Technical Features

Length: in standard 100 to 400 mm (4 to 16"), on special order up to 1000 mm (40")
Width: in standard 100 to 400 mm (4 to 16"), on special order up to 1000 mm (40")
See our band heaters page for width less than 100 mm (4")

Dimensional tolerances:

• 0 to 150 mm (0 to 6 inches): +/- 1.5 mm (+/- 1/16 inch)
• 150 to 500 mm (6 to 20 inches) : +/- 3.5 mm (+/- 1/8 inch)
• 500 mm to 1000 mm (20 to 40 inches): +/- 5 mm (+/- 3/16 inch)

Tighter tolerances are available on custom designs if needed

Standard heater thickness without adhesive, leads output thickness not included: 1.60 mm +/- 0.15 mm (0.065 inch +/- 0.005") .Add 0.1 mm (0.005") to above dimensions for foil backing.

Maximum total thickness over leads (horizontal wires output):

• AWG 22 (0.3 mm²) 0.15" (3.8 mm)
• AWG 20 (0.5 mm²) 0.16" (4 mm)
• AWG 18 (0.75 mm²) 0.17" (4.2 mm)
• AWG 15 (1.5 mm²) 0.19" (4.7 mm)

Silicone foil minimum bending radius: 0.125" (3.2 mm)

Standard Weight: 0.24 gr/cm² 240 g/m² (8 oz./ft²)

Ingress protection: IP65

Maximum operating temperature: peak 220/230 °C (446°F), continuous: 200 °C (390 °F)*

Even if silicone heaters can be used at higher temperature, we recommend for a safe and durable use that maximum permanent surface temperature on silicone should not rise more than 160°C and maximum acceptable peak temperature should not rise more than 200°C.

Minimum ambient temperature: -60 °C (-80 °F)*

*These maximum and minimum temperatures apply to silicone heaters only. Restriction will apply for controls

Voltage: 12V to 600V, AC or DC (UL rating is 600 VAC, TUV recognition is max 250 VAC)

Resistance tolerance: -5%/+10% (tighter tolerances are achievable)

Power tolerance: -10% to + 5%

Watt density: The limitation factor is the heating foil maximum acceptable temperature. This temperature is dependent upon three factors:
  - Temperature exchange with ambient or surface
  - The maximum operating temperature
  - Heater temperature control

If the element is temperature controlled sufficiently or the heat is taken away by forced air or a heat sink, the Watt density can range up to 0.8w/cm², (5.2 w/inch²). More typical designs are equal or below 0.4w/cm², (2.6 w/inch²)

Standard watt density:

• 0.2 w/cm² (1.3 w/inch²)
• 0.4 w/cm² (2.6 w/inch²)
• 0.8 w/cm² (5.2 w/inch²)

Quality control routine tests: Each element is 100% tested for continuity, resistance and insulation. Tests are made according to EN 60335-1 and EN 50106 standards

Dielectric Strength: 1500V AC, 2s, 0.5 mA (single insulation models) or the typical approval agency recommendation of 2 x input voltage +1000 volts.

Insulation resistance: More than 10 Mohms

Surface temperature: Temperature that the silicone rubber heater will attain when suspended in still air at 70 °F (20°C) depends of the watt density. Below 5.2 w/inch², (0.8 w/cm²), the temperature will rise during some minutes and stabilize at a temperature below the critical 500 °F (260°C) which is the highest technically acceptable surface temperature.

Leads: Standard leads for heaters are FEP insulated, flexible stranded plated copper wire. They are UL Style 1330 rated for 180°C/ 600 volt operation. Lead types and exit locations are adaptable to application requirements. Standard length is 200 mm.

Standard wire gauges:
AWG22 (or 0.3 mm²) is standard for rating up 3.5A
AWG20 (or 0.5 mm²) is standard for rating from 3.6 to 5.5A
AWG18 (or 0.75 mm²) is standard for rating from 5.6 to 8A
AWG15 (or 1.5 mm²) is standard for rating from 8.1 to 15A

Electrical connection output: standard is wire leads horizontal output. On request we can provide vertical leads output, side output with 6.3 x 0.8 tab terminals or flat cable. Wires can be equipped with terminals on request. Built in connectors must be submitted to our engineering department for feasibility

Terminals options

Built in sensors and safety devices options

On the heaters surface it can be over-molded disc thermostats, temperature sensors, fixed setting bimetal thermostats, thermal cutouts and surface mounting adjustable bimetal thermostat.

Other Options:

- Adhesive backside for application on various surfaces such as glass, steel, plastic
- Forming and curving on curved surfaces
- Various size and dimensions to adjust heating to complicated patterns
- Heating foil can be factory vulcanized to metal parts (without adhesive), allows higher wattage levels for faster processing
- Possibility of having areas with different heating power, with two or more circuits on the same element

Warning:

Silicone rubber heaters are not suitable for: radiation, vacuum, or prolonged exposure to oil

Design Services:

Our experienced designers can assist in your design efforts to build a surface heater specifically for your application. In addition, we can look to optimize your current element designs and recommend proper watt densities, controls and element construction. We will conduct a thorough design review and present a proposal and quotation, followed by sample elements upon approval. We also provide testing services and gather agency approvals to verify and ensure that the element construction and design will be optimal for your application.

Custom designs Protection:

We protect your intellectual property in confidential fashion. Many of our large clients and ongoing projects are protected with NDA's.

Main references

Rectangular standard Heaters :

(No controls, 200 mm FEP insulated wires, horizontal output, 4 or 8 w/ cm² (2.6 and 5.2 w/inch²)

Rectangular heater main references, 0.4 w/cm² (2.6 w/inch²). (click on reference to download drawing)

Rectangular heater main references, 0.8 w/cm² (5.2 w/inch²). Attention these heaters must be used on a power dissipation surface or a heat sink.
(Click on reference to download drawing)

Adhesive backside: replace the last character (0) by A