1650C Recirculating Steam Corrosion and Thermal Shock Testing Furnace with Integrated Water Vapor Generator and Automated Sample Delivery

Product Overview

This high-temperature testing system is engineered specifically for the rigorous evaluation of materials under extreme environmental conditions, combining high-heat thermal cycling with controlled steam corrosion. As a specialized solution for material science R&D, the equipment integrates a sophisticated water vapor generator with a high-precision tube furnace and an automated sample-delivery mechanism. This synergy allows researchers to simulate real-world degradation in turbine blades, environmental barrier coatings (EBCs), and ceramic matrix composites with unparalleled accuracy. By facilitating the observation of oxidation and moisture-induced stress simultaneously, the system provides a comprehensive window into the longevity and failure modes of next-generation industrial materials.

Designed for demanding laboratory and industrial research environments, this unit supports continuous operation at temperatures up to 1600°C, with peak capabilities reaching 1650°C for shorter durations. The engineering focus emphasizes the stability of the thermal environment and the consistency of steam delivery, ensuring that experimental results are repeatable and verifiable. This makes the system an essential tool for aerospace, power generation, and nuclear engineering sectors where material integrity at high temperatures is critical for safety and performance. Its robust construction is matched by a sophisticated software suite that automates complex testing protocols, reducing manual intervention and enhancing data reliability.

Reliability is at the core of this furnace's design. Utilizing premium silicon molybdenum heating elements and a specialized splicing structure for ceramic components, the equipment is built to withstand the unique challenges of high-moisture, high-heat environments. The inclusion of protective gas flows and noble metal steam delivery pipes ensures that the internal components remain shielded from premature degradation. Procurement teams and laboratory managers can rely on this system for long-term thermal shock programs, knowing that the precision PID controls and safety alarms will maintain operational parameters within strict tolerances throughout thousands of hours of testing.

Key Features

• Precision Steam Delivery via Platinum-Rhodium Alloy: The system utilizes a 3mm outer diameter platinum-rhodium alloy pipe for steam intake. This noble metal construction is critical for preventing oxidation and corrosion of the delivery line itself at extreme temperatures, ensuring that the water vapor introduced to the sample remains pure and the delivery system remains durable over extended test cycles.
• Automated Thermal Shock Cycling: Equipped with a dedicated sample-delivery mechanism, the furnace enables automated movement of materials into and out of the heating zone. Controlled via integrated software, users can customize temperature, dwell time, and the number of cycles, allowing for hands-off execution of complex thermal shock protocols that simulate rapid cooling and heating transients.
• Dual-Layer Ceramic Protection: The outside of the platinum tube and the primary alumina tube are protected by a continuous flow of protective gas. This design prevents the infiltration of ambient air and minimizes the interaction between the high-temperature steam and the heating elements, significantly extending the service life of the furnace internals.
• Advanced Vapor Containment and Anti-Cracking Design: This unit features a specialized alumina crucible and corundum tube splicing structure. This engineering approach prevents steam from spilling into the furnace insulation or heating chamber and allows for thermal expansion without cracking, which is a common failure point in standard high-temperature steam systems.
• High-Range Precision Monitoring: Sample temperature is measured using a high-accuracy B-type thermocouple. Unlike standard K or S types, the B-type thermocouple is optimized for stability at the 1600°C+ range, providing the precise feedback required for critical material degradation studies and coating assessments.
• Programmable PID Control with PC Integration: The digital temperature controller offers 30 programmable segments for sophisticated ramp, soak, and cool-down curves. With built-in PID auto-tune and a DB9 port for PC connection, researchers can remotely monitor and log data, ensuring full traceability of every thermal cycle and environmental exposure.
• Modular Maintenance Structure: The furnace is designed with an easy-access structure that facilitates the quick replacement of ceramic tubes and heating elements. This minimizes downtime in high-throughput research facilities and allows for easy cleaning and inspection of the vapor delivery path.
• Integrated Safety and Alarm Systems: The system includes built-in overheating and broken thermocouple protection. These automated safeguards, combined with the over-temperature alarm, allow the furnace to operate safely in unattended mode during long-duration endurance tests.

Applications

Technical Specifications

Why Choose TU-RT17

• Engineered for Extreme Environments: The combination of 1650°C capability and active steam injection makes this system one of the few platforms capable of simulating the most aggressive industrial environments. Every component, from the Pt-Rh intake to the B-type thermocouple, is selected for its ability to resist high-temperature moisture degradation.
• Precision and Repeatability: With a PID control system accurate to ±1°C and fully programmable software for thermal shock cycling, the system removes human error from complex testing procedures, ensuring that data collected over hundreds of cycles is consistent and scientifically valid.
• Robust Safety and Durability: The specialized splicing design for corundum tubes and the protective gas flow for noble metal components prevent common failures associated with steam-assisted heating, making this a long-term investment for high-utilization research labs.
• Turnkey Integrated Solution: Unlike modular setups that require custom integration, this system arrives as a complete package including the furnace, steam generator, sample delivery mechanism, and control software, ensuring immediate operational readiness.
• Comprehensive Support and Customization: THERMUNITS provides full technical support for setup and protocol development. We offer customization for vapor evaporation rates and gas flow to match specific research requirements, backed by our commitment to industrial-grade build quality.

Contact our technical sales team today to request a quotation or to discuss how we can customize this high-temperature steam corrosion system to meet your specific research objectives.