The Centorr Series 50 High Temperature High Vacuum and/or Controlled Atmosphere, Front Loading, Cold Wall Furnace is simple, easy to operate and essentially trouble free. This furnace consists of a double walled, all stainless steel, water-jacketed, horizontal chamber, inside of which is a rectangular heat zone. The heat zone is resistance heated. Heat shields consist of concentric layers of metallic sheets. Heating elements and heating shields are easily accessible for inspection and maintenance.

The entire inside of the vacuum chamber is designed to conform to the best high vacuum practices with particular attention given to surface finishes and choice of construction materials. A Centorr "proprietary" sight port is provided for visual observation of the specimen and for optical pyrometric monitoring. Ports are also provided for thermocouples, gauges, inert gas and other pertinent instrumentation. Loading is done through the full opening the front door. The door is hinged by means of a double-pin hinge to prevent scuffing of "O" ring gasket. Clamps are provided for operation to slightly positive pressure.

The furnace may be mounted on top of a cabinet or on an open steel frame with the vacuum pumping system located immediately beneath the furnace chamber for maximum efficiency. Furnace may be completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled in only a few hours.

With proper choice of heat zone material, etc. this furnace may operate in vacuum, inert gas, nitrogen, and reducing or oxidizing atmospheres.

All controls and instrumentation are front panel mounted in a console providing ease of visual monitoring and control. Power input is controlled by silicon controlled rectifiers. Complete system and operating protection are provided by proper sequence and water-flow interlocks.

Furnaces are available with and without vacuum pumping system, inert gas kit, power supply, temperature control instrumentation, cabinet, forced gas circulation fan, H2 burn-off, ignitor and blow-off port, etc. Furnaces may be used within glove boxes or hot cells.

The unit is ready to operate as soon as power is connected to the main circuit breaker and water and drain connections are made. The furnace is completely assembled and thoroughly tested prior to shipment; a record of these tests accompanies shipment.