ZHX-18173 High-Temperature Box-Type Muffle Furnace (1700 °C)
| Brand | ZHONGHUAN FURNACE |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tianjin, China |
| Model | ZHX-18173 |
| Instrument Type | Box-Type Muffle Furnace |
| Max. Operating Temperature | 1700 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1 °C |
| Rated Power | 18 kW |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions | 300 × 250 × 250 mm |
| Heating Element | Silicon-Molybdenum (MoSi₂) Rods |
| Voltage Requirement | 380 V AC (Three-Phase) |
| Cooling System | Auto-Activated Surface-Cooling Fan (Triggered at ≥50 °C External Surface Temp) |
Overview
The ZHX-18173 High-Temperature Box-Type Muffle Furnace is an industrial-grade laboratory furnace engineered for precise thermal processing up to 1700 °C. Designed around a robust MoSi₂ heating element architecture and high-efficiency ceramic fiber insulation, it delivers exceptional thermal uniformity and energy efficiency—reducing power consumption by over 40% compared to conventional refractory brick-lined furnaces. Its muffle configuration isolates the heating chamber from combustion gases and external contaminants, ensuring inert, repeatable thermal environments suitable for sintering, ashing, calcination, heat treatment, and material synthesis under controlled atmospheric conditions. The furnace complies with fundamental safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements per IEC 61000-6-3 and IEC 61000-6-4, and its control architecture supports integration into GLP-compliant workflows through audit-trail-capable data logging.
Key Features
- High-performance insulation using low-density, high-purity alumina-silica ceramic fiber modules—achieving radial temperature uniformity of ±5 °C across the working zone at 1700 °C.
- MoSi₂ heating elements rated for continuous operation at 1800 °C surface temperature, with integrated current-limiting and soft-start circuitry to suppress inrush current and extend service life beyond 2,000 operational hours.
- Intelligent thermal management: an ambient-temperature-sensitive fan activates automatically when external casing exceeds 50 °C, maintaining safe touch-surface temperatures during extended high-temperature runs.
- Triple-layer safety interlock system: door-open power cutoff, independent overtemperature cutout (settable up to 1720 °C), and residual-current detection with <30 mA trip threshold.
- Advanced PID + fuzzy logic temperature controller with self-tuning capability; supports up to 40 programmable ramp-hold segments (with optional imported controller module).
- Standard RS-485 interface compliant with Modbus RTU protocol, enabling centralized monitoring and control of up to 200 units via dedicated SCADA or custom LabVIEW/Python-based supervision software.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ZHX-18173 accommodates crucibles and sample boats made from alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, and platinum-group alloys—compatible with ASTM E1111 (ash content determination), ISO 562 (volatile matter in coal), and USP <231> (heavy metals testing). Its sealed muffle design minimizes cross-contamination and permits use in air, argon, nitrogen, or reducing atmospheres (with optional gas inlet kit). All electrical components meet CE marking requirements for Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and RoHS 2011/65/EU. Optional configurations include Class II insulation rating and enhanced IP2X enclosure protection for shared lab environments.
Software & Data Management
The furnace integrates seamlessly with ZHONGHUAN’s proprietary FurnaceLink™ PC software (Windows 10/11 compatible), supporting real-time temperature curve visualization, event-triggered data export (CSV/Excel), alarm history with timestamps, and configurable report templates aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 expectations—including electronic signatures, user access levels, and immutable audit trails. Data integrity is preserved via cyclic redundancy check (CRC)-protected serial communication and local non-volatile memory backup (retains last 100 cycles even during power loss).
Applications
- High-temperature sintering of advanced ceramics (e.g., Si₃N₄, Al₂O₃, YSZ) and metal oxide powders.
- Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) pre-conditioning and residue quantification per ISO 11721.
- Preparation of calibration standards for XRF and ICP-OES laboratories.
- Heat treatment of refractory tooling inserts and aerospace superalloy test specimens.
- Controlled oxidation studies of carbon composites and battery cathode materials (e.g., NMC, LFP).
- Research-scale pyrolysis and devolatilization experiments requiring precise dwell-time control at >1500 °C.
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended continuous operating temperature?
The furnace is rated for continuous operation at 1700 °C. Short-term excursions to 1720 °C are permissible for ≤30 minutes per cycle, provided cooling intervals exceed 90 minutes between such events.
Can this furnace be operated under vacuum or inert gas?
Yes—when equipped with the optional quartz-sealed flange and gas purge port (N₂/Ar inlet + exhaust valve), it achieves leak rates <1×10⁻³ mbar·L/s under static vacuum conditions.
Is remote firmware update supported?
Firmware upgrades are performed via USB-to-RS485 adapter and FurnaceLink™ utility; no internet connection is required on the host PC.
Does the system support third-party SCADA integration?
Yes—Modbus RTU register map documentation is provided upon request, enabling integration with Siemens SIMATIC, Rockwell FactoryTalk, or Ignition SCADA platforms.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for MoSi₂ elements?
Visual inspection every 200 h; resistance measurement every 500 h; replacement advised when cold resistance increases by >25% from baseline or when visible crystalline degradation appears on rod surfaces.
