Silicone Rubber Heaters are available as wire wound or etched foil. Wire wound elements consist of the resistance wire wound on a fiberglass cord for support and stability. Etched foil heaters are made with a thin metal foil (.001”) as the resistance element. Wire wound is recommended and preferred for small to medium size quantities, medium to large sized heaters, and to produce prototypes to prove out the design parameters prior to entering into large volume production runs with etched foil.

 

 Wire-Wound Element Construction

 

Silicone Rubber heaters with wire-wound elements provide excellent physical strength capable of withstanding repeated flexing without compromising the life and performance of the heater. They are also very effective for manufacturing geometrically challenged shapes, including three dimensional ones. The wire-wound process is recommended and preferred for small to medium size quantities, medium to large size heaters, and to produce prototypes to prove out the design parameters prior to entering into large volume production runs when using etched foil.

 

Etched Foil Element Construction

 

The etched foil heater has exceptional heat transfer compared to wire wound elements, due to its large flat surface area. It can deliver more uniform heat profiles with higher watt densities, providing longer operating heater life. It can also be zoned with distributed wattage or separate heating circuits to compensate for load variations. The etched foil process is recommended for small size heaters in large quantities.

 

Features & Benefits

 

Designed to the exact shape and size needed which conforms to the component and/or equipment

Constructed with wire-wound or etched foil elements provides the desired flexibility for many dynamic applications and delivers low mass and easily repeatable distributed watt densities

Moisture and chemical-resistant silicone rubber material provides longer heater life

Vulcanizing adhesives or fasteners allows heaters to be easily bonded to parts

 

Specifications

 

• Sizes: up to 36″ wide (consult factory)
• Standard Thickness: 1.6mm & 1.8mm
• Maximum Operating Temperature: 400°F (204°C) intermittent
• Minimum Operating Temperature: -60°F (-32°C)
• Maximum Watt Density: 7 watts/in²
• Maximum Voltage: 600 volts
• Wattage Tolerance: standard +5% -10%