You've just installed new MoSi2 heating elements in your dental sintering furnace. Before loading that first batch of zirconia restorations, there's one critical step you must not skip: the burn-in procedure (also called conditioning or seasoning).

This initial conditioning cycle is essential for developing the protective layer that will protect your elements throughout their service life. Skip this step, and you risk contamination of your restorations, premature element failure, and inconsistent sintering results.

This comprehensive guide explains what burn-in is, why it's necessary, and exactly how to perform it correctly for maximum element lifespan and performance.

What is Burn-In (Conditioning)?

Definition

Burn-in, also called conditioning or seasoning, is the process of heating new MoSi2 heating elements to high temperature in an empty furnace to:

1. Form the protective SiO2 (silica glass) layer on the element surface
2. Burn off manufacturing residues and oils from handling
3. Stabilize the element structure before production use
4. Verify proper installation and performance

Why New Elements Need Burn-In

Fresh MoSi2 Surface: When newly manufactured, MoSi2 elements have a bare metallic surface without the protective silica layer that forms during high-temperature operation.

Without Burn-In:

• No protective layer exists yet
• Manufacturing residues remain on surface
• These residues can vaporize and contaminate restorations
• Uncontrolled initial oxidation may occur
• Element performance unpredictable

After Proper Burn-In:

• Transparent protective SiO2 layer formed
• All residues burned off cleanly
• Stable, predictable element behavior
• Ready for contamination-free sintering

What Happens During Burn-In

The Oxidation Process:

At high temperatures (>1200°C) in air, MoSi2 undergoes controlled oxidation:

Chemical Reaction:

2 MoSi2 + 7 O2 → 2 MoO3 + 4 SiO2

At Operating Temperature (1400-1600°C):

• Volatile MoO3 evaporates away
• SiO2 (silica glass) remains on surface
• This SiO2 layer is protective and transparent
• Layer slows further oxidation (self-limiting process)

Result: A thin, transparent, protective glass coating that:

• Protects underlying MoSi2 from rapid oxidation
• Allows heat radiation for sintering
• Self-heals minor damage during operation
• Extends element service life significantly

Why Burn-In is Critical for Dental Applications

1. Prevents Contamination

Manufacturing Residues: New elements may have traces of:

• Machining oils or lubricants
• Handling residues from production
• Packaging materials
• Surface contaminants from shipping

Without Burn-In: These residues vaporize during first heating and can:

• Deposit on zirconia restorations
• Cause discoloration or spots
• Affect sintering quality
• Create aesthetic failures requiring remakes

After Burn-In:

• All volatile residues burned off in empty furnace
• Clean, stable surface ready for production
• No contamination risk to patient restorations

2. Establishes Protective Layer

The SiO2 Protective Layer:

This transparent glasslike coating is essential for element longevity.

Formation Requirements:

• Temperature >1000°C (optimal 1400-1600°C)
• Oxygen atmosphere (normal air)
• Sufficient time for complete coverage (1-2 hours)
• Controlled heating to prevent thermal shock

Without Proper Formation:

• Rapid, uncontrolled oxidation
• Accelerated element consumption
• Reduced service life (potentially 30-50% shorter)
• Risk of pest oxidation if used at low temperatures first

With Proper Burn-In:

• Uniform, complete protective layer
• Optimized oxidation resistance
• Maximum expected element lifespan
• Stable, predictable performance

3. Verifies Installation Quality

Burn-In as System Check:

The conditioning cycle serves as a comprehensive test:

Electrical System:

• Verifies all connections are secure
• Tests element resistance is correct
• Confirms no shorts or ground faults
• Validates power delivery

Heating Performance:

• Confirms furnace reaches target temperature
• Verifies heating rate is appropriate
• Tests temperature uniformity
• Validates controller operation

Element Integrity:

• No cracking from installation stress
• Proper element positioning maintained
• No contact with chamber walls
• Elements survived installation undamaged

Better to Discover Problems:

• During empty conditioning cycle
• Than with $500-1000 worth of patient restorations in furnace
• When you can still make corrections easily

4. Stabilizes Element Structure

Material Stabilization:

New MoSi2 elements undergo structural changes during first heating:

Grain Structure:

• Initial grain boundaries stabilize
• Thermal equilibrium established
• Residual manufacturing stresses relieved

Dimensional Stability:

• Any minor dimension changes occur
• Element reaches stable geometry
• Support positioning settles

Electrical Properties:

• Resistance stabilizes at operating values
• Contact connections establish firmly
• Current distribution normalizes

Result: Predictable, consistent element behavior from first production cycle forward.

