Often our client’s thermal needs call for a customized heating solution from Kamet wherein we design bespoke heating assemblies in close collaboration with our partners. For example, our resistive mineral insulated heating elements can be cast in solid metal plates to ensure uniformity in the heating process.
However, Kamet also supplies a range of standard individual mineral insulated resistance heating elements. These are available as one-wire heating elements (internal reference CVX & CXX heaters) and two-wire heating elements (internal reference BVX & BXX heaters). The flexibility of these heaters means that the client has various mounting options to match their specific application for example, coiling, clamping, brazing or casting. On this page we provide more detailed information on these heaters including their properties and possible applications.
Kamet’s mineral insulated heating elements consist of one (in case of CVX or CXX heaters) or two (in case of BVX or BXX heaters) current-carrying conductors, insulated with magnesium oxide (MGO) and protected with a flexible metal sheath that has a minimum bending radius of 2xOD. The MI heating elements are often supplied with a conductive cold end. This conductive cold end is generally made of material with a much lower resistance value (e.g. copper or nickel). This cold end allows for easy termination.
Internal/seamless hot/cold transitions: means there is no difference in outer (sheath) diameter where hot and cold elements meet. The sheath is electro-etched where internal hot/cold splices are located.
High power density friendly: makes Kamet’s mineral insulated heating elements suitable for applications where the linear power in the heated zone is high (>100 W/m) and the cold ends can go through insulated walls without the concern of overheating.
Maximum working temperature
Tolerances
Heating liquids
– Submerge directly in the liquid to be heated
– Maximum power density: <9 W/cm^2 for standing liquid
– Maximum temperature: 980⁰C
NOTE: For applications with fast moving liquids, power density can be increased. Contact Kamet for advice in this regard.
Heating gases
– Commonly coiled and inserted inside a tube where gas moves over the coils or as oven heating element for harsh environments
– Maximum power density: <4.5 W/cm^2 for standing air
– Maximum temperature: 980⁰C
NOTE: For applications with fast moving gases, power density can be increased. Contact Kamet Trading to consult.
Radiant heat is one of the most common methods of heat transfer in a vacuum. Electric heaters need to be over 500°C before metal surfaces start to radiate heat away from the surface of the heater. Keeping that heat in the area of the process and away from the cold section of cable brings a new generation of efficiency to radiant vacuum process heating. The desired heating rate and required power will determine the mounting method. Vacuum applications bring particular challenges:
Contact us for more advice on this matter.
NOTE: For increased life time or heating uniformity, brazing or casting is recommended even if < 4.5 W/cm^2
Heating elements can be mounted onto all kinds of materials. Due to its flexibility, the heaters can be bent in several shapes to transfer heat effectively. The mounting can be done by wrapping the heating element around the object to be heated, but it can also be grooved or brazed onto a surface. The chosen mounting method depends on the desired heating rate and required power. The table below contains information on the parameters of various mounting methods for the mineral insulated heating elements.
| Power Density W/cm^2 | Temperature ⁰C | Mounting Method |
| < 3 | < 980 | Simple wrap & loose clamping is acceptable |
| 3 – 6 | < 300 | Simple wrap & loose clamping is acceptable |
| 3 – 6 | 300 – 600 | Must be clamped tightly to the object |
| 3 – 6 | 600 – 980 | Must be partially brazed or cast into the piece to be heated |
| 6 – 15 | < 980 | Must be completely soldered, brazed, or cast into the piece to be heated |
Not only do we offer these extensive testing options in partnership with ARi, but we also offer services through other partner companies such as vacuum brazing whereby the heater is cast into the customer’s required material.
Not only do we bring a range of services in partnership with ARi, but our customers also benefit from the extensive experience and know-how of our own team. We are on hand to answer all your queries and we can be relied on to respond within 24 hours. Although we are leading technical experts in this field, our team prides themselves on being approachable and ‘easy to do business with’.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact us with your particular heating needs.
