40%
Energy Saving vs Brick-Lined
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±5°CTemperature Uniformity
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2-YearWarranty Coverage
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80+Countries Served
Two Hot Zone Options
Graphite or Molybdenum
Which Is Right for Your Material?
Both furnace types share the same pressure vessel, vacuum pump set, and gas-quench circuit. The only structural difference is the hot zone. Select the configuration that matches your material's sensitivity to carbon contamination.
Graphite Hot Zone
Vacuum Gas Quenching Furnace — Graphite
Model: BR-QCL-G Series
High power density · Cost-efficient · Broad material compatibility
Heating Element
High-purity graphite tubes. Excellent thermal shock resistance; operable up to 1350°C with minimal element degradation over service life.
Insulation
Graphite soft felt + rigid graphite board composite. Low thermal mass enables rapid heat-up and cool-down cycles.
Best For
- Tool steels (H13, D2, M2, P20)
- Die steels & mold steels
- Spring & elastic alloys
- General-grade stainless steels
- Metal additive manufacturing (3D-printed) parts
Note: The graphite hot zone introduces a trace carbon atmosphere at high
temperature. Not recommended for carbon-sensitive alloys such as titanium, nickel
superalloys,
or medical-grade stainless steel.
Molybdenum Hot Zone
Vacuum Gas Quenching Furnace — Molybdenum
Model: BR-QCL-M Series
Zero carbon · Ultra-clean atmosphere · Precision aerospace & medical
Heating Element
Molybdenum strip elements. Zero carbon emission at any temperature; ideal for materials where surface chemistry must be preserved exactly as-designed.
Insulation
Multi-layer molybdenum foil radiation shields. Achieves equivalent insulation performance to graphite felt while maintaining a completely carbon-free environment.
Best For
- Titanium & titanium alloys (TC4, TA15)
- Nickel-base superalloys (IN718, IN625, GH4169)
- High-purity / medical-grade stainless steels (316L, 17-4PH)
- Precision aerospace structural components
- Cobalt-chrome implants & surgical instruments
Note: Molybdenum hot zones carry a higher initial cost than graphite. For
carbon-insensitive materials, the graphite furnace delivers equivalent results at lower
cost.
Technical Specifications
Full Performance Parameters
All furnace sizes share identical performance ratings. Chamber dimensions and load capacity scale with the size you select.
Thermal Performance
- Maximum Temperature 1350°C
- Long-Term Working Temperature 1300°C
- Temperature Uniformity ±5°C
- Temperature Control Accuracy ±1°C
- Heating Rate 0–15°C/min (programmable)
- Program Segments 51 segments
- Thermocouple Type Type S (Pt-Rh)
Vacuum & Gas Quench
- Ultimate Vacuum 7×10⁻¹ Pa
- Gas Quench Pressure Range 1–10 bar (steplessly adjustable)
- Quench Gas High-purity N₂ or Ar (≥99.999%)
- Cooling Rate (empty chamber) 1150°C → 250°C in <7 min
- Cooling Water Requirement ≤35°C inlet temperature
Chamber & Load
- Chamber Shape Cylindrical (Ø × H)
- Chamber Size Range Ø300×450 mm → Ø800×1200 mm
- Load Capacity Range 100 kg → 900 kg
- Installed Power Range 50 kW → 260 kW
- Max Working Temperature Up to 1300°C
- Chamber Material Stainless steel
Service & Delivery
- Warranty 2 years (complete machine)
- Lead Time — Standard 35–45 working days
- Lead Time — Custom 55–65 working days
- Certification CE, ISO
- Control System PLC + Touch Screen
- After-sales Service Online & on-site support
Size Selection Guide
Choose the Right Chamber Size for Your Parts
All sizes deliver identical performance. Select by the largest workpiece you need to process and your target batch weight. Every size is available with either a graphite or molybdenum hot zone.
| Chamber Size | Inner Dimensions (Ø × H) | Max Load | Installed Power | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR-QCL-334 G/M | Ø300 × 450 mm | 100 kg | 50 kW | R&D samples, small precision parts, prototype batches |
| BR-QCL-446 G/M | Ø400 × 600 mm | 200 kg | 80 kW | Small tooling, cutting inserts, medical instruments |
| BR-QCL-557 G/M | Ø500 × 700 mm | 400 kg | 120 kW | Medium molds, aerospace brackets, batch production |
| BR-QCL-669 G/M | Ø600 × 900 mm | 600 kg | 180 kW | Large die sets, turbine discs, structural forgings |
| BR-QCL-8812 G/M | Ø800 × 1200 mm | 900 kg | 260 kW | Heavy molds, large aerospace components, high-volume production |
Custom chamber dimensions and load capacities are available. Contact our engineering team with your workpiece drawings for a tailored recommendation.
