How To Choose A Tube Furnace for your laboratory
1. Know your application
Single Zone vs Multi-Zone: Multi-zone furnaces have multiple independently-controlled, constant-temperature zones, which allows controlled temperature gradient or a longer heating zone
Horizontal (standard) vs Vertical: Vertical tube furnace provides smaller footprint and can be used for fast heating / quenching process
RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing): Slideable sample holder or furnace for maximum heating / cooling rate
Rotary Tube Furnace: Tube is rotated during heating for better powder processing / coating uniformity
Gas Processing Capability: Special models for Hydrogen gas processing and high-temperature corrosion research are available
Multi-Function: Tube furnace based complete systems, such as CVD, PECVD, HPCVD, ALD, Graphene & 2D material growth system, are available
2. Certifications for tube furnace
All NBD's furnaces are assembled and quality controlled in China and CE certified
3. Choose working temperature
Please note there are maximum temperature (can be maintained < 1 hr) and continuous working temperature (safe, continuous use temperature)
The maximum working temperature depends on the heating element used, and can be divided into three categories:
a. Working temp: ≤ 1150 °C Max temp:1200℃ alloy heating element K type thermocouple
b. Working temp: ≤ 1450 °C Max temp:1500℃ SiC heating element S type thermocouple
c. Working temp: ≤ 1650 °C Max temp:1700℃ MoSi2 heatin element B type thermocouple
b. Working temp: ≤ 1450 °C Max temp:1500℃ SiC heating element S type thermocouple
c. Working temp: ≤ 1650 °C Max temp:1700℃ MoSi2 heatin element B type thermocouple
Select the processing tube corresponding to the furnace max temperature:
a. Quartz tube: ≤ 1200 °C in 1 atm; ≤ 1000 °C under vacuum
b. Alumina tube: ≤ 1800 °C in 1 atm; ≤ 1500 °C under vacuum
b. Alumina tube: ≤ 1800 °C in 1 atm; ≤ 1500 °C under vacuum
Select the crucible corresponding to the furnace max temperature:
4. Choose heating zone length based on your sample
Please note there are total heating zone length (length covered by heating element) and constant temperature zone length (center zone with less than +/- 1 °C variation). Constant temperature zone is always shorter than the total heating zone. Please choose a tube furnace with a constant temperature zone longer than your sample for uniform heating
5. Choose the tube size (inner diameter) and crucible size based on your sample
Please choose the corresponding tube size and crucible size based on the sample volume
6. Choose input voltage
Choose between 110 VAC and 220 VAC depending on the country or region
7. Choose a vacuum pump
Select mechanical pump for vacuum up to 1.0E-2 Torr; select turbomolecular pump for vacuum up to 1.0E-5 Torr. To minimize oil particle contamination, oil-less pump (vacuum up to 1.0E-2 Torr) can be used to replace mechanical pump
8. Customize your furnace by choosing from various furnace accessories provided by NBD
9. If any question on configuring your tube furnace, please contact NBD technical support to discuss your application needs
