Electric Furnaces
An electric furnace is an enclosed structure that uses electricity as a heat source to produce high temperatures for industrial purposes. These furnaces can be made with several kinds of heat resistant (refractory) elements in order to withstand long term use. The enclosed space holds the materials, gas, or air being heated until the desired temperature is reached.
Electric furnaces can come with numerous temperature control options or be set for a single temperature, depending on the process for which the furnace will be used. Electric furnaces commonly have one of the following atmospheres: air or oxidizing, inert, reducing, salt bath, or vacuum. They also come in three-zone or multi-zone varieties. Over-temperature protection, service or entry holes, view ports, computer interface, and application software are other optional features available for electric furnaces.
Important factors to consider when selecting an electric furnace are pressure
range, process temperature, chamber length, and the height, width, or tube
outer diameter of the furnace. Pressure range is the range of pressure the
furnace can run on, while the process temperature represents the range of temperatures
that the furnace can handle. The length of the chamber is the length of the
furnace itself. Height and width refer to internal measurements of the furnace.
Tube outer diameter is another measurement that affects the performance of
tube furnaces, a particular variety of electric furnaces.