Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13c0a-089b-72ef-bcc1-3dbfe1ff3a64/tender-for-the-supply-and-installation-of-a-bridgman-furnace

closed GB open procedure

# Tender for the Supply and Installation of a Bridgman Furnace

[University of Birmingham](https://tendernation.io/buyers/university-of-birmingham)

Estimated value

Not stated

Published

22 Nov 2017

Deadline

Closed

22 Dec 2017

## Who can bid

- Open procedure

    Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage.

## About this tender

### Supply and Installation of a Bridgman Furnace

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for the supply of a high specification vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger furnace, with a maximum operating temperature of 1700°C or greater, for the solidification and growth of single crystals of 12 mm diameter over a wide range of growth rates, including quenching capability.

The specification below outlines the requirements for a Bridgman-Stockbarger furnace that will be used to solidify samples for academic research. The core uses are twofold:

- The production of high-purity, homogeneous single crystals across a wide spectrum of materials systems, from tin alloys and aluminium alloys to MnSi, FeGa alloys and rare-earth transition metals (e.g. DyFe2). The furnace must therefore allow different crucible materials and types, and operate over a wide range of growth temperatures, with controlled, slow withdrawal rates of typically 0.03 mm min-1. The supplier should detail which crucible materials are possible and indicate the costs of crucibles and their suppliers. To produce single crystals in non-equilibrium structures, the furnace must be capable of rapidly quenching its charge. To achieve high-purity, the sample chamber should be leak-tight under vacuum and have a gas-handling system for backfilling of inert gas atmospheres.
- The study of dendritic growth and solidification kinetics in selected systems e.g. nickel superalloys. Here high withdrawal rates (typically 3 mm min-1) and large thermal gradients (200°C cm-1 or greater) are required, with a long charge length (45 cm or greater). Quenching is necessary to freeze in dendrite structures.

Different technical solutions are evidently possible to realise the quenching requirement e.g. among others, dropping into a liquid metal bath or through a rapid motion into a snug-fit cooled jacket. If the supplier opts for the latter, it should be noted that this must be optimised for at least two charge (i.e. inner crucible) diameters: 6mm and 12mm. This could be achieved with, for example, a removable copper insert in the quench zone.

Additional information:

All main correspondence should go via the University's In-Tend website. Your tender documents and information must be submitted via In-Tend by the date and time specified; [in-tendhost.co.uk](https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home)

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No

Read full description

## CPV classification

Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens

Source

Contracts Finder (UK)

[View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/1aca54f1-0bc6-47e8-be53-05526ea930a1)

Never miss a tender like this again

Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start.

[Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register)

[Buyer profile University of Birmingham: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/university-of-birmingham) [Sector More Industrial machinery tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/industrial-machinery)

## More tenders like this

[Lifting and handling equipment – Moyens de manutention motorisés · Union des Groupements d'Achats Publics · 57 days left · 15 Dec 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-88ab-73d8-bf7c-44ba9139abc3/france-lifting-and-handling-equipment-moyens-de-manutention-motorises) [Lathes – Strung universal cu diametrul de prelucrare între Ø 320 ÷ Ø 380 mm · S Uzina Mecanica Plopeni SA · 32 days left · 20 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-89ea-7222-a30a-79ce9a09d1c7/romania-lathes-strung-universal-cu-diametrul-de-prelucrare-intre-o-320-o-3) [Water pumps – ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΙΑ ΑΝΤΑΛΛΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ ΓΙΑ ΤΙΣ ΥΠΗΡΕΣΙΕΣ ΕΠΙΣΚΕΥΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΥΠΟΒΡΥΧΙΩΝ ΑΝΤΛΗΤΙΚΩΝ ΣΥΓΚΡΟΤΗΜΑΤΩΝ ΥΔΡΕΥΣΗΣ · ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΗ ΥΔΡΕΥΣΗΣ-ΑΠΟΧΕΥΤΕΥΣΗΣ ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΟΥ (Δ.Ε.Υ.Α.Η.) · 35 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-74e7-7383-82e1-b4c6885044d2/greece-water-pumps-promhthia-antallaktikon-gia-tis-yphresies-episkefhs-ton-y) [Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery – „Wood Vision Lab“ - das Technikum: "Absauganlage" · Wood Vision Lab GmbH · 8 days left · 27 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-7ec8-7322-8445-8dcef4fed830/austria-miscellaneous-special-purpose-machinery-wood-vision-lab-das-tech) [Centrifuges – Centrifug och styrskåp - Hudiksvalls kommun · Hudiksvalls kommun · 2 days left · 21 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-8986-70b3-a08f-2e4ab5fe626c/sweden-centrifuges-centrifug-och-styrskap-hudiksvalls-kommun) [Machinery and apparatus for filtering or purifying water – Systém na přípravu ultračisté vody · Vysoká škola báňská - Technická univerzita Ostrava · 34 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-8de7-7383-a6dd-5533ea57df0c/czechia-machinery-and-apparatus-for-filtering-or-purifying-water-system-na-p)