Graphite Retorts
Sealed graphite retorts and reaction vessels for controlled atmosphere sintering, carburising, and high-temperature gas processing. Precision-machined from high-purity isostatic graphite with gas inlet and thermocouple ports.
Graphite Retorts are enclosed vessels machined from high-purity isostatic graphite, used wherever the workpiece or process gas must be isolated from the main furnace atmosphere during heat treatment. Common applications include atmosphere sintering of cemented carbides, carburising and boronising of tool steels, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) precursor decomposition, and high-temperature gas-solid reactions in research and pilot-scale production.
The retort body is machined as a cylinder or rectangular box with a close-fitting lid; O-ring faces are replaced by precision graphite-to-graphite lapped seals that maintain atmosphere integrity at temperature. Standard ports for gas inlet, gas outlet, and thermocouple insertion are machined as integral features. Ports can be fitted with graphite compression fittings or adapted to customer pipe schedules.
Retort walls are dimensioned to balance thermal conductivity (rapid heat-up) against mechanical strength under internal pressure. For pressurised processes, wall thickness is calculated to the relevant pressure vessel design code using graphite flexural strength data at operating temperature.
Available in cylindrical (ID 50 mm to 600 mm) and rectangular profiles. High-purity grades (<10 ppm ash) are standard; ultra-high-purity halogen-purified grades available for semiconductor precursor processing. Replacement lids and port inserts supplied separately.
