As such, they are superior to conventional industrial ovens. They are matched exactly to the heating process, so making it very stable. This helps to increase capacity and improve quality and the efficient ovens save space, time and energy.
The new oven can achieve a maximum product temperature of 900 °C in less than 10 min and can also cool down in less than 10 min. This allows fast product change-over. The oven can also be used in both continuous and batch operation. All Max infrared ovens feature a compact construction, which utilizes the energy significantly more efficiently, because the infrared radiation is optimally reflected within the oven, which also uses natural convection. As a result, the process time can be reduced, significantly increasing energy efficiency and lowering operating costs.
MAX infrared ovens are currently used in Heraeus’ in-house application center for intensive trials on customer materials. One of the ovens, with a heated length of 700 mm and a chamber cross section of 150×150 mm achieves the maximum emitter temperature in less than 1 min when working in a continuous process. In constant operation at a holding temperature of 900 °C, a holding power of around 3 kW is all that is required because of the exceptional energy-efficiency. In addition, it has been shown that an extremely good homogeneity can be achieved with a temperature difference within the product of only +/- 2 °C.
Tests demonstrate clear advantages over standard ovens, which use fireclay as the insulation material. In Max infrared ovens quartz glass materials with QRC nano-reflectors (QRC = quartz reflective coating) are used exclusively inside the oven. The QRC reflector, developed by Heraeus, features opaque, white quartz glass. Its nanostructure imparts a diffuse reflective capability to the material, resulting in a very high homogeneity of the temperature field. Quartz glass is extremely heat-resistant and widely resistant to the attack of acids and other aggressive substances. It has excellent mechanical stability, oven at very high temperatures.  
_{(Source: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH)}