Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

High Temperature (1800 C) Muffle/Box Furnace will be used to establish a robust high temperature materials research program within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The high temp... High Temperature (1800 C) Muffle/Box Furnace will be used to establish a robust high temperature materials research program within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The high temperature (1800 C) exceeds the current capabilities of furnaces within the department, and are needed to conducted state-of-the-art research on hypersonic materials and thermal/environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs). Applications such as high atmosphere hypersonics often operate in an inert atmosphere, while T/EBCs materials for gas turbine engines require testing at oxygen (under atmospheric conditions). The furnace will be used to test T/EBC resistance to simulated molten sand attack, and to investigate the oxidation behavior of next generation hypersonic materials. Minimal Technical Requirements/Salient Characteristics: 1. The furnace should be a turn-key system, requiring standard power provided by US electrical outlets. (less than or equal to 240 V) 2. Furnace should be able to sustain temperature of 1800 C or greater for at least 1 h. 3. Furnace should be able to sustain temperature of 1750 C continuously. 4. Furnace should be programmable (digitally with precision of 1 C) to allow multiple heating up rates and temperature soaks. At least 20 programming segments (heat up, ramp down, hold) should be allowed. 5. Temperature should be steady and accurate to within 0.5 C. (insulation materials should not utilize hazardous materials such as asbestos or known carcinogens), and uniform throughout the heat zone (within +/- 5 C) 6. Temperature should be precisely read using an adequate thermocouple that will be durable (> 1000 h) and easily replaceable (replacements should be included or available from the vendor. 7. Heating source (e.g., coils/filaments) should be durable (>1000 h) and easily replaceable (replacements should be included or available from the vendor). 8. Furnace should be operable at atmosphere (under oxygen) or under inert atmosphere (e.g., Argon gas). 9. The interior dimensions of the furnace (hot zone) should be at least 100 mm in every direction. 10. Exterior temperature of the furnace shall not exceed 70 C at maximum temperature operation. 11. Heating Rates should be controllable, from 0-10 C/min. 12. Base warranty should be for at least 1 yr. 13. Furnace should have visible indicator (light or otherwise) when furnace is ON.