Process Overview

When rapid heating or high-temperature performance is required, many processes rely on induction heating. Combining decades of vacuum furnace building experience with expertise in high-temperature management and induction power, Vacuum Induction Furnaces and Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) furnaces are designed to meet these demanding needs.

For melting precious metals or developing new alloys, VIM furnace capacities range from lab scale to large batch melt processing. Systems can be designed with reliable tilt or bottom pour mechanisms, with capacities from 1 pound up to 1000 pounds (454 kg). Proficiency with vacuum equipment enables melt atmospheres to reach high vacuum levels in the 10⁻⁶ torr range, along with vacuum interlock capabilities for integrating automatic feed hoppers, bridge breakers, alloy additions, melt stirring, mold preheating, and semi-continuous mold management systems.

Expertise in graphite hot zone fabrication combined with induction heating enables high-temperature applications such as graphitization, which often require induction heat to achieve temperatures beyond the practical limits of resistance-heated furnaces. Vacuum Induction Furnaces provide reliable control of vacuum or gas environments, with single or multiple zone induction heat control for applications including Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI), directional solidification, and vacuum hot pressing.

Application

• Melting and refining precious metals and alloys
• Development and processing of new alloy composition
• Vacuum melting to minimize contamination and oxidation
• Graphitization processes requiring extreme high temperatures
• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI) processes
• Directional solidification for high-performance material casting
• Vacuum hot pressing and sintering applications
• Laboratory-scale melt processing and research
• Integration with automated feed and mold handling systems
• Production of high-purity metals and specialty materials