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A Nickel base alloy we commonly use is 80 Ni, 20 Cr (80% Nickel, 20% Chromium). Resistance heating alloys contain varying proportions of chemical elements depending upon the wire you order and who makes it. Elements such as Copper, Nickel, Aluminum, Molybdenum, Iron, and Tungsten as well as alloys containing combinations of these elements are used. Heaters that operate below this range can be made from a much wider range of materials. They have the ability to produce temperatures hot enough to get the element to glow red hot, in the neighborhood of 1112☏ (600☌) and above. Heating elements found in common appliances are made from metallic resistance alloys such as Fe-Cr-Al and Ni-Cr(Fe). Many heater design challenges arise as the properties of various heating element materials tend to change based on conditions. Temperature-dependent differences such as electrical resistance and thermal expansion will vary depending upon the material. These material properties are necessary considerations when choosing the best solution for an application. The multi-talented craftsman who determines the alloy and gives the heater it forms is the heater design engineer.Īll metal heating elements have physical, thermal, electrical, and metallurgical properties. Alloy and insulators must be manipulated to become a useful component that serves a heating purpose. It is also known as Joule Heating.ĭesigned to Serve a Purpose: A heating element is more than its material makeup. When heat is produced in this way we call it Resistive Heating. Wire terminals safely connect the heater coils to the circuit.Įlectrically Conductive: The fundamental core of an electric heater is the heating element alloy within that turns electrical energy into heat energy when subjected to a current. It is the part of a heater where the electrical load occurs. In the case of an open coil heater, for example, the heating alloy is typically held or suspended by mica or ceramic insulators. It is an assemblage of parts that includes a framework of insulating material as well as lead connectors. Let's break that down.Ĭomponent: A heating element is more than the heating alloy alone. A heating element is a component composed of both electrically conductive as well as insulating material, designed to serve a heating purpose.