Carbolite Gero FHA/FHC Series 1350 °C Horizontal/Vertical Tube Furnace

Overview

The Carbolite Gero FHA/FHC Series is a high-precision, dual-orientation (horizontal or vertical) tube furnace engineered for demanding thermal processing applications in materials science, catalysis research, semiconductor development, and advanced ceramics synthesis. Operating at up to 1350 °C, it employs a robust, low-thermal-mass ceramic fibre insulation architecture combined with vacuum-formed fibrous insulation housing embedded 5 mm APM (Aluminium–Phosphorus–Molybdenum) alloy heating elements. This construction minimises thermal inertia, enables rapid ramp rates, and ensures exceptional temperature stability—critical for repeatable sintering, annealing, calcination, and controlled-atmosphere reactions. The furnace core utilises Type S (Platinum–10% Rhodium / Platinum) thermocouples for long-term calibration stability and traceable accuracy across the full operating range. Its modular design supports configurable heating zone lengths (200–1250 mm) and accommodates process tubes up to 110 mm outer diameter, making it suitable for both small-scale R&D and pilot-scale thermal treatment protocols.

Key Features

• High-temperature capability: Continuous operation up to 1350 °C with over-temperature protection circuitry compliant with IEC 61000-6-2/4 electromagnetic compatibility standards.
• Multi-segment programmable control: 24-step ramp-soak profiles managed by either the EPC3016P1 (FHA) or CC-T1 (FHC) digital controller—both supporting real-time parameter adjustment, alarm logging, and user-accessible setpoint limits.
• Thermal uniformity optimisation: Up to eight independently monitored and adjusted heating zones ensure ±2 °C uniformity across the hot zone under steady-state conditions (per ISO 9001-compliant validation procedures).
• Low-thermal-mass insulation: Ceramic fibre insulation with <0.15 W/m·K thermal conductivity at 1000 °C reduces standby energy consumption and improves thermal response fidelity.
• Flexible configuration: Supplied with 3 m interconnect cable between furnace and external control cabinet (6 m optional); compatible with L-brackets, radiation shields, and thermal end plugs to minimise axial heat loss and enhance longitudinal uniformity.
• Digital integration ready: Optional Ethernet interface enables remote monitoring, SCADA integration, and audit-trail-enabled data capture aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated software packages.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FHA/FHC series accommodates a broad spectrum of process tube materials—including fused quartz, high-purity alumina, silicon carbide, and refractory metals—enabling inert, oxidising, reducing (including H₂ at temperatures ≥750 °C when integrated with Carbolite Gero’s certified laboratory gas safety system), and vacuum environments. Vacuum configurations support mechanical rotary vane pumps (for base pressures down to 10⁻² mbar) or turbomolecular pumping systems (to 10⁻⁷ mbar), with compatibility verified for tube internal diameters ≥60 mm. All furnace variants are CE-marked and conform to EN 60519-1 (safety requirements for industrial electroheating equipment) and EN 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits). Optional oxygen probes allow real-time ppm-level O₂ monitoring in inert gas lines, supporting ASTM E2913 and ISO 8501-1 compliance for surface-sensitive thermal treatments.

Software & Data Management

Controllers feature built-in data logging (≥10,000 event records) with timestamped temperature, power, and alarm data exportable via USB or Ethernet. When configured with Carbolite Gero’s optional DCS-Link software suite, users gain GLP/GMP-aligned functionality including electronic signatures, change-controlled recipe management, automated report generation (PDF/CSV), and secure audit trails meeting 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 expectations. Remote access is supported via TLS-encrypted web interface, enabling cross-site collaboration and centralised furnace fleet monitoring without compromising local network security policies.

Applications

• Controlled-atmosphere sintering of oxide and non-oxide ceramics (e.g., YSZ, SiC, AlN)
• Thermal decomposition and precursor calcination in battery material synthesis (e.g., NMC, LFP cathodes)
• Catalyst activation and regeneration under H₂/N₂ mixtures
• Graphitisation and carbonisation of polymer-derived ceramics
• Diffusion studies using sealed quartz ampoules under argon or vacuum
• Thin-film annealing and dopant drive-in processes in microelectronics R&D
• Thermogravimetric coupling via custom flange interfaces for simultaneous mass-loss and thermal profiling

FAQ

What is the standard warranty period for the FHA/FHC furnace?
Carbolite Gero provides a 24-month limited warranty covering parts and labour for defects in materials and workmanship under normal laboratory use.
Can the furnace be operated vertically without modification?
Yes—the FHA/FHC series includes reinforced mounting points and balanced thermal expansion design, permitting certified vertical installation using supplied L-brackets and stabilisation hardware.
Is vacuum-tight flange integration supported?
Standard configurations include ISO-KF 40 or CF-63 vacuum flanges; custom flange designs (e.g., ISO-F, ConFlat) are available upon request with pressure rating certification.
How is temperature uniformity validated?
Uniformity mapping follows ASTM E220 and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures using calibrated Type S thermocouples at ≥5 axial and radial positions; validation reports are provided with each unit.
Are firmware updates available post-installation?
Yes—controller firmware upgrades are distributed via Carbolite Gero’s secure customer portal and installed via USB stick, with version history and release notes traceable per ISO 13485 documentation requirements.