Material & Process Reference
Recommended Process Parameters
by Material
Starting-point parameters for common materials processed in our vacuum gas quenching furnaces. Final parameters should be validated against your specific part geometry, section thickness, and metallurgical requirements.
| Material | Grade Examples | Recommended Hot Zone | Hardening Temperature | Gas Quench Pressure | Quench Gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-work tool steel | H13, H11, H21 | Graphite | 1020–1050°C | 6–8 bar | N₂ |
| High-speed steel | M2, M42, T1 | Graphite | 1200–1230°C | 8–10 bar | N₂ |
| Cold-work tool steel | D2, D3, Cr12MoV | Graphite | 1000–1040°C | 6–8 bar | N₂ |
| Plastic mold steel | P20, 718, NAK80 | Graphite | 850–900°C | 4–6 bar | N₂ |
| Austenitic stainless steel | 304, 316L | Molybdenum | 1050–1080°C | 5–6 bar | N₂ or Ar |
| Precipitation-hardening stainless | 17-4PH, 15-5PH | Molybdenum | 1040°C (solution) + 480°C (age) | 4–6 bar | N₂ |
| Titanium alloy | TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V), TA15 | Molybdenum | 900–950°C | 3–5 bar | Ar |
| Nickel-base superalloy | IN718, IN625, GH4169 | Molybdenum | 980–1080°C | 5–8 bar | Ar |
Process Advantages
Why Choose Vacuum Gas Quenching?
Vacuum gas quenching eliminates the oxidation, decarburization, and quench media contamination inherent in oil and salt-bath processes — while delivering distortion levels that conventional methods cannot match.
60–80% Less Distortion
Uniform gas impingement from all directions produces symmetric cooling gradients. Compared to oil quenching, dimensional distortion is typically reduced by 60–80%, significantly cutting post-heat-treatment grinding allowances and scrap rates.
Bright, Oxide-Free Surface
Processing under high vacuum eliminates oxygen and moisture entirely. Parts exit the furnace with a clean, bright metallic surface — no oxidation, no decarburization, no post-process cleaning or acid pickling required.
Pressure-Tunable Quench Rate
The 1–10 bar variable-pressure system lets you dial in exactly the cooling rate your metallurgy demands — gentle enough for thin-wall geometries at 2 bar, aggressive enough to fully harden large cross-sections at 10 bar.
No Quench Media Disposal
Gas quenching requires no oil, salt, or polymer quenchant. There is no fire hazard, no wastewater treatment, and no hazardous waste disposal cost — reducing both environmental liability and ongoing operating expense.
Vacuum Gas Quenching vs. Conventional Methods
| Criterion | Vacuum Gas Quenching | Oil Quenching | Salt Bath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface oxidation | None | MModerate | Low |
| Decarburization | None | Possible | Minimal |
| Dimensional distortion | Very low | High | Medium |
| Post-process cleaning | Not required | Required | Required |
| Quench rate control | Stepless 1–10 bar | Limited | Limited |
| Environmental / safety | Clean, no hazardous waste | Fire risk, waste oil | Toxic salt disposal |
| Carbon-sensitive materials | Molybdenum hot zone: fully compatible | Not recommended | Depends on salt type |
Complete System
Everything Included, Factory-Tested
Every vacuum gas quenching furnace is delivered as a complete, integrated system — fully assembled, tested, and certified before shipment.
01
Pressure Vessel & Furnace Shell
Double-wall water-cooled cylindrical shell rated for ≥10 bar working
pressure. All welds 100% inspected per pressure vessel standards.
02
Hot Zone (Graphite or Molybdenum)
Graphite tube heating elements + graphite felt insulation, or molybdenum
strip elements + multi-layer Mo foil radiation shields. Modular design for field
replacement.
03
Vacuum Pump System
Roots pump + rotary vane mechanical pump combination. Achieves 7×10⁻¹ Pa
ultimate vacuum. Automatic pump sequencing via PLC.
04
Gas Quench Circuit
High-speed centrifugal fan + water-cooled heat exchanger.
Variable-frequency drive (VFD) controls fan speed for precise pressure management from 1 to
10 bar.
