In many cases, certain stainless steels and titanium are heat treated in a protective gas atmosphere at temperatures below 850 °C.

By using a protective gas box with the corresponding process gas supply, a standard furnace can be upgraded to a protective gas furnace. Depending on the type of process gas, the preflushing rate, the process flushing rate, and the condition of the box, it is possible to achieve residual oxygen concentrations of up to 100 ppm.

The forced convection chamber furnaces with protective gas boxes described below have a working temperature range between 150 °C and 850 °C. If the protective gas boxes are removed from the furnace, aluminum or steel components can also be heat treated in air.