How to solve problems that arise during the use of vacuum ceramic fiber chamber sintering furnace?

Vacuum sintering furnaces are key equipment for preparing ceramic and alloy materials, and their stable operation directly determines product quality. Brother Furnace offers a variety of vacuum sintering furnace models.

In addition to vacuum sinter furnaces for ceramic fiber heat fields, we also offer a range of vacuum atmosphere sintering furnaces, vacuum debinding and sintering furnaces, vacuum graphite furnaces, vacuum tungsten furnaces, and vacuum hot pressing furnaces, as well as other vacuum sinter equipment, to meet various process requirements.

During the use of the vacuum sintering furnace, various phenomena and problems will arise that require our attention.

Let us take the vacuum sintering furnace (ceramic fiber thermal field) as an example to learn about it.

1. Vacuum sintering furnace (ceramic fiber thermal field) temperature control system problems

The temperature control system is the core of the vacuum sintering furnace to achieve precise thermal field control. Once there is a deviation in the coordination between the PLC and the heating element, it will directly lead to process failure.

1.1 Abnormal linkage between the diffusion pump and the PLC in the vacuum sinter equipment.

Problem: The PLC program is abnormal, and the diffusion pump does not stop when the temperature drops to the specified value.

Solution: Strictly inspect the PLC logic according to the test procedure and verify the accuracy of the program instructions through simulated operating conditions.

1.2 Uncontrolled automatic temperature rise in the vacuum sintering furnace

Problem: Contamination from the customer's product caused uneven heating of the silicon-molybdenum rods, resulting in uncontrolled automatic temperature rise to 800°C.

Solution: Pre-treat the raw materials before sintering, such as pre-heating to remove impurities, and regularly clean deposits from the heating element surface.

2. Problems with the chamber of the ceramic fiber vacuum sintering furnace

The ceramic fiber chamber is the physical carrier of the thermal field. Its thermal shock resistance and corrosion resistance directly determine the thermal field uniformity of the vacuum sintering furnace.

2.1 Vacuum Sintering Furnace Side Wall Delamination and Cracking

Problem: Volatiles in the customer's materials are corrosive, eroding the ceramic fiber structure over time, leading to extensive side wall delamination and cracking.

Solution: Communicate thoroughly with the customer before sales regarding the material composition to confirm the presence of corrosive volatiles.

2.2 Vacuum Sintering Furnace Chamber Bulging

Problem: The ceramic fiber chamber lacks strength at high temperatures, leading to bulging.

Solution: Select ceramic fiber products with high density and high compressive strength; optimize the chamber structure designs.

3. Problems with the gas circuit operation of the vacuum sintering furnace

When the vacuum sintering furnace is operating normally, the sealing of the gas circuit and the unobstructedness of the water circuit are the basic guarantees for the stability of the equipment.

3.1 vacuum ceramic fiber chamber sintering furnace gas line leak

Problem: Bellows cracking

Solution: Switch to vertical installation and select a bellows material that is fatigue-resistant and highly flexible.

3.2 vacuum ceramic fiber chamber sintering furnace water pipe blockage

Problem: Rust and welding slag were not adequately removed from the vacuum tank body before welding.

Solution: Finely polish the tank body and water pipe surfaces before welding, and clean the welding slag again after welding.

4. Vacuum sintering furnace accessories system problems

The accessories of vacuum sintering equipment are complex, and the status of accessories such as vacuum pumps and valves will directly affect the vacuum degree and operating life of the equipment.

4.1 Turbid vacuum pump oil and insufficient vacuum in the vacuum sintering furnace

Problem: After changing the mechanical pump oil, the oil quickly becomes turbid.

Solution: Install a filter canister on the front end of the vacuum pump; regularly replace the oil with a specialized, highly contaminant-resistant vacuum pump oil.

4.2 The vacuum pump in the vacuum sintering furnace is malfunctioning.

Problem: Abnormal noise from the mechanical pump, insufficient vacuum; fracture of the diffusion pump valve disc.

Solution: Regularly replace the vacuum pump oil and inspect the pump seals. Replace the valve disc and ensure accurate installation.

5. Vacuum sintering furnace heating elements and thermocouple issues

The status of the heating element and thermocouple directly determines the accuracy of the "perception" and "output" of the thermal field.

5.1 Silicon-molybdenum rod joint disconnection

Problem: Insecure welding leads to disconnected silicon-molybdenum rod joints.

Solution: When power is first applied, keep the furnace door open and inspect the silicon-molybdenum rod for localized red spots. Use high-temperature-resistant welding materials.

5.2 vacuum ceramic fiber chamber sintering furnace thermocouple failure

Problem: The Thermocouple is broken, deformed, or the base is burned.

Solution: Select thermocouple materials that are resistant to high temperatures and thermal shock, such as platinum-rhodium thermocouples, and regularly inspect their condition.

If you are engaged in the material sintering processing industry, for the use of vacuum sinter furnaces, stable operation of the equipment must be the core prerequisite for ensuring production efficiency and product quality.

If you are interested in our ceramic fiber heat field vacuum sintering furnace, please view more details.

You can also learn about our other heat field vacuum sintering equipment, such as the vacuum atmosphere sintering furnace that also uses a ceramic fiber heat field but can be filled with atmosphere; the vacuum graphite furnace and vacuum graphite carbon tube furnace that use graphite as the heating element; the vacuum tungsten furnace that uses tungsten mesh heating, etc.