The Center for Innovative Sintered Products at Penn State, State College, Pa., successfully launched the Kanto Yakin Kogyo (KYK) Oxynon furnace in late August 2002. The 225-mm (9-in.) wide graphite belt furnace is capable of 2000C sintering. It uses no flammable gases in its operation, yet creates reducing conditions of continuous sintering of strategic materials like titanium, tungsten-copper, Kovar, Invar and Inconel. The equipment is available to companies for experimental purposes.