Solar Manufacturing recently shipped a high performance vacuum furnace to be used by a major aircraft engine manufacturer. The furnace, which incorporates super cooling and high temperature capabilities, will be used for research in heat treating and further development of super alloys for new and existing applications in the aircraft engine industry. The vacuum furnace is a Model HFL-2624-10IQ horizontal front loading system with a work zone that measures 18″ wide x 14″ high x 28″ deep and a load capacity of 500 pounds. "The hot zone incorporates a combination of 0.075″ thick CFC graphite hot face backed by multiple layers of high purity graphite felt allowing for an operating temperature up to 2800^oF," explained Pete Reh, vice president of sales. "The durable, curved graphite elements provide for rapid and uniform heating; and the vacuum system will allow for operation in the 10^-5 Torr range or better," he added.

According to Reh, the high velocity gas cooling system will be capable of quenching at pressures up to 10 bar positive. The cooling system will consist of a 100 HP blower motor; a variable frequency drive; an all-copper, water-cooled, fin and tube heat exchanger; and unique, tapered graphite gas nozzles which surround the workload.