When selecting a small rotary tube furnace for laboratory use, multiple aspects need to be considered. Let's take a detailed look below!

A commonly used high-temperature experimental rotary tube furnace (click on the image to view product details)

Temperature parameters
Maximum temperature: Select equipment based on the maximum temperature required for the experiment, ensuring that the maximum temperature of the rotary tube furnace meets the experimental requirements and has a certain safety margin. For example, if the experiment needs to be conducted at around 1000 ℃, it is more appropriate to choose a tube furnace with a maximum temperature of 1200 ℃ or higher to avoid the equipment running at extreme temperatures for a long time, which may affect its service life and performance.
Temperature control accuracy: For some experiments that require precise temperature, such as precise heat treatment of materials, control of specific chemical reactions, etc., it is necessary to choose a rotary tube furnace with high temperature control accuracy. Generally, the temperature control accuracy should reach ± 1 ℃ or higher.
Temperature uniformity: A uniform temperature distribution is important for ensuring the consistency of experimental results. Especially during experiments such as material coating and sintering, uneven temperature may lead to issues such as inconsistent film thickness and uneven material properties. You can refer to the equipment manual for the indicators of temperature uniformity in the heating zone. It is usually ideal to achieve temperature uniformity within ± 5 ℃ in the central area of the heating zone.

Furnace tube size and rotation performance
Furnace tube diameter and length: Choose the appropriate furnace tube size based on the size and quantity of the experimental samples. If larger samples need to be processed or batch experiments need to be conducted, it is necessary to choose furnace tubes with larger diameters and lengths; But for some small samples or laboratories with high space requirements, smaller furnace tubes may be more suitable. For example, for samples with a diameter of 10-20mm, it is more appropriate to choose furnace tubes with an inner diameter of 30-50mm, which can ensure stable sample placement and sufficient space for gas circulation.
Rotation speed: The rotation speed of the rotary tube furnace needs to be selected according to experimental requirements. Different experiments may require different rotational speeds to achieve uniform coating, mixing of reactants, or promoting heat transfer. Generally speaking, a rotation speed within the range of 0-20 revolutions per minute can meet most experimental needs, and it is best to have a continuously adjustable function for precise adjustment according to specific experiments.
Rotation stability: Stable rotation is crucial for ensuring the reproducibility of experimental results and uniform processing of samples. When selecting, one can understand the quality and stability of the rotating drive system of the equipment, as well as whether there are devices to prevent furnace tube shaking or eccentricity.

Gas control
Gas type: Determine the type of gas required for the experiment and select a rotary tube furnace that is compatible with these gases. Some common gases such as nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, oxygen, etc. have different requirements for furnace tube materials and sealing performance. For example, hydrogen gas is flammable and explosive, and it is necessary to choose a tube furnace with good sealing and explosion-proof performance. Gas flow control: Accurate gas flow control is also important for the repeatability and accuracy of experiments. Choose a rotary tube furnace equipped with high-precision gas mass flow meters, with a flow control range that can meet the experimental requirements and has good linearity and repeatability. For some experiments that require precise control of gas concentration, the accuracy of gas flow control should reach ± 1% or higher.

Vacuum performance
Vacuum requirement: Determine the required vacuum level according to experimental needs. If the experiment needs to be conducted in a high vacuum environment, such as certain thin film deposition, material surface treatment, etc., it is necessary to choose a rotary tube furnace that can achieve high vacuum degree. Generally, the vacuum degree needs to reach 10 ⁻ Pa or lower. For some experiments that do not require high vacuum levels, such as ordinary heat treatment experiments, a vacuum level of 10 ⁻¹ -10 ⁻ ² Pa may be sufficient.
Extraction speed: A faster extraction speed can save experimental time, especially for experiments that require frequent vacuum operations. Understand the pumping speed of the vacuum pump equipped with the equipment, generally expressed in liters per second, and select the appropriate pumping speed equipment according to experimental requirements. For example, for some large furnace tubes or experiments that require rapid achievement of high vacuum, a vacuum pump with a pumping speed of 10-20 liters per second is more suitable.

Control system
Automation level: Choosing a rotary tube furnace with a higher degree of automation can improve experimental efficiency and accuracy. For example, the equipment should have automatic heating, cooling, and insulation control functions, and be able to conduct experiments according to preset programs to reduce manual operation errors. Some devices also have functions such as remote control, data recording, and analysis, which can facilitate laboratory personnel to monitor and manage the experimental process.
Operation interface: The operation interface should be concise, clear, easy to operate, with clear display screens and intuitive operation buttons. It is best to have a graphical interface that can display key parameters such as temperature, gas flow rate, and vacuum degree in real time, making it convenient for experimental personnel to understand the operating status of the equipment at any time.

Brand and after-sales service
Brand reputation: Choosing a well-known brand of rotary tube furnace usually has better quality and performance guarantees. You can learn about the reputation and credibility of different brands by consulting relevant literature, consulting with other laboratory users, or searching for product reviews online.
After sales service: Good after-sales service is crucial for the long-term stable operation of equipment. When selecting, it is important to understand whether the supplier can provide timely technical support, equipment maintenance and upkeep services, and whether there is sufficient supply of spare parts. For example, suppliers should be able to respond within 24-48 hours after equipment failure and provide effective solutions to reduce the impact of equipment downtime on experiments.

Customized rotary tube furnace with preheating function (click on the image to view product details)

So, when choosing a rotary tube furnace, one should have a detailed understanding of the above content. It is recommended to communicate the parameters with relevant technical personnel before purchasing, so as to produce a rotary tube furnace that suits one's experimental needs!Click to learn more Rotary tube furnaces! Or click on online customer service to learn more about product information!