LAC K120/14 High-Temperature Box Furnace (1400 °C)
| Brand | LAC |
|---|---|
| Origin | Czech Republic |
| Type | Box Muffle Furnace |
| Max Temperature | 1400 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1 °C |
| Max Power | 10.5 kW |
| Heating Time to Max Temp | 100 min |
| Heating Element | Kanthal APM Resistance Wire |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions | 450 × 530 × 500 mm (W × H × D) |
| Standard Controller | Ceramic PID (20 programs, 15 steps each) |
| Optional Controllers | HT205 (30×15, LAN), HT200 (30×25, LAN + USB) |
| Compliance | CE, EN 61000-6-3, EN 61000-6-4, IEC 61000-4-2/4/5/6 |
Overview
The LAC K120/14 is a high-precision, top-tier box-type muffle furnace engineered for demanding thermal processing applications up to 1400 °C. Designed and manufactured in the Czech Republic by LAC, a long-established European specialist in industrial and laboratory thermal systems, this furnace employs five-sided resistive heating via Kanthal® APM alloy heating elements—optimized for stability and longevity at extreme temperatures. Its robust ceramic fiber insulation and Alsint® high-purity alumina-silicate tube lining ensure exceptional thermal uniformity (<±3 °C across the chamber at 1400 °C) and minimal heat loss. The furnace operates on a convection-free, radiation-dominated heating principle—ideal for controlled oxidation, sintering, ashing, calcination, and heat treatment where atmospheric purity and thermal linearity are critical. It meets fundamental safety and EMC requirements per CE marking directives (EN 61000-6-3/6-4, IEC 61000-4-2/4/5/6) and is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant laboratories and ISO 17025-accredited testing facilities.
Key Features
- Five-wall heating architecture ensures superior temperature homogeneity and rapid thermal response across the full 450 × 530 × 500 mm working chamber
- Kanthal APM heating elements—certified for continuous operation at 1400 °C with >5,000 h service life under standard cycling conditions
- Alsint 99.7% Al₂O₃-SiO₂ ceramic tube lining provides chemical inertness, low thermal mass, and resistance to alkali vapor corrosion
- Standard ceramic PID controller with 20 programmable profiles (15 steps each), supporting ramp-soak-hold sequences with derivative-free control logic
- Optional HT200 or HT205 digital controllers featuring audit-trail-capable logging, LAN/USB/EIA-485 interfaces, and compliance-ready data export (CSV, XML)
- Manual left-hinged door with high-temp ceramic gasket and integrated mechanical latch system rated for 1400 °C cyclic use
- Integrated flue port (K50–K300 models) and manually adjustable ventilation valve enable controlled atmosphere modulation during hold phases
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The K120/14 accommodates diverse sample forms—including crucibles (Pt, Al₂O₃, SiC), ceramic green bodies, powdered metallurgical compacts, glass frits, and refractory test bars—without risk of contamination from metallic heating element outgassing. Its fully enclosed muffle design isolates samples from direct contact with heating elements and combustion byproducts. The furnace supports ASTM C865 (sintering shrinkage), ISO 5660-1 (fire reaction calorimetry pre-conditioning), and USP (heavy metal residue ashing). When equipped with HT200/HT205 controllers and HTMonit software, it satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures, including user authentication, event logging, and immutable data archiving.
Software & Data Management
HTMonit is LAC’s dedicated thermal process management suite, compatible with HT200 and HT205 controllers. It enables real-time multi-channel monitoring (up to 4 thermocouple inputs), automated calibration verification (per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5), and generation of IQ/OQ documentation packages. All temperature profiles, deviations, alarm events, and operator actions are timestamped and stored with cryptographic hash integrity. Data exports comply with LIMS integration standards (ASTM E1467, IEEE 11073) and support CSV, PDF, and XML formats for traceability audits. Optional RS232/EIA-485 interface modules allow seamless integration into centralized lab automation networks.
Applications
- Ceramic R&D: Sintering optimization of zirconia, alumina, silicon carbide, and lithium-ion battery cathode precursors
- Materials Testing: Thermal expansion coefficient determination (DIL), phase transformation analysis (TMA support), and ash content quantification per ISO 2107
- Glass Engineering: Annealing, tempering, and devitrification studies of borosilicate, soda-lime, and optical crown glasses
- Metallurgy: Homogenization heat treatment of superalloys, oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and powder metallurgy compacts
- Environmental Analysis: Gravimetric determination of total suspended solids (TSS), volatile solids (VS), and fixed carbon in sludge and soil matrices
FAQ
What thermocouple type is recommended for 1400 °C operation?
Type S (Pt/Pt–10% Rh) or Type B (Pt–30% Rh / Pt–6% Rh) thermocouples are required; standard Type K is not rated beyond 1200 °C.
Can the furnace be operated under inert or reducing atmospheres?
Yes—when fitted with optional gas inlet ports and purge-compatible door seals, it supports N₂, Ar, or forming gas (5% H₂/95% N₂) environments; consult LAC Application Note AN-K120-ATM for pressure and flow specifications.
Is remote monitoring supported without purchasing HTMonit?
Basic Ethernet status polling (temperature, state, alarms) is available via Modbus TCP on HT205-equipped units; full functionality requires HTMonit license.
How often does the heating element require replacement under typical usage?
Under nominal cycling (3–5 cycles/day, ≤1400 °C), Kanthal APM elements typically exceed 5,000 operating hours before resistance drift exceeds ±5%, as verified by periodic loop calibration.
Does the furnace include validation documentation for GMP environments?
Factory-installed units ship with a Certificate of Conformance and as-built drawings; IQ/OQ protocols and calibration certificates (NIST-traceable) are available as optional services.
