Tips on Using Environmental Chambers & Furnaces

Does your system incorporate "specimen protect" or "load protect"? If you are not sure, ask us.

If it does you can use this feature to compensate for load string and specimen expansion/contraction while your furnace or chamber reaches set-point temperature.

Having inserted the specimen into the grips, set the desired load threshold value and enable the feature before switching on the furnace or chamber. As the load string expands or contacts, the crosshead or actuator will move to keep the force on the specimen below the threshold value.

• To prevent loss of heat around the pull rods and push rods, always use any convection shields provided or lightly pack the space between the pull rod and the furnace or chamber port with a suitable refractory fiber.
• Make sure you use the recommended anti-seize compounds and lubricants on your grips to help aid specimen removal.
• Use the smallest grips possible to reduce heat-up times and to maximize the available travel in an environmental chamber.
• After you have finished testing at below ambient temperatures, you can remove any condensation from the grips and pull rods by warming them in the chamber and allowing them to cool naturally.

Interested in more tips on tensile testing in high temperatures? Download our complimentary High-Temperature Guide.