VMC-1200 High Vacuum Melting-Casting Furnace with Stirring and Secondary Charge
The VMC-1200 furnace is engineered for precise melting and casting of various metal alloys, particularly light metals such as lithium, aluminum, and magnesium alloys, under controlled high vacuum environments. It supports alloy preparation tasks requiring temperatures up to 1200ºC and can handle sample sizes up to approximately 1000 grams of iron-equivalent mass. This capability makes it suitable for research and development in thermal electronics alloys and phase transformation energy storage materials.
This system integrates a mechanical stirring mechanism to ensure homogeneous alloying during melting. Additionally, it features a secondary charge feeder that allows the introduction of up to three types of volatile dopants directly into the crucible under vacuum conditions, enhancing alloy customization. The furnace chamber is constructed from stainless steel with multiple vacuum ports and a quartz observation window, facilitating monitoring and connection to turbopumps and vacuum gauges.
Key Features
- Maximum operating temperature of 1200ºC with NiCrAl resistance coil heater.
- Vacuum chamber inner dimensions: 315 mm diameter × 315 mm height, with multiple KF and ISO-K ports for vacuum system integration.
- Mechanical stirring for uniform alloy mixing and secondary material feeder for volatile dopant addition during melting.
- Programmable 30-segment temperature controller with PID, autotune, and overheating protection, achieving ±1ºC temperature accuracy.
- Capacitance diaphragm pressure gauge with ceramic-coated sensor for wide vacuum range measurement (3E-5 to 1013 torr).
- Supports vacuum levels down to 10E-2 torr with mechanical pump and up to 1E-6 torr with turbopump options.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum Temperature | 1200ºC |
| Power Supply | 208 – 240 VAC, Single phase |
| Power Consumption | Max. 3500 W |
| Vacuum Chamber Material | Stainless Steel |
| Vacuum Chamber Inner Dimensions | Ø315 mm × 315 mm H |
| Observation Window | Ø120 mm Quartz |
| Crucibles Included | Two Graphite (Ø47×88 mm & Ø75×105 mm) |
| Crucible Working Volume | ~70 ml and ~250 ml |
| Temperature Controller | 30-segment programmable, PID, Autotune, ±1ºC accuracy |
| Pressure Gauge | Capacitance Diaphragm with ceramic sensor, 3E-5 to 1013 torr range |
| Vacuum Capability | 10E-2 torr (mechanical pump), 2E-5 to 1E-6 torr (turbopump options) |
| Max Positive Pressure | 2 bar inert gas |
Typical Applications
Ideal for research and development of light metal alloys including lithium-based electrodes, aluminum, and magnesium alloys. Suitable for thermal electronics materials and phase transformation energy storage alloy preparation. Also applicable for experimental alloying involving volatile dopants under vacuum.
Configuration & Operating Notes
The furnace includes two graphite crucibles and a secondary charge feeder for dopant addition. Optional boron nitride liners and copper casting molds are available separately. The vacuum system ports support integration with mechanical and turbomolecular pumps (sold separately). Safety precautions should be observed when handling high temperatures and vacuum conditions.
