A high temperature graphitizing furnace for laboratory use

Abstract

The work on the design and development of special high temperature furnaces to meet the specialised research needs in National Metallurgical Laboratory has been taken up. In this paper-detailed construction of a high temperature graphite resistance furnace has been described. Theoretical design considerations and practical power characteristics of this furnace have been discussed. The temperature of the furnace can be rapidly raised upto 3,000°C and a uniform hot zone of about 50-60% can be obtained. The structure of the furnace is so designed that the accessibility of the heating element is easy for replacement. A furnace to attain a temperature upto 3,000°C and to hold within ± 20°C of any desired temperature within this region for several hours is essential to study the characteristics of refractory materials at high temperature above 2000°C. To meet this demand design and fabrication of one such furnace was undertaken at the National Metallurgical Laboratory. (Mr. H. Singh, Scientist, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur and Dr. B.R. Nijhawan, formerly Director, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, present address: Inter-Regional Senior Adviser to the United Nations at New York)