The Correct Burn-In Procedure

Critical Temperature Considerations

The Pest Oxidation Zone (400-700°C):

⚠️ CRITICAL: Don't use the furnace at 400-700°C temperature range for a long time because MoSi2 heating elements will be easily oxidized in this temperature range and can be powdered and damaged.

Why This Zone is Dangerous:

• Different oxidation chemistry occurs
• Forms MoO3 (yellow powder) instead of protective SiO2
• Material becomes porous and weak
• Can cause catastrophic element failure
• Yellow deposits contaminate restorations

How to Avoid:

• Heat quickly through this zone (10-15°C/minute minimum)
• Never hold or stop heating in this range
• Continuous ramp from room temperature to >1200°C

Walla BC Recommended Burn-In Procedure

Single-Cycle Method (Recommended for Most Applications):

Preparation:

1. Verify installation is complete and correct
2. Ensure furnace is completely empty (no trays, supports, or restorations)
3. Close and seal furnace properly
4. Verify power supply connected

Program Settings:

• Starting Temperature: Room temperature (20-25°C)
• Heating Rate: 10-15°C/minute
• Target Temperature: 1550-1600°C
• Hold Time: 1-2 hours
• Cooling: Natural cooling (no forced cooling)

Step-by-Step:

1. Start Empty: Ensure furnace is completely empty
2. Program Controller:

   Room Temp → 10-15°C/min → 1550-1600°C → Hold 1-2 hours → Natural Cool

3. Start Cycle: Initiate heating program
4. Monitor Initial Heating:
   • Watch first 30 minutes closely
   • Listen for unusual sounds
   • Look for arcing or sparking (stop immediately if observed)
   • Slight odor during first heating is normal (residues burning off)
5. Through Pest Zone (400-700°C):
   • Heating should be continuous and steady
   • No pauses or holds in this range
   • Typically takes 30-50 minutes to pass through
6. Reach Target Temperature:
   • Verify furnace reaches 1550-1600°C
   • Temperature should rise smoothly without excessive overshoot
   • Controller should stabilize at setpoint
7. Hold Phase (1-2 hours):
   • Temperature remains stable at peak
   • This allows complete protective layer formation
   • Element surface oxidizes uniformly
   • All volatile residues fully burned off
8. Natural Cooling:
   • Allow furnace to cool naturally
   • Don't open door or force cooling
   • Don't start another cycle until completely cool
   • Typical cool-down: 6-8 hours to room temperature
9. Post-Burn-In Inspection:
   • Open furnace once fully cooled
   • Inspect element appearance
   • Look for proper SiO2 layer formation (see next section)
   • Verify no damage occurred

What You Should Observe:

During heating:

• ✓ Smooth, continuous temperature rise
• ✓ No unusual sounds or arcing
• ✓ Slight odor during first 400-800°C (manufacturing residues - normal)
• ✓ Clean, odorless operation above 1000°C

After burn-in:

• ✓ Elements should have uniform, transparent to slightly gray appearance
• ✓ Smooth surface texture
• ✓ No cracks, chips, or breaks
• ✓ No yellow deposits (if yellow present, see troubleshooting)

Alternative: Conservative Two-Cycle Method

For Maximum Assurance or High-Value Elements:

Some laboratories prefer a more gradual approach:

First Cycle:

• Temperature: 1300°C
• Hold time: 1 hour
• Purpose: Initial layer formation and residue burn-off

Second Cycle (Next Day):

• Temperature: 1550-1600°C
• Hold time: 1-2 hours
• Purpose: Complete protective layer development

When to Use:

• Very expensive custom element sets
• Critical application where failure is unacceptable
• Furnaces that will run high-value materials
• When extra assurance is desired

Advantages:

• More gradual element conditioning
• Reduced thermal stress
• Extra verification of element integrity

Disadvantages:

• Takes two days instead of one
• More energy consumption
• Minimal actual benefit for quality elements

Walla BC Recommendation: The single-cycle method is sufficient for Walla1800 grade elements. The two-cycle method offers minimal additional benefit unless you have specific concerns.

