MUFU-CA Laboratory Muffle Furnace 1200 °C, 2–36 L

COLO.Science · Heating & Thermal Processing · Muffle furnaces

MUFU-CA laboratory muffle furnace — 1200 °C, high-precision controller, 2 to 36 L

The MUFU-CA laboratory muffle furnace series is a range of bench-top laboratory furnaces for ashing, loss on ignition, dry sample preparation and heat treatment up to 1200 °C. A light ceramic fibre chamber heated from three sides reaches the maximum temperature in about 30 minutes, and a high-precision single-stage controller with a K-type thermocouple holds it within ±1 °C. The powder-coated steel housing keeps the series economical for routine laboratories. Five chamber sizes — 2, 7.2, 12, 16 and 36 L — share one design, and every model can be ordered with the factory-fitted 64-segment program controller MUFU-PRG64.

One furnace series for ashing, ignition and heat treatment in the routine laboratory

Most laboratory furnace work is a temperature that has to be reached quickly, held steadily and documented: total and sulfated ash, residue on ignition, loss on ignition of cement or soil, dry ashing before AAS or ICP-OES. The MUFU-CA furnaces are built for exactly that. The ceramic fibre lining has a low thermal mass, so the chamber heats and cools faster than a brick-lined furnace, and the double housing with an air gap keeps the outer surface cooler on a crowded bench.

Key characteristics

• Temperature range 100–1200 °C, fluctuation ±1 °C, display resolution 1 °C.
• Fast heating — maximum temperature in ≤ 30 min.
• Alloy wire heaters on three sides — left, right and top — for even heating of the chamber.
• Ceramic fibre chamber and insulation, powder-coated steel housing, double shell with air gap.
• High-precision controller with K-type thermocouple, sensor offset correction and power-failure memory.
• Exhaust Ø30 mm into the chamber with chimney 80 × 60 mm.

Suitable for

• Pharmaceutical QC laboratories — sulfated ash, residue on ignition, ash of raw materials.
• Food and feed laboratories — total ash and acid-insoluble ash.
• Environmental, cement, soil and coal laboratories — loss on ignition.
• Analytical laboratories — dry ashing before AAS, ICP-OES and heavy-metal determination.
• Material and metal laboratories — annealing, hardening, firing and calcination of small batches.

Why a muffle furnace with a high-precision controller

In routine ashing the result depends on how exactly the ignition temperature is held, run after run. The MUFU-CA laboratory muffle furnace uses a high-precision single-stage controller with a K-type thermocouple, so the set temperature is reached without overshoot and held within ±1 °C. The powder-coated steel housing with a double shell and air gap keeps the outer surface cooler, and the mirror-finish stainless steel chamber mouth and the mechanical door lock keep the opening clean and closed tightly during long ignition steps.

The controller is ready for calibration: the sensor offset correction lets the displayed value be adjusted to a reference thermometer placed in the chamber, and the parameter lock keeps the setting after it has been verified. Over-temperature protection with sound and light alarm, a thermocouple failure alarm and heating cut-off when the door opens protect the samples and the operator.

Models, product codes and option

The series has five chamber sizes. The 16 L model is offered for a 230 V single-phase or a 380 V three-phase supply, the 36 L model for 380 V three-phase. Choose the size by the number and size of crucibles per run, and the supply by what is available at the installation site. Quote and order with the COLO product code.

Exterior dimensions without chimney. For the 16 L model on 230 V the supply circuit is confirmed with COLO.Science before installation; data of the 36 L model on request.

When the 64-segment program controller is needed

The standard controller heats to one set temperature and holds it. That is enough for a single ignition step. Many methods, however, prescribe a sequence: the sample is dried, then charred slowly, and only then ignited at the final temperature. Heating an organic sample straight to 600 °C makes it spatter or burn with a flame, and material is lost. The MUFU-PRG64 controller runs the whole sequence as one stored program — the same profile every time, independent of the operator.

Typical programs

• Sulfated ash (pharmacopoeia) — gentle heating until the sample is charred, then ignition at 600 ± 50 °C.
• Total ash in food and feed — drying, slow charring of fat-rich samples, ashing at 550 °C.
• Loss on ignition — drying at 105 °C, then ignition at 550 °C or 950 °C.
• Heat treatment — hardening, tempering and annealing with defined heating and cooling rates.
• Ceramics, glass and catalysts — firing and calcination curves with holds.

In GMP and GLP work a fixed, stored temperature profile is also easier to validate and to describe in an SOP. Overnight programs with delayed start and controlled cooling use the furnace when the laboratory is empty. The full example profile with drying, charring, ignition and cooling is shown on page 4 of the technical specification (PDF).

Installation, qualification and calibration

A muffle furnace needs a stable, non-combustible bench, free space around the housing for ventilation and a way to lead the fumes from the chimney away — under a hood or to an extraction point. The 2, 7.2 and 12 L models run on 220 V single-phase; the 16 L model draws 6.0 kW and is connected either to 380 V three-phase or to a dedicated 230 V single-phase circuit; the 36 L model runs on 380 V three-phase.

For regulated laboratories COLO.Science installs the furnace and carries out installation and operational qualification (IQ/OQ) with protocols. The chamber temperature can be calibrated against a reference thermometer placed in the chamber, and a calibration according to ISO/IEC 17025 can be added to the order.

Standard delivery

• MUFU-CA muffle furnace of the selected size, with powder-coated steel housing and ceramic fibre chamber.
• K-type thermocouple and high-precision controller fitted.
• Chimney.
• Instruction manual.

Crucibles, the program controller MUFU-PRG64, installation, IQ/OQ and calibration are quoted separately. The delivered configuration for a specific order is the one confirmed in the COLO.Science quotation.

Knowledge base

COLO.Science — methods, applications and practical notes for laboratory equipment.

Selection guide

• A few crucibles per run? MUFU-CA2, 2 L, is enough for small series and fits the smallest bench space.
• Routine ash series? MUFU-CA7, 7.2 L, or MUFU-CA12, 12 L, with the taller chamber for larger crucibles.
• Many crucibles or larger parts? MUFU-CA16, 16 L, on 230 V or 380 V, or MUFU-CA36, 36 L, on 380 V.
• Housing in a GMP clean area? The stainless steel series MUFU-A·S has the same chamber sizes up to 16 L.
• Method with drying, charring and ignition steps? Add the program controller MUFU-PRG64.
• GMP laboratory? Add installation, IQ/OQ and temperature calibration to the quotation.

Configuration notice

This page is provided for orientation and product selection. It does not replace the binding specification, the delivered configuration, the validation protocol or the acceptance criteria confirmed in the official COLO.Science quotation, proforma invoice or order confirmation. Confirm the chamber size, the supply voltage, the controller option and any qualification or calibration requirement of the MUFU-CA laboratory muffle furnace for the specific order. B2B prices are quoted net, excluding VAT.

Sales and support for international customers

COLO Lab ExpertsPolje ob Sotli 4, SI-3255 Buče, Slovenia
Phone: +386 70 713 437 · Email: sales@colo.si · Web: colo.si
We supply laboratories across Europe directly and through partners. B2B prices are quoted net, excluding VAT.

Need help choosing the chamber size or the controller?

Send the method or SOP, the maximum temperature, the number of crucibles per run and the supply available at the site. COLO.Science will confirm the furnace size, whether the program controller is needed, the qualification package and the delivery time.