When operating high-temperature sintering furnaces, follow these precautions to ensure safety and protect equipment:
- Using Hydrogen or Ammonia Decomposition Gas
- Always purge the furnace with nitrogen first. Only apply power and start heating once all air has been completely removed from the furnace to prevent sparking or explosions.
- Molybdenum Wire Heating Elements
- Before powering on, introduce a protective gas into the furnace to prevent molybdenum wire from oxidizing and becoming brittle.
- Furnace Door and Gas Outlet Safety
- Ignite flames at the door and gas exhaust outlet to burn off residual oxygen and hydrogen. This prevents explosion hazards and the risk of gas poisoning.
- Iron-Chromium-Aluminum (FeCrAl) Heating Elements
- When heating to 1100℃, pause for about 30 minutes before continuing to higher temperatures. This prevents the element’s surface from overheating and getting damaged.
- Monitoring During Heating
- Regularly check airflow, water circulation, and ensure that equipment and temperature control instruments are functioning properly during heating and operation.
- Shutdown Procedure
- Cut off the power first. Only stop gas and water supply after the furnace temperature drops below 200℃.
- Avoid Frequent Start-Stop Cycles
- Except for maintenance, avoid frequent furnace start-stop cycles. Doing so can accelerate heating element aging, damage refractory materials, create impure furnace atmospheres, and cause temperature fluctuations.