Inspecting Burn-In Results

What Proper Burn-In Looks Like

Successful Conditioning Indicators:

Visual Appearance:

• Color: Transparent to light gray uniform coating
• Texture: Smooth, slightly glossy surface
• Uniformity: Consistent appearance across all elements
• Cleanliness: No deposits, contamination, or discoloration

The Protective SiO2 Layer: Generally, the SiO2 protective glass layer is transparent. This is the desired result.

Performance:

• Furnace reached target temperature easily
• Heating time within normal range
• Temperature stable during hold phase
• No unusual controller behavior

Warning Signs Requiring Attention

Yellow Discoloration:

What it Means: If the surface appears yellowish instead of transparent, this indicates the heating element MoSi2 was used too long in the low temperature range (400-700°C) during burn-in.

Cause:

• Heating rate too slow through pest zone
• Program paused or held in 400-700°C range
• Pest oxidation occurred
• Yellow MoO3 formed instead of transparent SiO2

Solution: You need to adjust the sintering curve to pass through this temperature zone quickly.

Corrective Burn-In:

1. Run another empty cycle
2. Use faster heating rate: 15°C/minute minimum
3. No holds between room temperature and 1200°C
4. Target 1600°C for 2 hours
5. This should convert yellow MoO3 to transparent SiO2

If Yellow Persists:

• May need professional consultation
• Verify controller programming correct
• Check heating rate actually achieved
• Consider element quality (use Walla1800 grade)

Uneven Coloration:

What it Means: MoSi2 heating elements should always be of the same color. If this is not the case, further conditioning may be necessary.

Causes:

• Uneven heating across elements
• Some elements heating more than others
• Possible electrical imbalance
• Installation issues

Solution:

• Run additional conditioning cycle
• Verify all electrical connections equal tightness
• Check element resistance measurements
• Ensure proper element positioning

Visible Damage:

Cracks or Breaks:

• Stop immediately - do not use
• Element damaged during installation or burn-in
• Indicates either installation error or defective element
• Replace before any production use

If Damage Appears:

1. Document with photographs
2. Contact Walla BC technical support
3. Provide installation and burn-in details
4. Arrange replacement under warranty if applicable

Common Burn-In Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1: Skipping Burn-In Entirely

What Happens: "I need to start production immediately, I'll skip the conditioning cycle."

Consequences:

• First batch of restorations may be contaminated
• Yellow or brown spots on zirconia
• Possible remake costs $500-2000
• Element performance unpredictable
• Shorter element lifespan

Correct Approach:

• Always perform burn-in on new elements
• Plan installation during low-production period
• Burn-in cycle is non-negotiable
• One day of delay prevents weeks of problems

Mistake #2: Loading Restorations During Burn-In

What Happens: "I'll burn in the elements while sintering some crowns to save time."

Consequences:

• Restorations contaminated by manufacturing residues
• Unpredictable sintering results
• Color variations or surface defects
• Complete batch may need to be remade
• Patient care compromised
• Costly remakes and reputation damage

Correct Approach:

• Burn-in must always be performed with empty furnace
• No trays, supports, or any materials in chamber
• One conditioning cycle, then production use
• Patience prevents expensive mistakes

Mistake #3: Incorrect Temperature Profile

Wrong Program Examples:

Too Slow Through Pest Zone:

❌ Room Temp → 5°C/min → 500°C (hold 30 min) → continue to 1600°C

Problem: Extended time at 500°C causes pest oxidation and yellow deposits

Insufficient Peak Temperature:

❌ Room Temp → 10°C/min → 1200°C (hold 2 hours) → cool

Problem: Temperature too low for complete SiO2 layer formation

Too Short Hold Time:

❌ Room Temp → 10°C/min → 1600°C (hold 15 min) → cool

Problem: Insufficient time for uniform protective layer development

Correct Program:

✓ Room Temp → 10-15°C/min → 1550-1600°C (hold 1-2 hours) → natural cool

Why it Works:

• Fast through pest zone (400-700°C)
• High enough for complete SiO2 formation
• Adequate time for uniform layer development
• Natural cooling prevents thermal stress

Mistake #4: Forced Cooling After Burn-In

What Some Do: "I need the furnace tomorrow, I'll open the door to cool it faster."

