors, pressure vessels, instrumentation, fuel cell systems, and other sealed industrial equipment, the connector also needs to help maintain boundary integrity under vacuum, pressure, temperature change, and harsh environmental exposure. The HIC Series from Amphenol Industrial Operations is designed for these demanding conditions, combining glass-to-metal sealing technology with rugged metal shell constructions and multiple established circular connector platforms.

Built for Sealed Industrial Interfaces in Harsh Environments

Where critical electronics must operate across a sealed boundary, a glass to metal hermetic connector provides a more robust alternative to conventional non-hermetic interconnect approaches. The HIC Series is engineered to support leak-tight performance in applications exposed to high vacuum, high pressure, vibration, and thermal cycling. By fusing glass insulators directly to precision metal shells, these connectors create a rigid hermetic interface capable of carrying power, signal, or high-speed data while helping protect the integrity of the enclosure.

HIC Series solutions are available across familiar industrial and MIL-style formats, including MIL-DTL-38999, MIL-DTL-26482, MIL-DTL-5015, and M12-based configurations. That flexibility helps engineers integrate a glass to metal hermetic connector into existing system architectures without starting from scratch on bulkhead layouts, harnessing strategies, or mating connector standards.

Why Engineers Specify a Glass to Metal Hermetic Connector

In sealed systems, connector performance can directly affect safety, reliability, and service life. A glass to metal hermetic connector is often selected when very low leak rates, strong structural stability, and resistance to harsh operating environments are required. The HIC Series is designed to help meet those needs with a leak-tight glass-to-metal seal, rugged shell materials, and multiple contact options that support industrial power, signal, and high-speed data requirements.

• Glass-to-metal sealing technology for robust hermetic performance
• Very low leak rate for high vacuum and high-pressure applications
• IP67 sealing when properly mated and assembled
• High-pressure capability for demanding industrial environments
• Multiple shell material and plating options
• Support for power, signal, and Quadrax contact arrangements
• Availability in established MIL-style and M12 connector platforms

Ideal Applications for the HIC Series

The HIC Series is well suited for industrial programs where electrical circuits must pass through a sealed wall, panel, vessel, or enclosure without compromising internal conditions. This makes the product family relevant across a wide range of markets and use cases where a glass to metal hermetic connector helps maintain long-term system integrity.

• Pressure vessels and process control equipment
• Sensors and instrumentation systems
• Air compressors and pneumatic equipment
• Heavy equipment and transportation systems
• Environmental test chambers and measurement systems
• Medical and life science equipment
• Smart gas meters and utility metering systems
• Fuel cell and other sealed electrified systems

For broader harsh-environment circular interconnect needs beyond sealed interfaces, you can also explore the LPT Series. If your application is more focused on automation architectures and industrial device connectivity, visit our Factory Automation market page.

Technical Performance Overview

The HIC Series is built to support demanding boundary conditions in industrial equipment. Depending on configuration, this glass to metal hermetic connector platform supports leak rates below 1.0×10^-7 cc of He/sec at 1 bar, pressure capability up to 15,000 PSI, and operating temperatures from -55°C to +125°C, with stainless steel shell versions supporting temperatures up to 220°C. Available electrical ranges shown on the current product page include 600V to 1250V, current ratings from 7.5A to 46A, and contact counts from 2 to 61.

Shell options include stainless steel and carbon steel constructions, while contact systems support multiple layouts for power, signal, and Quadrax applications. This allows engineers to specify a glass to metal hermetic connector that fits both the electrical demands and the mechanical constraints of the target design.

Available Standards and Configuration Flexibility

One of the key strengths of the HIC Series is its ability to bring hermetic sealing performance into connector formats engineers already know. The current platform offering includes MIL-DTL-38999 Series III, MIL-DTL-26482 Series I and II, MIL-DTL-5015, and M12 styles. That gives design teams more flexibility when integrating a glass to metal hermetic connector into existing industrial programs, especially when maintaining compatibility with common shell styles, keying approaches, and harness design practices is important.

Because HIC Series solutions can be tailored with different shell geometries, contact layouts, and material selections, they provide a strong starting point for both catalog-driven and more application-specific hermetic interconnect requirements.

Design Considerations for Hermetic Connector Selection

When evaluating a glass to metal hermetic connector, engineers should consider the complete operating environment at the sealed interface. Key factors include pressure differential, acceptable leak rate, temperature range, exposure media, vibration, and long-term mechanical loading. In many industrial systems, the connector is not just an electrical component. It is part of the enclosure strategy itself, which is why hermetic connector selection should be aligned closely with both the electrical design and the mechanical boundary conditions.

Compared with elastomer-based sealing methods, a glass to metal hermetic connector can offer much lower helium leak rates, improved long-term stability, and stronger resistance to thermal and environmental stress when properly specified. For additional background on hermetic sealing principles, engineers can review this external hermetic seal overview.

Request Support for Your Hermetic Connector Application

If you are specifying a glass to metal hermetic connector for a high-pressure, vacuum, or sealed industrial application, the HIC Series offers a flexible platform for power, signal, and data connectivity. Use the Request Quote or Request Sample options on the product page to connect with the Amphenol Industrial Operations team for configuration guidance and application support.