Vacuum ovens are incredibly useful pieces of industrial equipment, capable of drying and degassing items that regular ovens cannot handle. A vacuum oven works by eliminating the presence of any air or moisture in the oven chamber, controlling temperature and airflow to varying degrees. Many industries use vacuum ovens in the production and research of their products, including pharmaceuticals, electronics and nanotechnology.
Vacuum ovens use a system of heating elements, as well as special pumps, to create a vacuum in the oven chamber. This vacuum then draws out any moisture or air, creating a vacuum-sealed environment. Although temperatures and pressures can be varied depending on the application, the majority of standard vacuum ovens operate at temperatures below 150 degrees Fahrenheit and at less than 2 microns of pressure.
Once the vacuum is created, items can be placed inside the oven, relying on the desiccation process to remove any moisture, air or other volatile substances from the item(s). This process is often used in the drying of circuit boards, the manufacture of elastomers and the production of liquids, tablets and powders.
Research and development is an area where vacuum ovens are particularly useful. Controlled atmosphere rooms, also referred to as “vacuum ovens,” are used to manipulate atmospheric conditions to create a precise environment for testing, such as packaging materials and even human tissue.
When shopping for a vacuum oven, it is important to consider the application for which it is needed. Different features are available on different models, such as stainless steel construction, shelves for stacking items and fan speeds for precise airflow control. Additionally, ovens vary in temperature range, chamber size and wattage. Utilizing a vacuum oven greatly increases the quality of production for many industries, so it is essential to pick the right type for the job.
Vacuum ovens are versatile pieces of equipment that offer numerous capabilities in many different industries. They are capable of drying and degassing items in a variety of temperatures and air pressures, and can even be used to duplicate exact atmospheric conditions for experimentation and research. Although there is an initial cost and setup time is required, vacuum ovens can improve the quality of production at a tremendous rate and are well worth the investment.
