VOLTA FURNACE > Products > Vacuum Furnaces > Vacuum Tube Furnaces
HOW DOES A VACUUM TUBE FURNACE WORK?
A vacuum tube furnace is a type of hot wall vacuum furnace, where the tube’s external heating elements are exposed to the surrounding air. The maximum temperature inside the vacuum can vary, depending on the tube’s material and size. To create the vacuum, the ends of the work tube need to be fitted with vacuum flanges. Some vacuum tube furnaces, contingent upon their material and size, may require water cooling, while others can operate without it.
WHAT TYPE OF ATMOSPHERE IS POSSIBLE IN A VACUUM TUBE FURNACE?
Naturally, a vacuum can serve as the atmosphere for vacuum tube furnaces. The vacuum level may vary—rough, fine, high, or ultra-high—depending on the application. Moreover, a vacuum furnace allows the complete removal of the atmosphere, enabling work with various gases or mixtures such as Argon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Carbon Monoxide, and Helium. For non-metallic tubes, even corrosive gases like Ammonia or Silane become viable options.
WHEN IS A VACUUM TUBE FURNACE AND WHEN A VACUUM CHAMBER FURNACE REQUIRED?
The choice between a vacuum tube furnace and a cold wall vacuum chamber furnace hinges on the maximum size and temperature needed for your application. For vacuum temperatures of 1450°C, the tube’s inner diameter can’t exceed 88 mm. Please note that the work tube in this instance is a consumable with a finite lifespan and can only handle low temperature ramps. If your project requires larger sizes or higher temperatures, you’ll need to use a vacuum chamber furnace.