Tubular Heater
Tubular heaters are the most versatile, durable, and widely used electric
heating elements in the world. They consist of a metal tube containing a
precision resistance wire, which can be straight or bent into custom shapes
(like U-shapes, hairpins, or complex coils) to heat air, liquids, gases, or solid
surfaces.
How They Work and Construction
A tubular heater is built to be rugged and highly adaptable
- The Core: A high-grade Nickel-Chromium (Ni-Cr 80/20) resistance wire generates heat when an electrical current passes through it.
- Insulation: The wire is centered inside a metal tube and packed with high-purity magnesium oxide (MgO) powder. The assembly is then mechanically compressed (swaged) to ensure dense electrical insulation and fast heat transfer.
- The Sheath: The outer metal casing is selected based on the operating environment. Common choices include Copper (for water), Stainless Steel (SS304/SS316 for general use), Incoloy (for high-temperature air or chemicals), and Titanium (for highly corrosive acids).
Parameter Standard Range / Specification
Operating Temperature Up to 850°C (1560°F) maximum on the sheath
Standard Diameters 6.5mm, 8mm, 11mm, 14mm, and 16mm are industrial standards
