The band heater is a ring-shaped heating device that clamps inside or outside the cylindrical element, allowing heat transfer via the conductive method. Band heaters are ideal for high temperatures environments and high-watt densities, like the plastic industry. Additionally, they are an indirect form of industrial heating as they provide safety when heating explosive and volatile substances. The industrial heating solution requires external indirect heating to surround the tubes and pipes. Band heaters come in various dimensions, materials, voltage, and wattage.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Band Heater
Band heaters are used in molding presses and extrusion, injecting nozzles and molding barrels, autoclaves, and heat treating. Before settling for a band heater, ensure they fit the purpose to maximize the band’s usage. Below are some important factors that should come to mind when selecting a band heater.
- The material you intend to heat
- Maximum watt density for the material
- The starting process temperature
- The final operating process temperature
- The target heat-up time
- The available voltage and phase
- The available material(mass) to be heated
Types of Band Heaters
There are different types of band heaters in the market based on design and features. They include:
Ceramic band heaters
There are designed with spirally wound inner resistant coils evenly threaded through interlocking ceramic tiles. This feature allows them to handle much heat, 1200-1400 °F (650-760 °C).
Advantages of ceramic band heaters
- They are excellent insulators, as they tend to conduct heat efficiently.
- You can reduce the number of bands available with a simplified wiring
- Since they operate in higher watt densities, they are suitable for wider increments
- The design is easy to install and remove
- Heat transfer is not affected by a loose fit or irregular surface
- It has built-in insulation that reduces the chance of a change in temperature within the barrel
The disadvantages of ceramic band heaters
- Since they conduct heat, they tend to hold onto the heat, making it difficult to control the temperature. This can cause overheating problems, especially if used in the plastic industry.
Mica Band Heaters
Mica band heaters are used in areas where there needs to be low maximum temperature. They can accommodate various hole and cut-out arrangements.
Advantages:
- They are chemical and water-resistant
- They are good heat insulators
- They have an excellent dielectric strength
- It’s corrosion-resistant
- The Mica Band Heaters For Sale are less expensive than most band heaters in the market
The disadvantages:
- They can break when subjected to extreme continuous temperatures.
Mineral Insulated Heaters
They are great for applications requiring high temperatures as they can exceed 2000 °F (1094 °C), but their standard operating point is around 1400 °F. The material used is Magnesium oxide that coats the band heater, providing excellent thermal conductivity.
The advantages:
- Low and high-watt densities allow them to heat up and cool down very quickly.
- They are energy efficient, like mica band heaters.
The Disadvantage:
- They have limited design variations.
- Magnesium oxide is a hygroscopic material that can reduce dielectric strength.
Now that you know about these heaters, go ahead and decide based on your intended use.
