Zhuochi 30165-10A Vertical Split-Type Programmable Tube Furnace

Overview

The Zhuochi 30165-10A Vertical Split-Type Programmable Tube Furnace is a precision-engineered high-temperature thermal processing system designed for controlled atmosphere and open-air applications in materials science, metallurgy, ceramics, and analytical chemistry laboratories. Unlike conventional muffle furnaces, this vertical-split architecture employs a dual semi-cylindrical heating chamber that opens laterally—enabling rapid, non-invasive access to the heated zone without thermal shutdown or cooldown delay. Its core operational principle relies on resistive heating via embedded high-purity Kanthal A1 or FeCrAl alloy resistance wires, uniformly distributed across the 200 mm active heating zone, delivering stable thermal gradients and repeatable ramp/soak profiles up to 1000 °C. The furnace is not intended for vacuum or pressurized operation but is fully compatible with inert gas purging (N₂, Ar) through standard quartz or alumina tube interfaces—making it suitable for annealing, sintering, calcination, oxidation/reduction studies, and small-part heat treatment per ASTM E1111, ISO 8573-1, and USP thermal validation protocols.

Key Features

• Vertical split-shell design with precision-aligned ceramic fiber insulation and stainless steel outer casing (304 grade), ensuring mechanical stability and long-term thermal integrity
• 30-stage programmable PID temperature controller with real-time ramp rate adjustment (0.1–20 °C/min), multi-segment soak-hold capability, and automatic fault logging
• ±1 °C temperature uniformity and accuracy across the 200 mm heating zone—validated per ASTM E220 calibration methodology
• Integrated dual safety architecture: independent over-temperature cutoff (mechanical limit switch + digital thermocouple redundancy) plus residual-current device (RCD) protection rated at ≤30 mA trip current
• Front-access terminal block for seamless integration of external thermocouples, gas flow meters, or pressure transducers via standard 0–10 V or 4–20 mA analog I/O
• Optional vertical support stand with adjustable height and leveling feet—engineered for ergonomic alignment with glove boxes, fume hoods, or custom reactor manifolds

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This furnace accommodates standard cylindrical tubes with outer diameters of Ø50 mm and minimum usable length of 400 mm (recommended tube material: fused quartz for ≤1000 °C; high-purity alumina for extended service life). Sample loading is performed externally—eliminating thermal shock risks associated with cold insertion into hot zones. The unit complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits) and IEC 61010-1 (safety requirements for laboratory electrical equipment). Its control firmware supports audit trail generation and user-access-level configuration—facilitating adherence to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated third-party data acquisition software. All electrical components meet RoHS 2 directive requirements; no hazardous substances are used in insulation or wiring.

Software & Data Management

While the onboard controller operates autonomously, optional RS485/Modbus RTU interface enables bidirectional communication with Windows-based PC software (supplied separately). This application provides real-time temperature graphing, CSV export of time-stamped thermocouple readings (including setpoint, PV, and error values), and comparative overlay of multiple thermal cycles. Data files include operator ID, timestamp, program ID, and system event log—supporting traceability under GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 quality management systems. No cloud connectivity or proprietary drivers are required; raw Modbus register maps are provided for integration into LabVIEW, MATLAB, or SCADA environments.

Applications

• Controlled-atmosphere annealing of thin-film metal oxides (e.g., TiO₂, NiO) for photovoltaic and catalytic research
• Thermal gravimetric pre-treatment of catalyst supports prior to BET surface area analysis
• Small-batch sintering of ceramic green bodies (Al₂O₃, ZrO₂) with reproducible density and grain growth kinetics
• Calibration and aging tests of thermocouples, RTDs, and infrared sensors against NIST-traceable reference standards
• Heat treatment of miniature steel specimens (≤Ø10 mm × 25 mm) for microstructure evaluation per ASTM E384 and ISO 6507
• Decomposition kinetics studies of carbonates, hydrates, and organometallic precursors under dynamic nitrogen purge

FAQ

Is the furnace compatible with vacuum or reducing atmospheres?
Yes—when used with appropriate quartz or high-purity alumina tubes and sealed end caps, it supports inert gas purging (N₂, Ar) and low-pressure (<100 mbar) vacuum conditions. For H₂ or CO atmospheres, additional gas safety interlocks and explosion-proof certification are required and must be implemented externally.
What type of thermocouple is recommended for temperature monitoring inside the tube?
Type K (Chromel-Alumel) thermocouples with ceramic insulation and grounded junctions are standard for ≤1000 °C. For enhanced longevity in repeated thermal cycling, mineral-insulated (MI) Type K probes with Inconel 600 sheathing are advised.
Can the controller store multiple programs independently?
Yes—the internal memory retains up to 16 user-defined 30-segment programs with password-protected editing. Programs can be recalled, modified, or duplicated without affecting active runtime parameters.
Does the unit include a cooling fan or forced-air quenching option?
No—this model relies on passive air cooling. Rapid quenching requires external forced-air or water-cooled sample holders positioned outside the heated zone; such configurations fall outside factory warranty scope.
Is CE marking available for export to the European Union?
CE documentation—including Declaration of Conformity, technical file summary, and EMC test reports—is supplied upon request for units configured to IEC 61000-6-3 and IEC 61010-1 compliance. Custom labeling and language-specific manuals are available for OEM distribution.