BTU INTERNATIONAL

Precision atmosphere control for advanced ceramics and metals processing.
Designed for today’s most demanding materials applications, TCA muffle furnaces can be configured to meet the requirements of glass to metal sealing, metal brazing and many other processes requiring tight atmosphere and temperature control. TCA delivers superior performance in diverse atmospheres including air, nitrogen, hydrogen, forming gas and disassociated ammonia. Unique features like gas spargers, venturi exhaust and patented eductor technology make TCA the essential furnace for advanced materials processing.

1180°C Maximum Temperature
TCA incorporates components that provide reliable high temperature operation for ceramics and metals processing.
Independent Overtemperature Control
Overtemperature control shuts the furnace down if setpoints are exceeded, ensuring protection of furnace components and product.
Closed Loop Belt Speed Control
Allows +/- 0.01% accuracy to guarantee proper time at temperature for demanding processes requiring tight profile control.
Air or Nitrogen Atmosphere
Provides the ability to operate in a clean dry air or nitrogen atmosphere for Thick Film processing in Silver or Copper systems.
Voltage
208-240 VAC standard. Additional voltage configurations available upon request.

Hydrogen Atmosphere up to 100%
System interlocks and a fail-safe gas panel ensure reliable H2 processing without cumbersome and expensive vacuum purging
Precision +/-1°C Temperature Uniformity
+/-1°C across belt temperature uniformity can be achieved using our precision process package, including testing at BTU.
Eductor Heating/Cooling System
Patented Eductors provide rapid convection cooling in a shorter footprint, saving time in the furnace. Eductors can also provide fast, controlled heating through convection flow of heated gas.

Gas Barriers
Patented technology provides optimal gas separation, ensuring process purity down to 2ppm O2 and moisture.
Gas Sparger
Removable Gas spargers provide excellent gas dispersion and venturi controlled binder burnout gas removal. Sparger trays are removable for easy cleaning.

6 INCH

14 INCH A

14 INCH B

25 INCH

Typical Process 

Brazing / Glass to Metal Sealing / Bright Anneal

Brazing / Glass to Metal Sealing / Bright Anneal

Noble Metal / Copper Thick Film

Noble Metal / Copper Thick Film

Temperature Uniformity

+/- 2°C

+/- 2°C
+/-1°C Optional

+/- 2°C
+/-1°C Optional

+/- 2°C
+/-1°C Optional

Atmosphere

N2 / H2/ Ar / other

N2 / H2/ Ar / other

Air / N2

Air / N2

Typical Process 

<2ppm O2

Belt Width

6 in. / 152mm

14 in. / 356mm

14 in. / 356mm

25 in. / 635mm

Heated Zones

6

10

7

7

Heated Length

72 in. / 1829mm

120 in. / 3048mm

125 in. / 3175mm

125 in. / 3175mm

Belt Speed Ranges (ipm)

1 - 6 ipm

1 - 6 ipm

2 - 12 ipm

2 - 12 ipm

Water Cooling

48 in. / 1219mm

84 in. / 2134mm

48 in. / 1219mm

48 in. / 1219mm

System Height

60 in. / 1524mm

System Width

36 in. / 914mm

48 in. / 1219mm

60 in. / 1524mm

System Length

19 ft. / 5.8m

27.5 ft. / 8.4m

26 ft. / 8.0m

26 ft. / 8.0m

Air atmosphere firing of SOFC planar or tubular cells involves binder removal and sintering of the anode, electrolyte and cathode. Binder removal is typically from 200°C - 450°C and requires a controlled ramp and continuous flow of clean air for organics removal.
Firing of the anode and electrolyte are typically between 1350°C and 1500°C depending upon materials properties. The peak temperature determines reaction rates and final densification level.
Conductivity of the SOFC determines performance, and the thermal control of interfacial reactions is critical to achieve the required uniform performance of all of the cells. BTU controls temperature uniformity across the furnace.
Flatness of a planar cell, and straightness of a tubular cell must be controlled to achieve ease of assembly, reliability of seals, and improved life cycling performance. The firing process uniformity of temperature in binder removal and in the peak firing temperatures is key to controlling flatness and straightness