Non Consumable Vacuum Arc Furnace for Refractory Metal Melting and Bulk Amorphous Material Research

Product Overview

This system is a non-consumable vacuum arc melting furnace engineered for high-temperature processing of advanced materials under inert or high-vacuum conditions. It delivers arc plasma temperatures exceeding 3500°C, enabling the melting of refractory metals that are notoriously difficult to process. With its integrated multi-station crucible, suction casting, and vacuum capabilities, it provides a complete platform for metallurgical research and small-batch production.

Primary use cases include universities, materials science institutes, and industrial R&D centers developing new alloys, amorphous materials, and high-purity metals. Typical applications span from synthesizing high-entropy alloys to preparing tensile test samples via suction casting. The furnace's flexible configuration supports a wide range of sample forms—powders, chips, wires, granules—and allows for rapid iteration, making it an indispensable tool for advanced materials innovation.

Engineered for reliability, this furnace features heavy-duty water-cooled components, industrial-grade vacuum seals, and a precision PLC control system. Its side-door design simplifies loading and unloading, while the large observation window provides real-time monitoring. Every aspect is hardened for consistent performance in demanding laboratory environments, ensuring reproducible results run after run.

Key Features

• Ultra-High Temperature Arc Plasma: The tungsten electrode generates an arc with temperatures exceeding 3500°C, sufficient to melt virtually any metal. This capability makes it ideal for refractory metals like tungsten, tantalum, and molybdenum, as well as ultra-high-temperature ceramics.
• Large-Diameter Observation Window: A wide-area viewport allows clear, real-time visualization of the melt pool, electrode position, and sample state during operation. This enhances process control and safety, letting operators adjust parameters on the fly.
• Multi-Position Crucible with Flip and Stirring: The furnace includes 1 to 5 hemispherical melting pockets (ø70×30 mm, 130–250 g capacity). One station incorporates electromagnetic stirring for homogeneous alloying, while a manual flip handle enables sample rotation or transfer without disturbing the atmosphere—critical for multi-step melting sequences.
• Integrated Suction Casting Module: A dedicated graphite mold system with sliding fit allows quick casting of tensile specimens, rods, or other small parts directly from the melt. Sample weight ranges from 30 to 100 g, ideal for producing test coupons for mechanical characterization.
• Configurable High-Vacuum System: Choose from direct-drive pump alone or combined with a diffusion or molecular pump to achieve ultimate vacuum levels down to ≤5.0×10⁻⁴ Pa. This minimizes oxygen and nitrogen contamination, preserving material purity.
• Flexible Sample Input Forms: Accepts powders, wires, chips, drillings, granules, bars, rings, and even irregular scrap. This versatility reduces sample preparation time and accommodates diverse research workflows.
• Rapid Melting Cycle Time: Most metallic materials can be completely melted within one minute, thanks to the high-density arc and efficient crucible cooling. This high throughput accelerates experimental campaigns.
• Ergonomic Side-Loading Chamber: Unlike top-loading designs, the side-door opening provides easy access for loading and unloading, especially for heavy or awkward samples. The door includes its own observation window for convenient monitoring during loading.
• Precision PLC Touchscreen Control: All parameters—current, vacuum, stirring, and sequence—are controlled via a user-friendly touchscreen interface with PLC logic. Data logging and recipe storage enable consistent repeatability and simplified operation.
• Non-Consumable Electrode System: The arc cathode uses a durable tungsten tip that does not need frequent replacement, reducing operating costs and downtime. The electrode height is electrically adjustable for optimal arc gap control.

Applications

Technical Specifications

Why Choose This Product

• Uncompromising High-Temperature Performance: The arc furnace's ability to consistently reach >3500°C with stable current control enables research on materials that conventional resistive or induction furnaces cannot melt. Our design ensures uniform heating and rapid melt times, reducing oxidation risk and improving ingot homogeneity.
• Robust and Adaptable Platform: With configurable vacuum systems, multiple crucible geometries, and optional suction casting or tilt casting, this unit adapts to a wide range of experimental protocols. We also offer custom engineering for specialized applications, from unique crucible shapes to additional glovebox integration.
• Proven Reliability in Demanding Labs: Over a decade of field use in top research institutions worldwide validates the durability of our water-cooled copper crucibles, high-quality vacuum seals, and industrial PLC controls. The system is designed for 24/7 operation with minimal downtime.
• Simplified Operation and Data Management: The intuitive touchscreen interface and PLC programming allow operators to save and recall recipes, log process data, and monitor vacuum and current trends. This reduces training time and ensures experimental reproducibility.
• Comprehensive Service and Support: From installation and commissioning to ongoing technical consultation, our experienced engineers provide timely assistance. We offer preventative maintenance contracts, spare parts packages, and rapid response to keep your research moving forward.

Contact us today to discuss your specific melting requirements or request a custom configuration for your advanced material research.