A small rotary furnace can accommodate various gases, depending on its application scenario, process requirements, and the characteristics of the materials being processed. Let's take a detailed look below!

A commonly used small atmosphere rotary furnace (click on the picture to view product details)

1. Inert gas
Nitrogen (N ₂)
Characteristics: Nitrogen is a chemically stable gas that is difficult to react with other substances at room temperature and pressure.
Application scenario: In small rotary furnaces, nitrogen is often used as a protective gas. For example, in the heat treatment process of metal materials, in order to prevent the metal from undergoing oxidation reaction with oxygen in the air at high temperatures, which may cause an oxide layer on the metal surface and affect the performance and quality of the metal, nitrogen gas will be introduced into the rotary furnace to exhaust the air inside the furnace and create an oxygen free environment.

Argon gas (Ar)
Characteristics: Argon is also an inert gas, with stronger chemical inertness than nitrogen, and almost no chemical reaction with any substance.
Application scenario: In some processes that require extremely high material purity, such as the preparation of semiconductor materials and the melting of high-purity metals, argon gas is a more ideal choice. It can effectively prevent materials from being contaminated at high temperatures, ensuring product quality and performance.

2. Reductive gases
Hydrogen (H ₂)
Characteristics: Hydrogen has strong reducibility and can undergo reduction reactions with metal oxides and other substances under certain conditions, reducing metals from their oxides. Application scenario: In the process of metal smelting and purification, introducing hydrogen into a small rotary furnace can reduce some metal oxides. For example, in the smelting of refractory metals such as tungsten and molybdenum, hydrogen can reduce metal oxides to metallic elements while generating water vapor. In addition, hydrogen can also be used for hydrogenation reactions of some organic compounds. Under the action of catalysts, unsaturated organic compounds undergo addition reactions with hydrogen, improving the stability and quality of the product.

Carbon monoxide (CO)
Characteristics: Carbon monoxide is also a common reducing gas, which can react with many metal oxides to remove oxygen from the oxides and generate carbon dioxide and elemental metals.
Application scenario: In the reduction and ironmaking process of iron ore, carbon monoxide is the main reducing agent. Small rotary furnaces can be used for small-scale iron ore reduction experiments or special metal reduction smelting. By introducing carbon monoxide gas, iron oxides in iron ore are reduced to iron.

3. Oxidative gases
Oxygen (O ₂)
Characteristics: Oxygen is a highly oxidizing gas that can support combustion and many oxidation reactions.
Application scenario: In some processes that require oxidation treatment of materials, such as incineration of organic matter, oxidation coloring of metals, etc., oxygen is introduced into a small rotary furnace. For example, when dealing with some organic waste, introducing oxygen can accelerate the combustion of organic matter, allowing it to fully decompose into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. In metal surface treatment, oxygen can form an oxide film on the metal surface, improving the corrosion resistance and decorative properties of the metal.

air
Characteristics: Air is a mixture of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen, with oxygen accounting for about 21% and having a certain degree of oxidizing properties.
Application scenario: In some processes that do not require high oxidation, air can be used instead of pure oxygen. For example, in the drying process of some materials, introducing air can take away the moisture in the materials, and at the same time, the oxygen in the air can also oxidize the materials to a certain extent.

4. Special process gases
Ammonia gas (NH3)
Characteristics: Ammonia can undergo decomposition reactions under certain conditions, producing hydrogen and nitrogen, and it also has a certain degree of reducibility.
Application scenario: In some metal nitriding processes, ammonia is a commonly used nitriding agent. Ammonia gas is introduced into a small rotary furnace, and the active nitrogen atoms generated by the decomposition of ammonia gas at high temperatures can penetrate the metal surface, forming a nitride layer and improving the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the metal.

Carbon dioxide (CO ₂)
Characteristics: Carbon dioxide is a stable gas at room temperature and pressure, but can react with some metals at high temperatures.
Application scenario: Used in the carbonization treatment of some metals or as a protective gas. For example, in the heat treatment of certain steel materials, an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide can participate in the reaction, regulating the carbon content and properties of the steel. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide can also be used as a substitute for inert gases in some processes that do not require strict oxidation requirements.

Small variable diameter tube atmosphere rotary furnace (click on the picture to view product details)

Small rotary furnaces can accommodate various gases, which allows them to have more processes. However, before introducing different gases, it is necessary to confirm with the manufacturer whether they meet the corresponding gas safety standards in order to ensure the safety of experiments or production!Click to learn more Small rotary furnaces! Or click on online customer service to learn more about product information!