Nabertherm RT Series Horizontal/Vertical Tube Furnace
| Brand | Nabertherm |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | RT |
| Max. Operating Temperature | 1100 °C / 1300 °C / 1500 °C |
| Tube Diameter (Ø) | 50–150 mm |
| Heating Zone Length | 250–360 mm |
| Uniformity (ΔT @ 10 K) | ±5 K over heating zone |
| Power Supply | 1-phase, 1.8 kW |
| Weight | 25–45 kg |
| Construction Material | C 530 high-alumina refractory tube |
| Thermocouple Type | S-type (detachable from support) |
| Mounting Flexibility | Adjustable height & tilt angle (horizontal, vertical, or inclined operation) |
Overview
The Nabertherm RT Series is a precision-engineered horizontal/vertical tube furnace designed for controlled thermal processing in research laboratories and pilot-scale development environments. Based on resistive heating principles with silicon carbide (SiC) or high-alumina (C 530) heating elements embedded in thermally insulated ceramic fiber walls, the RT furnace delivers stable, repeatable temperature profiles across its defined heating zone. Its modular architecture supports operation in horizontal, vertical, or adjustable-angle configurations—enabling integration with gas delivery systems, vacuum manifolds, or in-situ analytical instrumentation such as XRD or mass spectrometers. With maximum operating temperatures of 1100 °C, 1300 °C, or 1500 °C depending on model variant, the RT series complies with DIN EN 60519-1 safety standards for industrial electroheating equipment and meets essential requirements for laboratory-grade thermal stability under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited conditions.
Key Features
- Compact, space-efficient design optimized for benchtop or floor-mounted installation in constrained lab spaces.
- Adjustable mounting frame enabling precise height positioning and variable tilt angles (0° to 90°), facilitating gravity-assisted sample loading or gas-flow alignment.
- C 530 high-purity alumina ceramic tube (ISO 6474 compliant) offering excellent thermal shock resistance, low porosity, and minimal alkali leaching—critical for oxide synthesis and catalyst calcination.
- S-type platinum-rhodium thermocouple (Type S, Class 1 per IEC 60584-2) mounted directly within the tube wall for accurate, drift-resistant temperature measurement; detachable for calibration without disassembling the furnace core.
- Integrated digital controller housed beneath the furnace base, featuring programmable ramp/soak cycles, real-time PID tuning, and hardware-based overtemperature cutoff (independent of control electronics).
- Robust insulation system combining low-conductivity ceramic fiber modules and reflective aluminum foil layers, minimizing surface temperature rise (<60 °C at ambient) and ensuring energy efficiency per DIN EN 15316-2-1.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The RT furnace accommodates cylindrical samples up to 150 mm in diameter and 360 mm in length, compatible with standard quartz, alumina, or silicon carbide crucibles and boats. It supports inert, reducing, oxidizing, and vacuum atmospheres (down to 10−2 mbar with optional vacuum flange kit). All models conform to CE marking directives (2014/35/EU Low Voltage Directive and 2014/30/EU EMC Directive), and meet electrical safety requirements outlined in UL 499 and CSA C22.2 No. 67. For GLP/GMP-regulated workflows, the controller optionally supports audit-trail-enabled logging (IEC 62304 Class B software) and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user access controls when paired with Nabertherm’s THERMOCOM software suite.
Software & Data Management
The integrated controller provides local setpoint programming and real-time monitoring via a backlit LCD interface. For advanced process documentation, the RT furnace is compatible with Nabertherm’s THERMOCOM PC software (Windows 10/11), enabling remote operation, multi-curve graphing, CSV export, and automated report generation per ASTM E2877-22 guidelines for thermal process validation. Data integrity features include timestamped event logs (power-on, alarm triggers, program completion), password-protected parameter modification, and non-volatile memory retention for up to 100 programs—even during power interruption.
Applications
- Thermal annealing of thin-film semiconductors (e.g., SiC, GaN) and 2D materials (graphene, MoS2) under controlled Ar/N2/H2 atmospheres.
- Calcination of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and battery cathode precursors (LiCoO2, NMC) with precise dwell-time control at 400–900 °C.
- Carbothermal reduction of metal oxides (e.g., TiO2 → TiC) using graphite-packed tubes and flowing CH4/H2 mixtures.
- Pre-sintering of ceramic green bodies prior to hot isostatic pressing (HIP), with uniform thermal gradients essential for defect minimization.
- Calibration reference source for infrared pyrometers and radiation thermometers per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.10.
FAQ
Can the RT furnace be operated under vacuum?
Yes—when equipped with an optional vacuum-rated flange kit and O-ring seal, the RT furnace achieves base pressures down to 10−2 mbar using standard two-stage rotary vane pumps.
Is the C 530 tube chemically resistant to HF or molten salts?
No—C 530 alumina exhibits limited resistance to hydrofluoric acid and eutectic fluoride/chloride melts; quartz or recrystallized alumina alternatives are recommended for such applications.
Does the controller support Ethernet or RS-485 communication?
Standard models feature RS-232 only; RS-485 and Ethernet interfaces are available via optional THERMOCOM Link module for centralized lab automation integration.
What is the typical temperature uniformity across the heating zone?
At nominal setpoint, radial and axial uniformity is ±5 K over the specified heating length (250–360 mm), verified per ASTM E220-21 Annex A3 using calibrated multi-point thermocouple mapping.
Are replacement tubes and heating elements available as spare parts?
Yes—Nabertherm maintains full OEM spares inventory including C 530 tubes, SiC heating elements, insulation modules, and S-type thermocouples, all traceable to material certificates per EN 10204 3.1.
