Patent ID: 8047048

Claim:
A system for testing abrasion resistance of at least one test specimen at elevated temperatures of at least 230 degrees Fahrenheit comprising: a. an insulated furnace comprising: (i) a housing forming a first chamber lined with a refractory material; (ii) an inner wall within the first chamber forming a second chamber, wherein the inner wall has a second air intake for flowing heated air at a temperature above the test temperature to the second chamber; (iii) a tube disposed within the second chamber; (iv) a first air intake within the inner wall for providing pressurized air at a temperature below a test temperature connected to the tube; (v) an exhaust port disposed through the housing in communication with the first chamber; (vi) a controller in communication with a first thermocouple adjacent the second air intake for monitoring heat air temperatures at the second air intake and in communication with a second thermocouple adjacent at the test specimen; and (vii) a closable opening in the housing for allowing the at least one test specimen to be placed in the first chamber; b. a burner for burning a fuel, in communication with a blower for forming heated air and for providing a variable flow of the heated air to the second air intake using a valve in communication with the controller; c. an air compressor for forming the pressurized air; and d. an air gun for receiving the pressurized air, blending the pressurized air with at least one abrading media and flowing the blended air to the tube disposed through the first air intake; wherein the blended air mixes with the heated air forming a mixed air at the test temperature for impacting with the test specimen.