Critical Specifications for Choosing the Right Furnace
When choosing a laboratory furnace, it’s essential to consider the following critical specifications:
- Temperature range: Make sure the furnace can reach the temperature range required for your specific application.
- Size and capacity: Consider the size of the furnace with the volume of samples you need to process and the available space in your lab.
- Heating rate: The heating rate determines how quickly the furnace can reach the desired temperature. A faster heating rate may be necessary for specific applications.
- Temperature uniformity: It’s vital to ensure that the temperature within the furnace is uniform, as variations can affect the accuracy and reliability of your results.
- Control system: The furnace should be easy to use and allow precise temperature control and monitoring.
- Safety features: Look for furnaces with safety features such as over-temperature protection and explosion-proof construction, if necessary, for your application.
- Compatibility with other equipment: Consider whether the furnace is compatible with any additional equipment or instruments you may be using in your lab.
- Maintenance and service: Look for a supplier that offers maintenance and repair services and technical support to ensure that your furnace is always in top working condition.
If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch with us, as we are here to ensure you choose the correct furnace for your laboratory.
High Thermal Efficiency and Safety
When working at such high temperatures, there is no substitute for good build quality. Our furnaces use highly thermal efficient materials to protect against wear and tear while providing even heat and low running costs.
No matter how long your test or process is, you can trust our furnaces to complete them efficiently.
What is the Temperature Range of a Laboratory Chamber Furnace?
For most furnaces on the open market, the temperature range is 1000°C – 1800°C. Understanding the heating range you will work on is critical for choosing the correct furnace.
If you were to be working in the 1000°C – 1200°C range, a furnace with a metallic heating wire would suffice, but if you need to reach 1600°C, you would need a furnace with a silicon carbide heating element.
For those wanting to reach 1800°C, you will need a furnace with a molybdenum disilicide heating element.
Furnaces that can reach a higher temperature will cost you more.
What are furnaces used for?
Laboratory furnaces are specialised equipment for various research, development, and industrial applications. They are designed to provide precise temperature control and are used to heat, melt, evaporate, or decompose a wide range of materials. Some common uses for laboratory furnaces include:
- Heat treatment of metals and alloys: Laboratory furnaces heat materials to high temperatures to alter their microstructure and properties. It can strengthen metals, improve their corrosion resistance, or change their electrical or thermal conductivity.
- Ceramics processing: Laboratory furnaces are used to sinter ceramics, which involves heating them to high temperatures to create a solid, homogenous mass. This process creates various products, including structural and refractory ceramics, catalysts, and electronics.
- Ashing: Laboratory furnaces are used to burn organic materials to analyse their composition. This process, known as ashing, involves heating the sample to high temperatures in a controlled environment to oxidise the organic matter, leaving behind inorganic ash that can be analysed for its elemental content.
- Glass melting: Laboratory furnaces form glass into various shapes and sizes. This process involves heating the glass to high temperatures until it becomes malleable, at which point it can be shaped and cooled to form a solid.
- Materials testing: Laboratory furnaces are used to test the properties of materials under various temperature conditions. This can include testing materials’ strength, conductivity, or other characteristics to understand their behaviour under different conditions.
Overall, laboratory furnaces are essential for various applications in science, industry, and research. They provide precise temperature control and a controlled environment for numerous processes, making them valuable equipment in any laboratory setting.
Which industries use laboratory furnaces?
Laboratory furnaces are used in a wide range of industries, including:
- Materials science: Laboratory furnaces are used in materials science research to study the properties of various materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers.
- Chemical and pharmaceutical: Laboratory furnaces are used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to synthesise and purify chemicals and test the stability and purity of drugs.
- Electronics: Furnaces are used in the electronics industry to manufacture and test electronic components, such as semiconductors and microchips.
- Environmental: Laboratory furnaces are used in environmental research to study the effects of high temperatures on soil, water, and air samples.
- Food and agriculture: Furnaces are used in the food and agricultural industries to test the nutritional content and quality of food products.
- Geology and mining: Furnaces are used in geology and mining research to study the properties of rocks and minerals.
- Energy: Laboratory furnaces are used in the energy industry to test the performance and efficiency of energy-related products, such as batteries and solar cells.
- Aerospace: Furnaces are used in the aerospace industry to test the strength and durability of materials used in aircraft and spacecraft.
Supply and Calibration
At AML Instruments, we provide top-quality laboratory furnaces and offer calibration services to ensure that your equipment is functioning at its best. Whether you need a one-time calibration or prefer to enrol in a service plan, we have options to fit your needs.
Our skilled technicians are trained to calibrate your furnace to ensure optimal performance and reliability accurately. Trust us to keep your laboratory running smoothly with our comprehensive calibration services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
There is an option for calibration to UKAS ISO 17025 and or Nadcap AMS 2570 for those in the aerospace industry.
Get In Touch With AML Instruments
If you need to contact AML Instruments, there are several ways you can do so. You can call us at 01522 401 375, email us at [email protected], or use the contact form in the “Contact Us” section.
We strive to provide excellent customer service and will do our best to respond promptly to your inquiries or concerns. Whether you have a question about one of our products, need assistance with an order, or have a suggestion for us, we welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for choosing AML Instruments.
