| A 1,200�C, three zone horizontal tube furnace from Elite Thermal Systems, UK, is providing big benefits at the Swinden Technology Centre of Corus UK, where it is being used in the development of new grades of steel wire and rod and for simulation of manufacturing processes. Previously, two tube furnaces of different manufacture were used for this research, but concerns about temperature uniformity over the heated length had on occasion necessitated repeat tests.
The new Elite 50mm bore three-zone tube furnace has a maximum temperature of 1,200�C and a heated zone of 610mm. Each zone is independently controlled by its own thermocouple and PID controller and has a number of features which make it ideal for this type of work. Graded low thermal mass insulation provides rapid response times and optimum thermal efficiency and an outer mesh case cover promotes natural air-cooling for maximum operator safety. �We were delighted with the new Elite furnace�, commented Mr Peter Brownlow, senior research assistant Corus UK. �It is more accurate, responsive and can easily handle all our work. We required a temperature uniformity of better than �5�C along the entire heated length but in fact it is much tighter than this�, added Mr Brownlow
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