Routine maintenance of tube furnace

‌In the fields of physics, batteries, metals, and other research areas, most researchers use tube furnaces at 1200 degrees, 1500 degrees, and 1700 degrees in the laboratory to perform heat treatment, annealing, quenching, and other processes on research samples. So how to extend the working life of the tube furnace as much as possible is what most researchers need to know. We can achieve the following points to make the working life of the tube furnace as long as possible.

I. Furnace Chamber and Surface Cleaning‌

00001. ‌Residue Removal‌:

· Clear debris and oxides inside the furnace chamber after each use with a soft brush or air pump4.

· Perform a deep vacuum cleaning of the ‌corundum furnace tube‌ before the first weekly operation4[7]^.

00002. ‌External Cleaning‌:

· Wipe the furnace body and control panel regularly with a damp cloth to prevent dust accumulation and overheating46.

00003. ‌Sealing Components Check‌:

· Inspect flange joints, insulation plugs, and sealing gaskets for integrity after cleaning. Replace damaged parts immediately67.

‌II. Critical Component Inspection‌

00001. ‌Heating Elements‌:

· Check connections of resistance wires or graphite elements monthly. Remove carbon deposits or oxide layers16.

· Replace elements if cracks, fractures, or deformities are observed1.

00002. ‌Electrical System‌:

· Verify tightness of power cables and controller terminals weekly to prevent oxidation or loosening23.

· Test ‌thermocouple disconnection protection‌: Loosen one end of the thermocouple to confirm alarm activation36.

00003. ‌Gas/Vacuum System‌:

· Check gas path seals using soap water (mandatory for hydrogen applications)7.

· Maintain vacuum pump oil above the marked level; replace if cloudy7.

‌III. Temperature Control Calibration‌

00001. ‌Controller Calibration‌:

· Compare displayed temperatures with a standard thermometer quarterly. Adjust parameters if deviations exceed ±5℃12.

00002. ‌Thermocouple Maintenance‌:

· Ensure proper insertion depth and secure connections of compensation wires to avoid measurement errors36.

‌IV. Environmental and Operational Standards‌

00001. ‌Ambient Conditions‌:

· Operate in a dry, ventilated area (relative humidity ≤85%) away from corrosive gases23.

00002. ‌Temperature Management‌:

· Avoid exceeding rated temperatures. Recommended ramp rates: ≤10℃/min (heating) and ≤15℃/min (cooling)67.

00003. ‌Safety Protocols‌:

· Never open the furnace door above 200℃. Allow cooling to <200℃ before handling materials26.

‌V. Maintenance Records‌

· Document cleaning actions, calibration data, and anomalies in a ‌daily log‌4.

· Track replacement timelines for consumables (e.g., heating elements, sealing rings)14.

‌Additional Notes‌:

· For initial use or after prolonged downtime, perform a ‌baking process‌ (200℃→600℃→800℃ with timed stages)8.

· Hydrogen applications require strict leak checks and pre-purge protocols before ignition4.

This procedure integrates best practices from multiple sources to ensure operational safety and longevity. For specialized maintenance (e.g., refractory layer replacement), consult the manufacturer’s manual5.