Problems:

• Rapid cooling creates thermal stress
• Can crack newly conditioned elements
• Damages protective layer formation
• Increases risk of immediate failure

Correct Approach:

• Always allow natural cooling
• Don't open furnace door until <200°C
• Typically 6-8 hours cool-down required
• Plan burn-in timing accordingly

Mistake #5: Not Inspecting Results

What Happens: Burn-in cycle completes, immediately start production without checking results.

Risk:

• Didn't verify protective layer formed properly
• May have missed yellow deposits
• Possible element damage undetected
• Quality issues in first production batches

Correct Approach:

• Always inspect elements after burn-in
• Verify transparent/light gray appearance
• Check for yellow deposits
• Document condition with photos
• Run corrective cycle if needed before production

Mistake #6: Inadequate Electrical Testing

What Some Skip: "Installation looked good, burn-in completed, ready for production."

Risk:

• Loose connections not detected
• Resistance imbalance not measured
• Temperature uniformity not verified
• Problems emerge during production

Correct Approach: Before Burn-In:

• Measure element resistance
• Test insulation to ground
• Verify connections tight
• Document baseline values

After Burn-In:

• Re-measure resistance (should be similar)
• Verify temperature uniformity
• Check all connections still tight
• Compare performance to specifications

Special Considerations for Different Furnaces

Multi-Element Furnaces

Challenges:

• Multiple elements must burn in uniformly
• Electrical balance critical
• Temperature uniformity across large chamber

Procedure Adjustments:

Pre-Burn-In:

• Measure resistance of each element individually
• Verify all within ±2% of each other
• If significant mismatch, investigate before proceeding

During Burn-In:

• Monitor temperature at multiple chamber locations
• Verify all zones heating equally
• Check for hot or cold spots

Post-Burn-In:

• Comprehensive temperature mapping
• Verify uniformity within ±5°C across chamber
• May need controller adjustment if non-uniform

Replacing Single Elements

Mixing New and Old Elements:

Under normal use, the resistance of a MoSi2 heating element does not change, and you can mix new and old elements together.

Burn-In with Mixed Ages:

Option 1: In-Place Burn-In (Typical)

1. Install new element alongside existing elements
2. Run standard burn-in cycle
3. Old elements not harmed by extra cycle
4. New element properly conditioned
5. System ready for production

Option 2: Isolated Burn-In (Conservative) Some technicians prefer:

1. Remove old elements temporarily
2. Install and burn in new element alone
3. Reinstall old elements
4. More work, minimal actual benefit

Walla BC Recommendation: In-place burn-in is perfectly acceptable. Old elements experience one more high-temperature cycle, which has negligible impact on their remaining life.

What to Monitor:

• Temperature uniformity after mixed burn-in
• Any performance changes
• Quality of first production batches
• Consider complete set replacement if uniformity issues

High-Temperature Furnaces (>1600°C)

For Ultra-Translucent Zirconia Applications:

Burn-In Adjustment:

• Target temperature: 1650-1700°C
• Hold time: 1.5-2 hours
• Slower cooling due to higher peak temperature

Special Considerations:

• Walla1800 elements rated to 1800°C
• Standard elements may not be suitable
• Verify element specification matches application
• Extended burn-in time at extreme temperatures

After Burn-In: First Production Cycles

Breaking In Production Use

First Production Cycle Recommendations:

Test Batch:

• Use non-critical restorations if possible
• Small batch (3-5 pieces)
• Simple geometries
• Material you're familiar with

Why Test First:

• Verify sintering quality normal
• Confirm temperature uniformity adequate
• Ensure no contamination issues
• Build confidence in new element performance

Monitor Closely:

• Inspect results carefully
• Compare to previous batches from before element replacement
• Check for any unusual characteristics
• Document heating time and performance

