Exploring the Versatile Furnaces of the NETZSCH STA 509 Jupiter^® Instrument Series

The NETZSCH STA 509 Jupiter^® series is a highly adaptable simultaneous thermal analysis system with a variety of furnaces designed to meet different temperature ranges and material characterization needs.

The STA 509 Jupiter^® Select and Supreme models also offer the ability to mount two furnaces simultaneously, allowing seamless switching between analytical tasks without disassembly or complete recalibration.

This reduces downtime, increases productivity, and allows the system to support both routine quality control and advanced materials research in a single setup.

With multiple furnace options, the STA 509 Jupiter^® can accommodate a wide variety of materials and test conditions. For example, one furnace can be dedicated to low-temperature applications, such as polymer characterization, while another is available for high-temperature processes, such as those required for ceramics and metals.

This article is the first in a series that will explore the technical features and applications of each furnace to help determine the best setup for your specific analytical needs.

The STA 509 Jupiter^® Series

• 
  STA 509 Jupiter^® Classic

  Best Price/Performance Ratio

  • RT to 1600°C
  • SiC furnace
  • Balance resolution: 0.1 μg
  • Optional 20-position ASC
• 
  STA 509 Jupiter^® Select

  Taylored to Your Needs

  • -150 to 2400°C
  • Choice of 12 different furnaces
  • Balance resolution: 0.1 μg
  • Optional 20-position ASC or 2nd furnace
• 
  STA 509 Jupiter^® Supreme

  Instrument for Highest Performance

  • -150°C to 2000°C
  • Choice of 9 different furnaces
  • Balance resolution: 0.025 μg
  • Optional 20-position ASC or 2nd furnace

Common High-Temperature Furnaces

1.silicon carbide (SiC) furnace with replaceable protective tube

• Temperature range: Room temperature (RT) to 1600°C
• Application fields:

The SiC furnace is designed for routine analyses up to 1600°C. These typically include ceramics, building materials, metals and alloys characterization, where the data obtained, such as Thermal StabilityA material is thermally stable if it does not decompose under the influence of temperature. One way to determine the thermal stability of a substance is to use a TGA (thermogravimetric analyzer). thermal stability and OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation rates, are essential for optimizing product formulations and production processes.

Its robust construction makes this furnace suited for the presence of aggressive samples and for use in corrosive atmospheres. Due to its resistance to wear and corrosion, it is especially well-suited for analyzing OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation-prone metals and ceramics that may react with the environment during heating.

In the metal and alloys industries, for instance, a significant advantage of the SiC Furnace is its resistance to the release of vapors during heating, such as zinc, which can be particularly damaging to the platinum heating elements commonly used in other high-temperature furnaces on the market.

In addition, the SiC furnace is equipped with an alumina protective tube that can be easily replaced by the user. This feature further contributes to the stability and longevity of the furnace over extended periods of use, providing more consistent and accurate measurements and making it easy and cost-effective to maintain.

2. Platinum Furnace

• Temperature range: RT to 1500°C
• Application fields:

The STA 509’s platinum furnace is ideal for materials that require accurate measurements of thermal properties, exceptional Thermal StabilityA material is thermally stable if it does not decompose under the influence of temperature. One way to determine the thermal stability of a substance is to use a TGA (thermogravimetric analyzer). thermal stability, and uniform heat distribution.

Its ability to measure Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.specific heat capacity with unparalleled high accuracy makes it essential for industries, developing devices where thermal performance at stable, high temperatures is critical. Industries, focused on advanced materials such as those developing electronics or thermal sensors, rely on the platinum furnace to ensure that their products maintain consistent performance under demanding conditions.

Its precise temperature control supports testing of materials under varying thermal loads, making it the top choice for applications where maintaining high accuracy and stability is critical, such as with platinum, gold, and ceramic composites.

3. Rhodium Furnace

• Temperature range: RT to 1650°C
• Application fields:

The NETZSCH STA 509’s rhodium furnace is designed for advanced thermal analysis where temperatures above 1500°C are required. This furnace is also highly resistant to thermal StressStress is defined as a level of force applied on a sample with a well-defined cross section. (Stress = force/area). Samples having a circular or rectangular cross section can be compressed or stretched. Elastic materials like rubber can be stretched up to 5 to 10 times their original length.stress, OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation, and corrosion. This makes it ideal for the analysis of high-performance materials used in the aerospace and electronics industries where components are exposed to harsh environments.

Rhodium's resistance to OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation and aggressive atmospheres is particularly beneficial for applications involving reactive metals and engineered ceramics, providing highly accurate measurements of mass changes, phase changes, and Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.specific heat capacity.

Industries developing these materials use the rhodium furnace to test durability, stability, and efficiency to improve longevity and performance of their end products.

4. Graphite Furnace with user-replaceable protective tubes

• Temperature range: RT to 2000°C
• Application fields:

The graphite furnace is designed for testing materials at extreme temperatures. Its design provides exceptional Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity and resistance, making it well-suited for applications involving advanced ceramics, refractory metals, and other heat-resistant materials.

The STA 509 Jupiter^®’s graphite furnace can be used to study the thermal Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition over the entire temperature range, to evaluate the Thermal StabilityA material is thermally stable if it does not decompose under the influence of temperature. One way to determine the thermal stability of a substance is to use a TGA (thermogravimetric analyzer). thermal stability of materials at elevated temperatures, and to Identify Phase TransitionsThe term phase transition (or phase change) is most commonly used to describe transitions between the solid, liquid and gaseous states.phase transitions and the evolution of permanent gases.

Like the SiC furnace, the graphite furnace is equipped with user-replaceable protective tubes for measurements in oxidative atmospheres up to 1700°C and in inert atmospheres below 2000°C.

Its design makes the graphite furnace a valuable tool for characterizing refractory materials, determining the thermal properties of materials used in applications such as furnace linings, insulation, and high-temperature coatings.

In addition, it can be used to study the behavior of advanced ceramics such as silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and alumina under extreme conditions that are critical for applications in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

In the aerospace industry, for example, it's the furnace of choice for studying the thermal and OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation behavior of superalloys and ceramics used in turbine components to optimize the design and performance of these high-temperature parts.

5. Tungsten Furnace

• Temperature range: RT to 2400°C
• Application fields:

The STA 509 tungsten furnace is a key tool for research and engineering applications that demand extremely high-temperature capabilities, well beyond what most other furnaces on the market can achieve. This makes it highly beneficial for industries like aerospace, nuclear, and energy, where materials are subjected to extreme thermal conditions under vacuum or an inert atmosphere.

The tungsten furnace's ability to operate at very high temperatures enables detailed analysis of phase changes, and melting properties of refractory materials, metals, and alloys. These characteristics are crucial for improving the durability and performance of components used in high-StressStress is defined as a level of force applied on a sample with a well-defined cross section. (Stress = force/area). Samples having a circular or rectangular cross section can be compressed or stretched. Elastic materials like rubber can be stretched up to 5 to 10 times their original length.stress environments, such as turbine blades, reactor materials, and thermal protection systems.

Designed to withstand extreme conditions, the tungsten furnace provides highly accurate data. This is essential for refining manufacturing processes and material formulations, optimizing the performance and longevity of high-temperature components.

Share this article: