Key Features of a Benchtop and Split Tube Furnace

4 min read
14 November 2023

A Benchtop Furnace heats material without direct contact between the heated sample and the flame. Benchtop furnaces are used in labs for sample testing and thermal processing in a clean environment. It is an ideal material annealing and sintering tool in the research laboratory. When buying a benchtop furnace, look for the interface options, temperature range, and capacity.

A tube furnace is a heating device to heat materials to high temperatures. These furnaces are smaller and more compact because they are designed to heat materials as they pass through a long, cylindrical tube. 

There are two types of tube furnaces: solid tube furnaces and split tube furnaces. One can open a Split Tube Furnace to install and quickly remove work tubes and reaction vessels. One can use the split-tube furnaces both horizontally and vertically. The benefit of the design of a split tube furnace is its flexibility; one can use the same split tube furnace with various tube diameters.

Let us delve deeper to learn more about benchtop and split tube furnaces.

Primary Features of a Benchtop Furnace

Benchtop furnaces offer simplicity in usage and maintenance, making them suitable for various thermal processing applications. Benchtop Furnace provides a small-footprint, lightweight unit with simple one-touch control via an HMI touchscreen display.

Here are Some of the Primary Features of a Benchtop Furnace:

  • Operation Temperature up to 1600°C or 1700°
  • Maximum energy efficiency
  • Heavy-duty double-layer structure with cooling fan
  • PID automatic control
  • Programmable power control with 30 or 50 segments
  • Simple & safe operation with complete protection interlocks
  • Ideal for Universities or Inexperienced operators
  • A manual pressure and gas flow rate regulator with an automatic overpressure release valve

Reasons to Use a Benchtop Furnace

There are three different types of benchtop furnaces: front-load benchtop furnaces, bottom-load benchtop furnaces, and top-hat benchtop furnaces. In addition to being simple to use and maintain, the furnaces can be used for various types of thermal processing. One can operate the Front-load furnaces at temperatures between 1500 and 1800°C and use them in air and inert atmospheres. The bottom-load benchtop furnaces can run up to 1800°C and offer increased uniformity over front-load furnaces. The Top-hat benchtop furnaces provide uniform heating due to their four-sided design. These furnaces are well-suited for processes in which stability is essential.

Primary Features of a Split Tube Furnace

Using Split-tube furnaces, objects can be heated even with things of a complex geometry that do not fit through a smooth tube. Today, Manufacturers offer split tube furnaces with various heaters, chamber sizes, and mounting options. These furnaces are applicable in multiple fields, including materials research, chemical synthesis, heat treatment, research and development, annealing and growth of crystals, and environmental testing.

 Here are Some of the Primary Features of a Split Tube Furnace:

  • It has a compact, lightweight, and space-saving design.
  • It is an excellent choice to begin thermal processing in a laboratory environment.
  • It allows for easy process tube changes and the simple installation of process tubes with end seals attached.
  • It has excellent temperature uniformity and a programmable control system. 
  • Low power consumption

 Reasons to Use a Split Tube Furnace

One of the significant benefits of a Split Tube Furnace is that it allows the easy installation and removal of work tubes and reaction vessels with ends and fittings. It would have been otherwise impossible for operators to do with a non-split tube furnace. Also, split-tube furnaces have single or multiple heating zones incorporating gradient heating. Today, manufacturers can design split-tube furnaces that meet customer requirements precisely.

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John Scott 2
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