If Test Batch Successful:

• Proceed to normal production
• Continue monitoring quality closely
• Document performance for future reference

If Issues Appear:

• Don't continue production
• Analyze problem source
• May need corrective burn-in
• Contact Walla BC technical support if needed

First Week Monitoring

Increased Attention Period:

During first 5-10 production cycles with new elements:

Quality Checks:

• Inspect every restoration carefully
• Compare translucency, color, surface finish
• Note any variations from normal
• Document any unusual characteristics

Performance Tracking:

• Record heating time each cycle
• Monitor energy consumption
• Note temperature stability
• Track any controller behaviors

Visual Inspections:

• Check element appearance after each cycle
• Look for any developing issues
• Verify protective layer remains intact
• Monitor for unexpected changes

What's Normal:

• Slight variations as elements "settle in"
• Minor heating time differences (±5%)
• Gradual performance stabilization
• Improved consistency over first few cycles

Warning Signs:

• Significant quality variations
• Excessive heating time differences
• Temperature instability
• Visible element changes

Troubleshooting Burn-In Issues

Problem: Yellow Deposits on Elements

Diagnosis: Element spent too long at 400-700°C during burn-in.

Cause:

• Heating rate too slow
• Program held in pest zone
• Controller malfunction
• Incorrect programming

Solution:

1. Run corrective burn-in cycle:
   • 15°C/minute minimum heating rate
   • No holds until above 1200°C
   • 1600°C for 2 hours
   • Natural cooling
2. Verify controller programming:
   • Check actual vs. programmed heating rate
   • Ensure no inadvertent holds set
   • Verify controller functioning correctly
3. Inspect after corrective cycle:
   • Should now show transparent SiO2 layer
   • If yellow persists, contact technical support

Prevention:

• Use recommended heating rate (10-15°C/min)
• Double-check program before starting
• Monitor initial heating phase
• Avoid slow heating programs

Problem: Uneven Element Appearance

Diagnosis: Elements show different colors or surface characteristics.

Possible Causes:

Electrical Imbalance:

• Elements have different resistance values
• Unequal current distribution
• Some elements heating more than others

Solution:

• Measure resistance of each element
• Compare values (should be within ±2%)
• If significant difference, may need element replacement
• Check electrical connections for equal tightness

Poor Positioning:

• Elements not uniformly spaced
• Some closer to chamber walls
• Airflow variations

Solution:

• Verify proper element positioning
• Check spacing is uniform
• Ensure elements centered in chamber
• Adjust if necessary and re-burn-in

Air Flow Issues:

• Blocked vents affecting some elements
• Chamber design limitations

Solution:

• Verify all vents clear
• Check furnace design specifications
• May be normal for some furnace types
• If performance acceptable, may not require correction

Problem: Furnace Won't Reach Target Temperature

During burn-in cycle, furnace stops heating below target.

Possible Causes:

Insufficient Power:

• New elements require full power capacity
• Controller limiting output
• Electrical supply inadequate

Diagnosis:

• Check controller error messages
• Verify power supply voltage
• Measure actual current draw
• Compare to furnace specifications

Solution:

• Verify electrical service adequate (voltage, amperage)
• Check circuit breakers not tripping
• Ensure controller set for full power output
• May need electrician if supply inadequate

Element Problem:

• Element damaged during installation
• Open circuit in one or more elements
• Incorrect element specification

Diagnosis:

• Measure resistance of each element
• Check for infinite resistance (open circuit)
• Verify elements match furnace specifications

Solution:

• Replace any failed elements
• Verify using correct element type
• Contact Walla BC if specification questions

Controller Issue:

• Temperature limit set too low
• Controller malfunction
• Program error

Diagnosis:

• Check all controller settings
• Verify high limit not engaged
• Review program parameters

Solution:

• Adjust controller settings
• Reset controller if needed
• Reprogram if necessary
• Contact furnace manufacturer if controller suspect

Problem: Arcing or Sparking Observed

During burn-in, visible electrical arcing seen.

