Background

We always wanted to buy one of these, but nobody made them. Now for the first time, a 1700°C Lab Furnace that can simply be plugged into a standard 110 Volt, 20 Amp outlet without the need for either a 220 V supply or an electrician is available from Zircar Zirconia. This breakthrough frontloading box furnace is made possible by a unique combination of zirconia and alumina insulation, which exploits the hot strength of alumina and low thermal conductivity of zirconia. The zirconia insulation incorporated in the Hot Spot 110 has the lowest thermal conductivity of any commercially available high temperature insulation. The alumina insulation is a newly developed, state of the art, material with exceptional hot strength. The furnace insulation package is a four layer, graded design that ensures the proper heat flow through each layer for maximum life.

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace
Features of the Zircar 1700°C Hotspot Furnaces

· Two models: 110 Volts or 220 Volts

· In- stock standard item

· Programmable temperature controller holds 2 programs of up to 8 steps each

· Space saving compact design

· Separate overtemperature protection

· Low energy consumption

· Kanthal 1800 grade heating elements

· Pre-fired and pre-programmed

· Optional datalogger offered

· Unique combination of Zircar insulations

· Fan cooled shell & door safety interlock

The furnace has a one year warranty for all components except the heating elements.
Versatility of Design

This compact unit easily fits just about anywhere in the laboratory and does not require any special setting surface. The standard cooling fan feature keeps the furnace shell cool enough to protect the user from any potential burn, even at 1700°C.

Our 220 Volt model is supplied with a power supply cord suitable for local configurations.
Furnace Datalogging

The furnace is available with an optional optional datalogger to link the furnace to your computer and record the temperature history in real time and later save the firing curve as an Excel file.
Design Features
Construction

The outer shell of the HOT SPOT 110 is powder coated heavy gauge steel while the inner shell and face plate are stainless steel.

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Construction of the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Construction of the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace
Heating Elements

The furnace is heated by four Kanthal brand 1800 Celsius grade molybdenum disilicide heating elements, which are connected to the power supply by oversized aluminum braids to assure reliable service. The furnace comes standard with a dual element type B thermocouple. One thermocouple is connected to the programmable temperature controller, while the other goes to the overtemperature controller. The furnace is available with an optional extra thermocouple for direct connection to a remote chart recorder.

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Kanthal molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) heating elements of the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace
Kiln Furniture

A shelf system which can double the firing capacity for small parts is available and shown below left. An optional sintering tray is also offered, shown below right with its lid.

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Kiln furniture of the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace
Door Construction and Design

The door hinges upward on an articulating mechanism that assures correct door seal alignment minimizing heat loss around the door seal and saving table space. An automatic latch holds the door open while loading and unloading. A door safety switch disengages power to the elements when the door is open to prevent accidental contact with live elements. The door remains cool because it is constructed without dense ceramic reinforcements, which would draw heat from the hot face out to the shell. Our door insulation design isolates the hot face insulation from the cold face insulation.

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Door Construction and Design of the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Door Construction and Design of the zircar zirconia 1700C hotspot furnace
Specifications

Specifications




Maximum continuous use temperature


1700°C

Chamber size


5” wide x 4” high x 5” deep

Working size (ware space)


3.5” wide x 4” high x 3.5” deep

Overall size (door closed)


20” wide x 16.5” deep x 16” high

Overall size (door open)


20” wide x 19” deep x 27” high

Weight (standard model)


108 pounds

Thermocouple


Dual element type B (Pt6%Rh vs. Pt30%Rh)

Molybdenum disilicide elements


4 x Kanthal 1800 grade. 3mm/6mm diameters

Power supply requirement for 110V model


110V, 20A, 60Hz standard US duplex outlet

Power supply requirement for 220V model


220V, 10A, 50-60Hz configurable power cord

Element current at 1700°C soak


40 Amps AC at 5.5 volts

Transient peak current surge on start up


40 Amps AC at 110 volts

Power line consumption at 1700°C soak


935 Watts
Performance – Heat up Rates

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites - Performance – Heat up Rates for the Zircar Ziconia hotspot furnace