The furnace in a laboratory serves multiple crucial functions.
These tasks include drying, baking, and curing samples.
What is the function of the furnace in the laboratory? 7 Key Uses Explained
1. Drying
Drying is the process of removing moisture from a sample.
In the laboratory, a furnace can be used to dry samples by applying heat to the chamber.
This helps in evaporating the moisture.
Drying is often done to prepare samples for further analysis or testing.
2. Baking
Baking refers to heating a sample without dehumidification.
This process is used when specific temperature conditions need to be maintained for a certain period of time.
Baking can be done to remove volatile components from a sample or to induce certain chemical reactions.
3. Curing
Curing involves subjecting a sample to heat in order to chemically or physically alter it.
This is commonly used in the manufacturing industry for processes like polymerization, sintering, or annealing.
4. Gravity Convection
Laboratory furnaces can operate using either gravity convection or mechanical convection.
In gravity convection, warmer air displaces cooler air and directs it towards the heating element until the entire chamber reaches the desired temperature.
This method is known for having poor uniform heat distribution and longer preheat time.
5. Mechanical Convection
On the other hand, mechanical convection furnaces use blowers and baffles in the chamber to heat it quicker and more evenly.
6. Size Considerations
The size of the laboratory furnace is an important consideration.
It should be able to accommodate the spatial needs of the samples being heated.
There are different types of laboratory furnaces available, including benchtop, cabinet, and walk-in furnaces, with benchtop being the smallest and walk-in being the largest.
7. Atmosphere and Aesthetics
Other factors to consider when choosing a laboratory furnace include aesthetics, such as the color and material of the furnace, and the atmosphere within the furnace chamber.
The atmosphere can be filled with various gases like argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, nitrogen, or oxygen, depending on the specific heat treatment requirements.
Continue exploring, consult our experts
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