Vacuum electrothermal equipment: achievements and prospects

This article examines design features of modern vacuum electrothermal equipment used for melting and for heat treatments administered without changes in the state of aggregation of the material being treated, as well as furnaces used for recycling and furnaces built for research purposes. It is shown that the reliability, efficiency, and safety of vacuum furnaces depends on the optimality of the choices made for the design of the furnace, the vacuum system, the materials comprising the heating block, and the furnace control system.