Zhuochi SX3-5-10D-2 Forced-Air Circulating Muffle Furnace
| Brand | Zhuochi |
|---|---|
| Origin | Zhejiang, China |
| Model | SX3-5-10D-2 |
| Furnace Type | Box-Type Muffle Furnace |
| Max Operating Temperature | 800 °C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±1 °C |
| Heating Rate (to max temp) | ≤30 °C/min (adjustable) |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions | 350 × 350 × 350 mm (W × D × H) |
| Nominal Volume | 40 L |
| Rated Power | 5 kW |
| Heating Element | Nickel-Chromium Resistance Wire |
| Insulation | High-Emissivity, Low-Heat-Capacity Ceramic Fiber Board |
| Control System | Yudian Touchscreen Programmable PID Controller with SSR Output |
| Temperature Sensor | K-Type Thermocouple |
| Power Supply | 380 V, 50 Hz |
| Net Weight | ~177 kg |
Overview
The Zhuochi SX3-5-10D-2 is a forced-air circulating muffle furnace engineered for precise thermal processing in academic laboratories, materials research facilities, and industrial quality control environments. Unlike static air furnaces, this model integrates a high-efficiency axial circulation fan to actively homogenize temperature distribution across the entire 40 L chamber—ensuring uniform heat transfer and minimizing thermal gradients during annealing, ashing, calcination, or heat treatment protocols. Its operational range spans from ambient +10 °C up to 800 °C, with a certified temperature stability of ±1 °C under steady-state conditions. The furnace employs a dual-layer insulation architecture: outer cold-rolled steel housing treated with phosphate conversion coating and electrostatic gray powder coating, and an inner chamber constructed entirely from ultra-lightweight, high-radiation ceramic fiber boards—reducing thermal inertia and enabling rapid ramp rates (≤30 °C/min) while consuming approximately one-third the energy of conventional refractory-lined furnaces.
Key Features
- Forced convection system with adjustable-speed axial fan for improved temperature uniformity (±1 °C across working zone)
- Programmable touchscreen controller (Yudian brand) supporting multi-segment ramp-soak profiles, real-time data logging, and user-defined heating/cooling rates
- PID + SSR (Solid-State Relay) closed-loop control architecture with auto-tuning capability and digital setpoint resolution of 1 °C
- Dual-stage overtemperature protection: primary electronic cutoff at 850 °C and secondary mechanical safety switch at 900 °C
- Integrated status indicator (three-color LED tower light) for power-on, normal operation, and fault conditions
- Pre-wired electrical interface between furnace body and controller; no field wiring required beyond main power connection
- Front-accessible chamber door with reinforced gasket seal and counterbalanced hinge mechanism for ergonomic loading/unloading
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
This muffle furnace accommodates standard crucibles (alumina, quartz, stainless steel), ceramic boats, and refractory sample holders within its 350 × 350 × 350 mm usable chamber. It complies with general-purpose laboratory safety standards including IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity). While not certified for Class I Division 1 hazardous locations, it meets EN 60519-1 requirements for electrically heated industrial furnaces. For regulated applications—such as ASTM E1112 (ash content determination), ISO 1171 (determination of ash in coal), or USP heavy metals testing—the unit supports GLP-compliant operation when paired with external audit-trail-capable data acquisition systems via its open RS485 Modbus RTU protocol interface.
Software & Data Management
The embedded Yudian controller provides local profile storage for up to 30 programmable segments per recipe, with timestamped event logging (start/stop, alarm triggers, setpoint changes). Optional PC-based software (sold separately) enables remote monitoring, batch report generation (CSV/PDF), and integration into LIMS or MES platforms through standard communication protocols. All temperature recordings include thermocouple cold-junction compensation and linearization per NIST ITS-90 tables. The system supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant configurations when deployed with validated third-party software that enforces electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails.
Applications
- Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) sample pre-conditioning and residue quantification
- Ash content determination in foodstuffs, pharmaceutical excipients, and environmental samples per AOAC, EPA, and ISO methods
- Calcination of catalyst precursors and metal oxide powders in materials science R&D
- Heat treatment of metallurgical specimens prior to microstructural analysis (e.g., SEM/EDS, XRD)
- Residue incineration in clinical and forensic toxicology workflows
- Calibration verification of thermocouples and RTDs using fixed-point reference materials
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended continuous operating temperature?
The furnace is rated for continuous operation at 800 °C. Prolonged use above this temperature may accelerate degradation of heating elements and insulation integrity.
Can the circulation fan speed be adjusted independently of temperature programming?
Yes—the fan operates at three preset speeds (low/medium/high), selectable via the controller’s auxiliary menu; speed remains constant during each programmed segment unless manually changed.
Is the thermocouple included with the unit?
A calibrated K-type thermocouple is factory-installed and integrated into the control loop; replacement sensors must meet ASTM E230 Class 1 tolerance specifications.
Does the unit support nitrogen or argon purging?
No dedicated gas inlet/outlet ports are provided; however, users may retrofit inert gas introduction via custom flanged adapters installed on the rear inspection port—subject to internal pressure limitations (<0.02 MPa gauge).
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal performance?
Inspect ceramic fiber integrity and door gasket compression annually; verify thermocouple calibration semiannually using a traceable dry-block calibrator; clean fan blades and intake filters quarterly in high-dust environments.
