As a high-temperature equipment commonly used for material processing and preparation, the precautions for using a vacuum tube furnace are crucial for ensuring the normal operation of the equipment, extending its service life, and ensuring experimental safety. So what should be noted during the use of vacuum tube furnaces? Let's take a look below!

A commonly used vacuum tube furnace (click on the image to view product details)

1. Equipment inspection and preparation
Pre operation inspection: Ensure that the equipment is in normal operation and check whether the heating elements, temperature control system, vacuum system, and other components are intact.
Cleaning the furnace: Clean the residue inside the furnace to prevent any impact on subsequent experiments.
Oven treatment: After first use or long-term disuse, oven treatment is required. The baking time is generally four hours from room temperature to 200 ℃, four hours from 200 ℃ to 600 ℃, or one hour at around 120 ℃ and two hours at around 300 ℃ before use to avoid furnace cracking.

2. Precautions during operation
Temperature control:
Choose the appropriate heating temperature and time according to the experimental requirements, avoiding exceeding the rated temperature to prevent damage to the heating elements and furnace lining.
During the heating process, the temperature should be slowly increased to avoid excessive temperature fluctuations that may cause the reaction to lose control.
If quartz tubes are used in the furnace, when the temperature exceeds 1000 ℃, the high-temperature part of the quartz tube will exhibit opacity (loss of transparency), which is a normal phenomenon.

Vacuum operation:
To avoid suddenly turning on the vacuum pump at high temperatures, the temperature should be lowered to a lower state before performing the vacuum pumping operation to prevent the furnace body from cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Regularly check the sealing and vacuum degree of the vacuum system to ensure that it meets the experimental requirements.

Atmosphere control:
Monitor the atmosphere inside the furnace, adjust the flow rate and pressure of the reaction atmosphere in a timely manner, and ensure that the reaction atmosphere meets the experimental requirements.

Customized large-diameter vacuum tube furnace (click on the image to view product details)

3. Safety and Maintenance
Work environment: Ensure that the vacuum tube furnace is used in an environment where the relative humidity does not exceed 85%, there is no conductive dust, explosive gases, or corrosive gases. Avoid the influence and corrosion of large amounts of volatile gases on electric heating elements.

Prohibited items:
It is prohibited to pour various liquids and easily soluble metals into the furnace.
Do not pull out the thermocouple at high temperatures to prevent the jacket from breaking.

Maintenance and upkeep:
Regularly check if the electrical connections of the temperature control system are in good contact and if the connection points of the heating elements are securely fastened.
Regularly replace vulnerable parts such as thermocouples and heating tubes to ensure that the equipment operates in good condition.
After using the furnace for a period of time, if the vacuum degree decreases, the heat-resistant silicone ring between the stainless steel flanges can be replaced or the stainless steel flanges can be reinstalled to improve the overall vacuum degree of the system.
Handling and Placement: When handling a vacuum tube furnace, be careful to avoid severe resonance and keep it away from flammable, explosive, water, and other materials. It is strictly prohibited to lift the furnace door to avoid damage to the furnace door.

Rotating tilted vacuum tube furnace (click on the picture to view product details)

So, when using a vacuum tube furnace, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating procedures and safety regulations to ensure the normal operation of the equipment and the safe conduct of experiments.Click to learn more tube furnaces! Or click on online customer service to learn more about product information!