Electric Heaters for Plastic Processing

Plastics have become an almost unavoidable element of our daily lives. Between waking up and just arriving at the office, many of us have had constant interactions with plastic, from alarm systems and mugs to the vehicles we drive to offices. Thus, plastic is still an integral part of our daily lives. And to maintain a constant supply, we need efficient plastic processing.

Plastics processing techniques are just as wide-ranging as the plastic products’ uses. However, thermoforming, compression molding and injection molding all have one thing: they need heat. So, Whether you’re making reusable, biodegradable, or single-use plastics, you’ll need a dependable and efficient heater.

We will feature the most common electric heaters for plastic mold injection processing.

Cast-In Heaters

Cast heaters are a heating element crucial to various applications, including hot melt glue systems, medical practices, paint spraying, semiconductors, and process pipes. In the thermal processing of plastics, cast-in heaters are employed. They need to be mounted carefully to avoid warping and have solid connections to prevent ruptures. Cast-in heaters come in various forms and materials to fit target surfaces and temperatures. They are also incredibly customizable and are available in aluminum and bronze alloys.

Immersion Heaters

Immersion heaters are one of the most common electric heaters for plastic processing. They provide direct heat and highly efficient and precise temperature control. These heaters are available in a wide range of designs, including circulation, over-the-side, flanged, and screw plug heaters, in order to meet the needs of almost any heating project. Electric immersion heaters are feasible for various plastic processing applications, from small spaces to huge capacity tanks.

Cartridge Heaters

Cartridge heaters are component heaters that can be used in various applications. For example, they are commonly utilized in molds in the plastic processing industry. They have unique diameters for a snug fit, and the internal chamber can accommodate a thermocouple for better temperature control and precision.

Most cartridge heaters are built with larger wattages at the end to minimize cold spots and ensure even heat distribution. As a result, they are suitable for temperatures up to 1,400oF (760oC). A tube-shaped metal housing encases an electric heating coil to manufacture a cartridge/insertion heater. These industrial heaters are available in a wide range of sizes and lengths, all of which have a high level of vibration resistance.

These heaters can reach incredibly high temperatures, making them the ideal heating element for industrial applications requiring high power. They can also be utilized to reduce condensation in control panels or closed circuits by adjusting the temperature.

Band and Coil Heaters

Coil heaters and band heaters are frequently employed in plastics extrusion, molding, and thermoforming.

The method of shaping plastic with a rigid frame or mold is plastic molding. On the other hand, thermoforming represents changing the plastic sheet into a three-dimensional shape. The process employs heat, pressure, and vacuum.

Corrosive conditions can also be tailored to the sheath material. Heat is distributed thanks to tight straps and clamps evenly. The band heaters are attached with springs that enable thermal expansion without sacrificing heat or efficiency.

Band heaters are comparable to strip heaters in terms of use and configuration and are used mainly in metal and plastic fabrication processes such as extrusion.

Strip Heaters

Strip heaters are small electric heaters that can be tightened or bolted to a surface to provide direct heat transfer to a solid object. Strip heaters are typically flat, straight, and the shape of a ruler, but when used to heat air, they are tuned for fuller heat radiation.

They can also be built as circular bands that grip around cylindrical objects and are used to heat tubes, pipes, and nozzles.

Strip heaters are commonly used to heat barrels, process machines, drying ovens, control cabinets, acrylic extrusions, and space heaters, to name a few applications.

Plastics can also be formed and shaped with the use of strip heaters. Strip heaters can be used in plastic extrusion to help plasticize plastic material inventory while handled in a conveyance channel. They’re also used to pre-heat plastics before they’re bent.