INERT ATMOSPHERE OVEN

Compare INERT ATMOSPHERE OVEN. Inert atmosphere ovens are designed to heat samples in an atmosphere of inert gas. The inert atmosphere ovens are primarily used when you need to prevent oxidizing of a sensitive product, such as certain metals. Typical applications for inert atmosphere ovens include drying, curing, carbonizing outgassing, bonding, plating, and heat treating of materials that are sensitive to oxidation.

To retain the inert gas atmosphere in the oven and prevent the introduction of oxygen to the oven, inert atmosphere ovens have tighter seals around the oven door and other areas where gas may escape than other laboratory ovens. They are welded with a continuous weld to be gas tight. These ovens use special gaskets and latches to ensure that oxygen does not enter it and the internal atmosphere doesn't leak from it . They do not have openings to allow convection. Instead, inert atmosphere ovens use a fan to create a recirculating airflow in the oven.

The lining of inert atmosphere ovens is stainless steel with fiberglass or foam insulation to keep the   oven light in weight and the overall oven dimensions reasonable.  They frequently have stainless steel exteriors as well. These ovens are equipped with ports to evacuate the oven and to fill it with the inert gas to be used. The ports are usually three position; evacuate, fill, and closed positions. Nitrogen is the inert gas that is most often used as an atmosphere in inert atmosphere ovens. Argon and carbon dioxide are also used in these ovens.