Rotating inclined tube high-temperature furnace sintering

Rotating inclined tube high-temperature furnace sintering is an advanced heat treatment technology that improves the consistency of material properties through dynamic sintering processes. Its core principles, advantages, application scenarios, and operating specifications are as follows:

1. Core principle
rotating mechanism
By driving the furnace tube to rotate through a motor and transmission device (with adjustable speed, such as 0-15rpm), the material continuously rolls and moves inside the furnace, achieving uniform heating. For example, when sintering titanium alloy powder, the rotation mode improves the densification efficiency of the material and avoids the common “onion ring” delamination defects in traditional equipment.
Tilting mechanism
The furnace body can be tilted from 0 to 45 degrees (some equipment supports a large tilt angle of 30 degrees), making it convenient for material feeding and discharging. At the same time, gravity drives laminar flow to promote material mixing and reaction. For example, when sintering copper tungsten alloy, the inclined design enhances the interfacial bonding strength.
Multi temperature zone control
The furnace is divided into 2-6 independent temperature zones along the axial direction (such as feeding zone, sintering zone, cooling zone), each equipped with independent heating elements (such as silicon molybdenum rods, resistance wires) and temperature control systems to achieve gradient temperature distribution (such as 300 ℃ -1200 ℃), meeting the heat treatment needs of materials at different stages.
Vacuum and Atmosphere Control
Vacuum up to 10 ⁻ Pa to 10 ⁻ ³ Pa through mechanical and molecular pumps to eliminate the oxidation effect of oxygen on the material; At the same time, inert gases such as argon and nitrogen or reducing gases such as hydrogen can be introduced to create a specific atmosphere. For example, when burning graphene/copper composite powder, an argon atmosphere evenly disperses graphene in the copper matrix to prepare high thermal conductivity composite materials.

2. Advantages and Characteristics
Significant improvement in sintering uniformity
The dynamic sintering process (rotation+tilt) forms a spiral motion trajectory of the material, and each particle can be uniformly exposed to the high temperature zone, avoiding local overheating or undercooking caused by static sintering. For example, when sintering nano zirconia ceramics, the uniformity of grain growth is improved and the sintering cycle is shortened.
Optimization of material performance consistency
By precisely controlling temperature, atmosphere, and sintering time, materials with specific morphology, size, and properties can be prepared. For example, in the sintering of NCM811 positive electrode material for lithium batteries, multi temperature zone temperature control (preheating zone 600 ℃, sintering zone 1150 ℃, cooling zone 300 ℃) is combined with argon gas protection to improve material crystallinity and cycle life.
Enhanced process flexibility
The tilt angle and rotation speed can be adjusted (such as 0-30 degrees tilt, 0-15rpm rotation), supporting different material and process requirements. For example, in powder metallurgy, rotation ensures thorough mixing and reaction of powders; In catalyst preparation, tilting promotes sufficient contact between gas and material.
Equipment safety and reliability
Equipped with safety devices such as over temperature alarm, thermocouple protection, and gas leak detection to ensure safe operation. For example, the magnetic fluid seal design can maintain a speed accuracy of 0.01 rad/min at 1200 ℃, eliminating lubricant contamination issues.

3. Application scenarios
metal material
Used for sintering metal powders such as titanium alloys and copper tungsten alloys to improve density and mechanical properties.
ceramic materials
Used for sintering ceramic powders such as alumina and zirconia to improve grain growth uniformity and fracture toughness.
semiconductor material
Sintering semiconductor wafers under vacuum or inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation, improve insulation performance and stability.
nanomaterials
By controlling temperature, atmosphere, and sintering time, nano ceramics, nano metals, and other materials with specific morphology and size can be prepared.
new energy materials
Used for sintering positive and negative electrode materials of lithium batteries (such as NCM811, graphene/copper composite materials) to improve energy density and cycle life.

4. Operating standards
Equipment inspection
Check if the furnace body, heating elements, temperature control system, vacuum system, atmosphere control system, etc. are functioning properly.
Confirm that the tilting mechanism and rotating mechanism operate flexibly without any jamming phenomenon.
Material preparation
Choose appropriate materials and loading methods (such as boats, crucibles) to avoid material accumulation or spillage.
Pre treat materials according to process requirements (such as drying, mixing, granulation).
Parameter Settings
Set parameters such as heating rate, insulation temperature, insulation time, and cooling rate based on material characteristics and process requirements.
Set the tilt angle and rotation speed to ensure uniform heating and reaction of the material.
Sintering process monitoring
Real time monitoring of furnace temperature, atmosphere pressure, vacuum degree and other parameters to ensure process stability.
Observe the status of materials (such as color and shape changes), adjust parameters or handle abnormal situations in a timely manner.
Post processing and cleaning
After sintering is completed, cooling, sampling, and post-treatment (such as grinding, screening, and testing) are carried out according to the process requirements.
Clean up residual materials and impurities in the furnace, keep the furnace clean, and extend the service life of the equipment.