What is the difference between a tube furnace and a muffle furnace? How to choose?
There are some differences between tube furnace and muffle furnace:
Tube furnace and muffle furnace**Difference**:
1. Structure and heating method
- Tube furnace: Its heating elements are usually around the furnace tube, and the sample in the furnace tube is heated by radiation. The furnace tube is generally placed horizontally or tilted at a certain angle.
- Muffle furnace: The heating elements are distributed around the furnace chamber, and the space in the furnace chamber is heated by radiation and convection.
2. Sample placement and processing
- Tube furnace: The sample is usually placed in a slender furnace tube, which is suitable for processing a small amount of slender shape or samples with specific requirements for the atmosphere.
- Muffle furnace: The sample is placed directly in the furnace chamber, which can accommodate larger volumes and a larger number of samples.
3. Temperature uniformity
- Tube furnace: There may be a certain temperature gradient along the direction of the furnace tube.
- Muffle furnace: The temperature uniformity in the furnace chamber is relatively good.
4. Atmosphere control
- Tube furnace: It is easier to achieve precise atmosphere control, and various gases can be introduced.
- Muffle furnace: Generally, atmosphere control is relatively difficult, and it is mostly used in air environment.
Tube furnace and muffle furnace**Selection method**:
1. Clear purpose
- Determine whether it is material synthesis, heat treatment, analysis and testing, etc., and choose the appropriate furnace type according to the specific purpose.
2. Temperature requirements
- Understand the required maximum operating temperature and temperature control accuracy to ensure that the selected furnace type can meet the requirements.
3. Sample characteristics
- Consider the shape, size, quantity and atmosphere requirements of the sample. If it is a slender sample or requires a specific atmosphere, a tube furnace may be more suitable; if the sample is large and has no special requirements for the atmosphere, a muffle furnace may be more practical.
4. Uniformity requirements
- For experiments with high requirements for temperature uniformity, a muffle furnace may be better; if it is not very sensitive to temperature changes along the tube direction, a tube furnace can also meet the requirements.
5. Budget
- The prices of tube furnaces and muffle furnaces of different types and configurations vary, so choose according to your budget.
6. Brand and after-sales service
- Give priority to well-known brands and understand the quality of the manufacturer's after-sales service, including installation and commissioning, training and maintenance.
KEJIA has 16+ years of experience in R&D, production and sales. The company is equipped with professional technicians to provide pre-sales, in-sales and after-sales needs. Sales staff can customize rotary tube furnaces with different configurations, styles and prices according to customer needs. We provide professional technical solutions to make you worry-free and provide one-stop service.
In short, when choosing a tube furnace or a muffle furnace, you should consider factors such as experimental requirements, budget, and brand to select the most suitable equipment.