Action: STOP IMMEDIATELY - Shut down furnace

This is Serious:

• Indicates electrical problem
• Can damage elements permanently
• Fire/safety hazard
• Must be corrected before proceeding

Possible Causes:

Loose Connections:

• Terminal screws not tight
• Poor contact between surfaces
• Aluminum straps improperly installed

Check:

• Power down completely
• Allow full cooling
• Inspect all electrical connections
• Tighten any loose connections
• Clean contact surfaces

Damaged Elements:

• Cracked element creating short
• Element touching chamber wall or other element
• Terminal damage from installation

Check:

• Visually inspect all elements carefully
• Look for cracks, chips, breaks
• Verify proper spacing maintained
• Check no contact with chamber

Contamination:

• Foreign material on electrical connections
• Conductive debris in chamber

Check:

• Clean all electrical contacts thoroughly
• Remove any debris from chamber
• Verify chamber cleanliness

Solution:

• Correct identified problem
• Re-inspect thoroughly
• Restart burn-in carefully
• Monitor closely for recurrence
• If problem persists, contact technical support

Problem: Strange Odors During Burn-In

What's Normal:

400-800°C Range:

• Slight odor is normal during first heating
• Manufacturing residues burning off
• Oils, handling residues evaporating
• Should be mild, not strong or acrid

Above 1000°C:

• Should be odorless
• Clean oxidation process
• No volatile materials remaining

What's NOT Normal:

Strong Chemical Smell:

• May indicate contamination
• Possible wrong material in furnace
• Stop and investigate source

Burning Plastic Smell:

• Check for foreign materials
• Verify no packaging material left inside
• Inspect wiring and insulation

Continuous Strong Odor:

• Should decrease as burn-in proceeds
• If persisting above 1000°C, investigate
• May indicate problem with furnace itself

Action for Unusual Odors:

1. Note temperature when odor strongest
2. If concerned, stop cycle and investigate
3. Open after cooling and inspect thoroughly
4. Contact technical support if unsure
5. Don't proceed if strong chemical odors persist

Documentation and Record Keeping

Burn-In Record Template

Essential Information to Document:

MOSI2 HEATING ELEMENT BURN-IN RECORD

Furnace Information:
- Model: _________________
- Serial Number: _________________
- Element Type: Walla1800 MoSi2
- Number of Elements: _____

Installation Date: _______________
Installer Name: _______________

Pre-Burn-In Electrical Testing:
- Element 1 Resistance: _____ Ω
- Element 2 Resistance: _____ Ω  
- Element 3 Resistance: _____ Ω
- Element 4 Resistance: _____ Ω
- Insulation Resistance (to ground): _____ MΩ

Burn-In Program Used:
- Heating Rate: _____ °C/minute
- Target Temperature: _____ °C
- Hold Time: _____ hours
- Start Time: _____
- End Time: _____

Observations During Burn-In:
- Temperature reached target: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Heating smooth and continuous: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Any unusual sounds: ☐ Yes ☐ No (Details: _______)
- Any odors: ☐ Yes ☐ No (Details: _______)
- Any arcing observed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Controller functioned normally: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Post-Burn-In Inspection:
- Element appearance: ☐ Transparent/Light Gray ☐ Yellow ☐ Other: _____
- Surface uniform: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- No visible damage: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Protective layer formed: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Post-Burn-In Testing:
- Element resistances unchanged: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Temperature uniformity: ±_____ °C
- Within specification (±5°C): ☐ Yes ☐ No

Photos Attached: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Actions Taken:
☐ Burn-in successful - approved for production use
☐ Corrective burn-in required (Reason: _______)
☐ Element replacement needed (Reason: _______)
☐ Technical support contacted

Next Inspection Due: _______________

Technician Signature: _______________ Date: _______

Why Documentation Matters

Quality Assurance:

• Proves proper conditioning performed
• Supports laboratory accreditation
• Demonstrates professional standards

Warranty Protection:

• Documents element properly installed
• Shows manufacturer procedures followed
• Supports warranty claims if needed

Performance Tracking:

• Baseline for future comparisons
• Trend analysis over element life
• Predictive maintenance planning

Troubleshooting:

• Reference if problems develop later
• Helps diagnose issues
• Supports technical support requests

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I skip burn-in if I'm in a hurry?