05
Gas Supply & Control
Backfill valve, pressure transducer, and safety relief valve. Compatible
with both N₂ and Ar supply systems. Gas purity requirement: ≥99.999%.
06
PLC Control & HMI
Programmable 51-segment temperature curve. Touchscreen HMI with real-time
trend display, alarm management, and process data logging. Remote monitoring interface
available.
07
Cooling Water Circuit
Separate circuits for furnace shell, heat exchanger, and electrical
components. Flow rate and temperature sensors with automatic interlock protection.
08
Safety & Interlock System
Over-temperature protection, vacuum leak detection, power failure
protection, and cooling water flow interlock. All safety functions are hardware-independent
of the main PLC.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions our customers ask most often about the BR-22STV vacuum graphite carbon tube sintering furnace.
Can a vacuum gas quenching furnace replace oil quenching for tool steels?
For most air-hardening and high-alloy tool steels — including H13, D2, M2, and P20 — gas quenching at 6–10 bar delivers equivalent or superior hardness to oil quenching, with significantly lower distortion. For low-alloy steels that require very fast quench rates (e.g., water-hardening grades), oil or polymer quenching may still be required. Our engineering team can advise based on your specific grade and section size.
What is the difference between a graphite hot zone and a molybdenum hot zone?
The graphite hot zone uses graphite heating elements and felt insulation. It is cost-effective and suitable for the majority of tool steels, die steels, and general industrial alloys. However, at high temperatures, the graphite components produce a trace carbon atmosphere inside the chamber.
The molybdenum hot zone uses molybdenum strip elements and multi-layer foil radiation shields. It produces zero carbon at any temperature, making it the correct choice for titanium alloys, nickel superalloys, medical-grade stainless steels, and any material where carbon contamination would compromise the final properties. The molybdenum configuration carries a higher initial cost.
What site utilities are required for installation?
Typical utility requirements are as follows. Exact values depend on the furnace size selected:
- Power supply: 3-phase, 380V / 50Hz (or per local standard); installed power 50–260 kW depending on size
- Cooling water: Inlet temperature ≤35°C; flow rate and pressure per size specification sheet
- Gas supply: High-purity N₂ or Ar (≥99.999%), cylinder bank or bulk supply at 12–15 bar inlet
- Floor loading: Reinforced concrete floor; specific loading per foundation drawing
- Ceiling height: Minimum 4.5 m for smaller sizes; 5.5 m for the largest (Ø800×1200 mm) model
A full site preparation checklist is provided upon order confirmation.
Can the hot zone be upgraded after purchase?
Yes. Because both hot zone types are designed as modular assemblies within the same pressure vessel, field conversion from graphite to molybdenum is technically possible. This requires a scheduled maintenance window, a replacement hot-zone kit, and on-site commissioning by a Brother Furnace technician. If you anticipate processing both carbon-sensitive and standard materials in the future, we recommend discussing a dual-hot-zone strategy at the time of purchase.
What after-sales support is provided?
All vacuum gas quenching furnaces are covered by a 2-year warranty on the complete machine. Brother Furnace provides on-site installation and commissioning, operator training, and a spare parts package with each unit. Remote diagnostics via the HMI network interface are available for real-time troubleshooting. Extended service contracts and annual preventive maintenance programs are available upon request.
What is the typical service life of the hot zone components?
Under normal vacuum or inert gas operation, graphite hot zone components last 12–18 months with continuous production use. Molybdenum hot zones have a longer service life of 24–36 months due to better high-temperature stability.
Service life depends greatly on operating temperature, frequency of cycling, and avoiding accidental air ingress when the furnace is hot. All hot zones are modular and can be replaced on-site without returning the furnace to the factory.
How long does delivery and installation take?
Standard models: 35–45 working days for production and testing.
Custom models: 55–65 working days.
Shipping takes 15–35 days depending on your location. On-site installation and commissioning typically requires 3–5 working days, including operator training.
Do you provide training for machine operation?
Yes. We provide free on-site operator and maintenance training with every furnace purchase. The training covers daily operation, temperature programming, vacuum system logic, safety procedures, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting.
An English operation manual, electrical diagram, and maintenance video are also included as standard.
Is regular maintenance required for the vacuum system?
Yes, light regular maintenance ensures stable vacuum performance and long service life.
Recommended maintenance includes monthly inspection of pump oil levels, quarterly oil changes for mechanical pumps, annual inspection of seals and gaskets, and cleaning of heat exchanger surfaces. All maintenance schedules and checklists are provided in the user manual.