Kamet offers a wide range of high-end mineral insulated heating elements. We are specialists in providing (custom) heating solutions no matter how extreme the process or environment. Extremes in temperature, corrosive atmospheres, high power outputs and restricted spaces are just some of the challenges that our high-precision mineral insulated heating elements are designed to meet.
This page is a general introduction to our various mineral insulated heaters with links to more detailed product pages. We also highlight our (industry and/or process specific) custom made heating solutions.
You might like to read more about the following industries that are already making use of our expertise and (custom made) mineral insulated heaters:
In basic terms, a mineral insulated heater consists of a conductive and resistor wire, a hot-cold joint and cold lead wires with an appropriate safety seal. High quality magnesium oxide provides a non-reactive insulation. A range of sheath materials are available to match the demands of the process environment (e.g. extreme temperatures, corrosion, radiation, pressure, mechanical stresses or vacuum).
One of the advantages of mineral insulated heating cable is constant power output, independent of temperature variations. Temperatures of up to 800 °C can be achieved in environments with an exposed temperature of up to 1000 °C.
Mineral Insulated heaters are known as the most high-performance and durable in the world. They are ideally suited to applications where temperatures and power outputs exceed the limits of self-regulating and constant wattage heating cables. Mineral insulated heaters maintain accuracy even in extreme conditions.
Kamet stocks a wide variety of high quality MI heating products which can be used in thermal projects from different industries and environments. Often the more challenging applications require a customized solution. For both standard as well as bespoke products, our long-standing partnership with ARi Industries ensures our clients benefit from the highest quality products and advice, following leading-edge developments in the heating industry. ARi is an international company with more than 50 years of experience in mineral insulated products.
Our mineral insulated heating elements and mineral insulated heating cable can be grouped in the below design categories. Customization and semi-finished options are available for each type.
Kamet supplies a range of standard mineral insulated resistance heating elements. Resistance heating generates heat through the use of electric current. The current flows through the resistance wire which then heats up. The heat is transferred from the (mineral insulated) heating element to the environment by conduction, radiation or convection.
Kamet’s standard resistance elements are available as one-wire heating elements and two-wire heating elements.
In thermal applications where space is limited and every nanometer counts, these high-end mineral insulated microheaters can be supplied in diameters as small as 1mm. As a microheater supplier, Kamet’s standard and customized microheaters can be found, among others, in the semiconductor and aerospace industries.
Microheaters are available in a variety of specifications such that they can withstand a wide range of pressure and temperature (cryogenic to 1600°C). Microheaters can be coiled or bent into virtually any shape to fit even the most intricate assemblies.
Our heat tracing elements are made from Kamet’s wide range of mineral insulated heating cables. The heat tracing elements can further be configured into fully functional heat tracing assemblies suited to a variety of applications by selecting the appropriate specifications and properties of the extensive heating cable range.
Heat tracing assemblies can be laser welded or soldered and are an extremely reliable temperature maintenance system, also in extreme environments.
Applications include process heating within the petrochemical and oil and gas industries as well as temperature maintenance on pipelines, cryogenic storage tanks, power plants and machinery. In general these are industries where a high power output is required along with durability in adverse environments.
As the name implies, tubular heaters, also known as radiant heaters, are tube-shaped. Their flexibility is a unique characteristic which means they can be implemented in a huge range of electric heating applications. Although they can be produced in very small sizes, they are nonetheless extremely high powered, giving excellent thermal response speeds and temperatures of around 850°C.They allow for excellent heat transfer by conduction, convection or radiant heating. Tubular heaters are suited to heating solids, gases and liquids.
As with all our heaters, different sheath materials and terminations are available. This makes our tubular heaters both extremely rugged as well as easy to install.
Thermionic cathode heaters are critical components for the electric propulsion of spacecraft through ion thrusters. A cathode heater is a heated wire that heats the cathode in a vacuum tube or cathode ray tube. On a spacecraft, the internal cathode element has to achieve the required temperature in order to attain the excitation energy required to initiate plasma flow (up to 1600°C). On the outside of the spacecraft is a neutralizer cathode that ensures the emitted beam is inactivated, preventing damage to the external structure. Each of these essential thermionic cathodes require a heater for operation. Of course it is critically important that heating is both accurate, reliable and durable in the extreme environment of space. Our especially designed cathode heaters meet all these criteria, and can be found in various aerospace projects, including one of the Mars rovers.
Wafer processing is an important aspect of semiconductor industries. Kamet designs and supplies mineral insulated wafer heaters (also known as substrate, disc or plate heaters) for thin-film deposition systems such as CVD, PVD and ALD. In these critical conditions temperature uniformity is essential and our (custom-made) products and advice can be relied on to ensure this.
Metal-to-ceramic heating connectors are crucial to ensure a safe and reliable electrical connection for mineral insulated heaters. These ceramic power connectors are constructed to match the same extreme environments as the heater (e.g. high temperatures and vacuums) and while ensuring an excellent seal with the power cable, which is often connecting from a different environment to the heater.
Kamet’s ceramic power connectors are specifically designed by our German partner company, ThermoExpert, to match our top-class range of ARi heating elements.
As mentioned before, the majority of our clients require a customized heating solution to achieve optimal results. At Kamet, one of our most important products is our expertise, experience and extensive knowledge. Our engineers strive to translate this know-how into high-end, yet economical custom thermal solutions.
Furthermore, we specialize in designing custom made plate heaters for specific industries such as coating deposition systems, metal transformation and food packaging. The function and environment are the driving variables that determine the custom made heater. We are also able to include thermocouples into the designs to allow for accurate temperature sensing and monitoring.
Our mineral insulated heat tracing assemblies are preferred for a number of reasons. These include:
No project is too small for us!
General characteristics of Kamet that our long-standing customers value include: the multilingual nature of our team, our quick response time, clear communication and reliability. Our problem-solving approach and innovative focus keeps us at the leading edge of the field. Additionally, the junctions of the heater are connected by lasering technology, ensuring excellent quality.
Kamet’s mineral insulated heating cables are produced by two of our closest partners: Okazaki manufacturing company and ARi industries. Okazaki manufacturing company is the world’s largest mineral insulated cable manufacturer. With six factory locations, Okazaki maintains a large production capacity. Additionally, Kamet also offers mineral insulated heating cables produced by ARi Industries. ARi Industries is a leading supplier of customized mineral insulated cables and heating solutions, located in the USA. The products of both these companies meet all quality standards and norms and offer full traceability.
Thermal challenges can be a complex business. Contact our in-house engineers today and they will be able to clarify the range of mineral insulated heating solutions available to you.