A: No. Burn-in is non-negotiable for proper element performance and contamination-free sintering. The one day invested in conditioning prevents weeks of quality problems and potential remakes costing far more than the time saved.

Q: How long does burn-in take total?

A: Plan for approximately 16-18 hours total:

• Heating phase: 2-3 hours (to 1550-1600°C at 10-15°C/min)
• Hold phase: 1-2 hours
• Cooling phase: 12-14 hours (to room temperature)

Typically, start burn-in at end of workday, runs overnight, inspectable next day.

Q: What if elements turn yellow during burn-in?

A: Yellow coloration indicates pest oxidation from too much time at 400-700°C. Run a corrective cycle with faster heating rate (15°C/min) to 1600°C for 2 hours. This should convert yellow MoO3 to transparent SiO2. Verify heating program correct for future cycles.

Q: Do I need to burn-in when replacing just one element?

A: Yes. Even a single new element requires burn-in. You can run the burn-in cycle with the new element installed alongside existing elements. Old elements are not harmed by the extra high-temperature cycle.

Q: Can I run burn-in at lower temperature to save energy?

A: No. Temperature must be 1550-1600°C for proper SiO2 layer formation. Lower temperatures (e.g., 1200-1400°C) won't form adequate protective layer, defeating the purpose of burn-in. The energy cost of proper burn-in is minimal compared to element cost and lifespan impact.

Q: What if furnace won't reach 1600°C during burn-in?

A: This indicates a problem requiring investigation:

• Check electrical connections all tight
• Verify power supply adequate
• Measure element resistances
• Check controller settings
• May need technical support

Don't proceed with production use until issue resolved.

Q: How do I know burn-in was successful?

A: Successful burn-in shows:

• Elements have transparent to light gray uniform appearance
• Furnace reached target temperature easily
• Temperature remained stable during hold
• No yellow deposits present
• No visible element damage
• Temperature uniformity within ±5°C across chamber

Q: Is one burn-in cycle enough, or should I do multiple?

A: For Walla1800 grade elements, one properly executed burn-in cycle is sufficient. A second cycle provides minimal additional benefit unless you observed yellow deposits or uneven coloration after the first cycle.

Q: Can I use restorations during the first production cycle after burn-in?

A: Yes, but we recommend a small test batch of non-critical items first to verify everything is functioning correctly. If test batch results are normal, proceed with regular production.

Conclusion

Proper burn-in of new MoSi2 heating elements is a critical step that ensures:

✓ Contamination-free sintering from first production cycle ✓ Protective SiO2 layer formation for maximum element lifespan
✓ Installation verification before valuable restorations at risk ✓ Optimal performance throughout element service life

The Walla BC Burn-In Protocol:

Simple, Effective, Proven:

1. Empty furnace completely
2. Heat at 10-15°C/minute to 1550-1600°C
3. Hold for 1-2 hours
4. Natural cooling
5. Inspect results before production use

Critical Points to Remember:

⚠️ Never skip burn-in - one day prevents weeks of problems
⚠️ Always empty furnace - no restorations during conditioning
⚠️ Pass quickly through 400-700°C - avoid pest oxidation
⚠️ Allow natural cooling - forced cooling damages elements
⚠️ Inspect results - verify transparent protective layer formed

Expected Results:

After proper burn-in, your Walla1800 MoSi2 heating elements will:

• Have complete transparent SiO2 protective layer
• Be ready for contamination-free sintering
• Provide 3-5 years of reliable service
• Deliver consistent, high-quality results

Order Walla1800 MoSi2 Heating Elements

Premium Quality for Dental Applications: Visit wallabconline.com/collections/mosi2-heating-elements

Why Choose Walla1800 Elements:

• Maximum operating temperature: 1800°C
• Optimal for dental sintering (1500-1600°C)
• Superior material purity for extended life
• Precision manufacturing (±0.1mm tolerances)
• Pre-tested quality assurance
• Custom protective packaging

Technical Support Available: Email: info@wallabconline.com

Our team can help you:

• Verify correct burn-in procedure
• Troubleshoot conditioning issues
• Optimize element performance
• Plan maintenance schedules

Walla BC - Starting Right for Lasting Performance