ZHONGHUAN FURNACE ZHX-B03173/183 High-Temperature Stainless Steel Box-Type Muffle Furnace (1700°C / 1800°C)
| Brand | ZHONGHUAN FURNACE |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tianjin, China |
| Model | ZHX-B03173 (1700°C) / ZHX-B03183 (1800°C) |
| Chamber Dimensions (W×D×H) | 150×140×150 mm (ZHX-B03173), 150×140×140 mm (ZHX-B03183) |
| Effective Volume | 3 L |
| Rated Power | 5 kW (ZHX-B03173), 6 kW (ZHX-B03183) |
| Voltage | 220 V AC, Single-Phase |
| Max. Heating Rate | ≤10°C/min (<1200°C), ≤5°C/min (1200–1600°C), ≤3°C/min (1600–1700°C), ≤2°C/min (1700–1800°C) |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±5°C (at 1700°C), ±6°C (at 1800°C) |
| Control Accuracy | ±1°C |
| Heating Element | 0Cr27Al7Mo2 High-Resistance Alloy Wire |
| Hot Zone Insulation | Polycrystalline Molybdenum Fiber (ZHX-B03173), Zirconia Composite Fiber (ZHX-B03183) |
| Safety Features | Automatic Door-Interlocked Power Cut-off, Over-Temperature Alarm & Shutdown, Ground-Fault Circuit Interruption, Surface-Cooling Fan Activation at ≥50°C |
| Interface | RS-485 Serial Port (Modbus RTU), Optional Ethernet Integration & PC-Based Supervisory Software (Up to 200 Units) |
Overview
The ZHONGHUAN FURNACE ZHX-B03173 and ZHX-B03183 are high-temperature, benchtop box-type muffle furnaces engineered for precision thermal processing in research and quality assurance laboratories. Designed for periodic operation under controlled atmospheric conditions, these furnaces employ resistive heating via high-stability 0Cr27Al7Mo2 alloy wire elements embedded within a low-conductivity, vacuum-formed polycrystalline molybdenum fiber insulation (ZHX-B03173) or a zirconia-reinforced composite fiber hot zone (ZHX-B03183). The dual-rated models support maximum operating temperatures of 1700°C and 1800°C respectively, with stable working ranges from 800°C to 1650°C (ZHX-B03173) and 800°C to 1750°C (ZHX-B03183). Their stainless steel enclosure—fabricated from custom-embossed, non-painted, organic-free 304-grade sheet—ensures long-term corrosion resistance, mechanical integrity, and compliance with ISO 14001 environmental handling requirements. Unlike conventional ceramic-fiber-insulated units, the optimized thermal architecture reduces standby heat loss by >50%, enabling reproducible ramp-hold-cool cycles essential for sintering, annealing, oxidation, and phase transformation studies.
Key Features
- Robust stainless steel housing with seamless, weld-free surface finish—designed for cleanroom-compatible environments and routine decontamination protocols.
- Intelligent dual-stage thermal management: ambient-air cooling fans activate automatically when external casing temperature exceeds 50°C, maintaining surface temperature below 65°C during continuous operation at rated temperature.
- Triple-layer safety architecture: door-interrupt microswitch disables power upon opening; independent over-temperature controller triggers audible alarm and hardwired cutoff at user-defined threshold; integrated RCD (Residual Current Device) detects leakage currents ≥30 mA and isolates supply within 30 ms.
- PID-based digital temperature controller with auto-tuning capability, supporting up to 30 programmable segments (standard) or 40 segments (optional imported module); ramp rates and dwell times configurable in 1°C/1-min resolution.
- RS-485 Modbus RTU interface standard; optional Ethernet gateway enables integration into centralized LabVantage or Thermo Fisher SampleManager LIMS platforms for 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails, electronic signatures, and remote supervision of multi-furnace arrays.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
These furnaces accommodate crucibles and sample holders made from alumina, silicon carbide, molybdenum, tungsten, or graphite—compatible with ASTM C1171 (sintering shrinkage), ISO 8006 (ceramic densification), and USP (residue on ignition) methodologies. The uniform temperature distribution (±5°C at 1700°C, ±6°C at 1800°C across the 3 L chamber) meets the spatial homogeneity requirements specified in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 6.4.3 for accredited thermal testing labs. All electrical components conform to IEC 61000-4 immunity standards and CE-marked per Directive 2014/35/EU (Low Voltage Directive) and 2014/30/EU (EMC Directive). No volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted during operation due to the absence of paint, coatings, or binders in structural materials—supporting LEED-certified laboratory sustainability goals.
Software & Data Management
The furnace integrates with ZHONGHUAN’s proprietary FurnaceControl Suite v3.2 (Windows-based), which supports real-time temperature logging at 1-second intervals, synchronized multi-channel acquisition (when paired with optional thermocouple input modules), and export of CSV/Excel-formatted datasets compliant with GLP documentation standards. Audit trail functionality records all parameter changes—including setpoint modifications, program uploads, and manual overrides—with timestamp, operator ID, and IP address. When deployed with the optional industrial Ethernet adapter, the system supports OPC UA server configuration for interoperability with Siemens Desigo CC, Schneider EcoStruxure, or LabArchives ELN environments. Data encryption (AES-256) and role-based access control (RBAC) align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B requirements for electronic records and signatures.
Applications
- Sintering of advanced ceramics (e.g., Si₃N₄, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂), metal matrix composites, and solid-state electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
- Controlled oxidation of transition metals (Ni, Co, Fe) and rare-earth alloys to characterize oxide layer growth kinetics per ASTM G179.
- Thermal annealing of semiconductor precursors (e.g., CuInGaSe₂ thin films) and thermoelectric materials (Bi₂Te₃, PbTe) under inert or reducing atmospheres (with optional gas inlet kit).
- Heat treatment of dental and orthopedic biomaterials (e.g., hydroxyapatite scaffolds) per ISO 13779-2 biocompatibility validation protocols.
- Calibration reference source for high-temperature pyrometers (up to 1800°C) in metrology labs accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended continuous operating temperature for the ZHX-B03173 model?
The ZHX-B03173 is rated for continuous operation up to 1650°C; extended exposure above this temperature accelerates heating element degradation and compromises thermal uniformity.
Can the furnace be operated under vacuum or controlled gas atmosphere?
Standard configuration is air-atmosphere only; optional quartz or stainless steel gas-tight flanges with NPT ports and mass flow controller integration are available for inert (Ar, N₂) or reducing (H₂/N₂) environments.
Is the temperature controller compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for regulated pharmaceutical labs?
Yes—when configured with the Ethernet-enabled control module and FurnaceControl Suite v3.2, full Part 11 compliance (electronic signatures, audit trail, data integrity) is achievable via validated installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) protocols.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal performance?
Inspect heating elements and insulation integrity every 200 operational hours; recalibrate thermocouple input annually using NIST-traceable reference sources; replace air filter for cooling fan quarterly in dusty environments.
Does the furnace support third-party SCADA integration?
Yes—Modbus RTU (RS-485) and OPC UA (via Ethernet option) enable direct connectivity to Ignition SCADA, Siemens WinCC, or Emerson DeltaV DCS systems without proprietary middleware.
