Heating unit for high-temperature mechanical tests

A heating unit for a temperature range of up to 1200 C has been developed which is free of the shortcomings of tube-type ceramic furnaces. The working life of the heater with a tube thickness of 3 mm at 1100 C and a Nichrome oxidation rate of 2 mm/yr is more than 5000 hr. The conductors and casing are water-cooled; the temperature is recorded and measured simultaneously by two potentiometers and thermometers. The specified temperature is automatically maintained constant during the entire measurement process by an electronic potentiometer with an accuracy of + or - 6 C within the 900-1200 C range and + or - 4 C within the 600-900 C range. The heating unit specifications are given. The unit can heat specimens to the test temperature in about 15 min at about 2 kW power consumption.