VBF-1100X-Q Fast Heating and Quenching Vacuum Sealed Furnace with 2″ I.D. for Air-Sensitive Material Heat Treatment up to 1100°C
The VBF-1100X-Q furnace is engineered to address the challenges of heat treating air-sensitive materials, such as LPS powders, that require precise atmosphere control and rapid thermal cycling. Samples are sealed inside a 2-inch inner diameter quartz tube under vacuum or inert gas, then inserted into the furnace for fast heating. This process ensures minimal exposure to ambient air, preserving material integrity during thermal treatment.
After reaching the target temperature—up to 1100°C continuously or 1200°C for short durations—the system automatically lifts the heated tube and rotates it 90 degrees to immerse it into a water tank for rapid quenching. This automated sequence enables consistent and reproducible thermal profiles critical for research and development of sensitive materials.
Key Features
- Fast heating rate of approximately 10°C per second for rapid thermal processing.
- Vacuum-sealed quartz tube with 2″ inner diameter for air-sensitive sample containment.
- Programmable touchscreen control panel with temperature ramp, hold, and cooling profiles.
- Automatic tube lifting, rotation, and quenching in a water tank for controlled rapid cooling.
- RS485 communication port for PC-based operation and monitoring.
- Heating element composed of Ni-Cr-Al resistance wire with fibrous alumina insulation for uniform temperature distribution.
- Vacuum flange with KF25 port, valves for gas inlet/outlet, and quartz thermal block included.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | VBF-1100X-Q |
| Inner Diameter of Quartz Tube | 2″ (50 mm O.D. x 44 mm I.D.) |
| Maximum Continuous Temperature | 1100°C |
| Maximum Short-Term Temperature | 1200°C (less than 30 minutes) |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±2°C |
| Heating Rate | ~10°C/s |
| Power Supply | Single-phase 110-120 VAC, 50/60 Hz, max 1500 W |
| Heating Element | Ni-Cr-Al resistance wire with fibrous alumina insulation |
| Vacuum Level | 10⁻⁶ torr (turbopump), 10⁻³ torr (rotary pump), 10⁻⁵ torr (turbopump alternative) |
| Control Interface | Touchscreen panel with programmable temperature and tube handling; RS485 port for PC control |
| Quenching Method | Automatic tube lifting, 90° rotation, and immersion into water tank |
Typical Applications
This furnace is ideal for heat treatment and rapid quenching of air-sensitive powders and materials, such as lithium phosphorus sulfide (LPS) powders, under vacuum or inert atmospheres. It supports research in battery materials, solid-state electrolytes, and other sensitive compounds requiring controlled atmosphere thermal processing.
Configuration and Operating Notes
The system requires an external air compressor to operate the lifting and rotation mechanism of the tube fixture. Optional accessories include a recirculating water chiller to maintain quench water temperature below 10°C and a high-throughput furnace variant supporting up to six tubes for increased sample processing capacity. Users must install a compatible power plug as the supplied cable does not include one. Safety precautions should be observed when handling hot tubes and quenching operations.
