SPECIFICATIONS

UNIQUE PROPERTIES

• SIC TECH® elements may be used up to a surface temperature of 1800ºC (3270°F) in oxidizing atmospheres.

• Long service life and ease of replacement contribute to high furnace utilization and low maintenance costs.

• New and old elements can be used together and in series.

• Can dissipate high power loading.

• Can be used continuously or intermittently.

• Provide rapid furnace temperature ramping.

GRADES

Type 1700

• Maximum Element Temperature – 1700°C (3090°F)

• General Applications — Most types of industrial furnaces for heat treating, forging, sintering, glass melting and refining, and for use in radiant tubes.

Type 1800

• Maximum Element Temperature – 1800°C (3270°F)

• General Applications – Laboratory furnaces, testing equipment, and high temperature sintering production furnaces.

MADE TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS

SIC TECH® heating elements are manufactured to industry established resistance values. The same spacing, power ratings and voltages, used with other molybdenum disilicide elements can be used.

DELIVERY

Most sizes and types can be shipped 2 to 3 weeks after receipt of an order. Emergency shipments for 3/6 and 6/12 can usually be made in 2 to 3 days.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

We can assist you in choosing the most suitable element material and element type for your application. We also offer free engineering service for a new furnace design or a conversion from gas or oil fired to electric heating.

SIC TECH® ACCESSORIES 

Straps and holders are available for all sizes.

TWO-SHANK ELEMENTS

Two-shank elements with straight terminals are defined by:

• Heating zone diameter, mm

• Terminal diameter, mm

• Terminal length, Lu, mm (in.)

• Heating zone length, Le, mm (in.)

• Center distance between shanks, A, mm (in.)

• The grade (TYPE 1700 or TYPE 1800)

Two-shank Bent elements

Elements with a bend are available. Bends can be made in the Le or Lu at 30º, 45º or 90º angles.

ENGINEERING INFORMATION

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

SIC TECH® heating elements are manufactured by powder metallurgy. They consist of molybdenum disilicide with additives that prevent recrystallization. Since SIC TECH® is completely stable up to 1800ºC (3270°F), it surpasses other heating element types for high temperature performance.

The resistance of SIC TECH® elements to oxidation lies in the formation of an impermeable quartz, or glass-like protective layer which re-forms when heated if damaged in operation.

The SIC TECH® element has a low specific electrical resistivity with a positive resistance-temperature characteristic. It can be used at a very high watt loading compared to metallic heating elements. Because of its high temperature oxidation resistance, SIC TECH® electrical resistance remains constant at constant temperature over its useful life. This permits the use of old and new elements together in the same furnace, even if series-connected.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

Maximum element temperature depends on the atmosphere within the furnace chamber. In air this is 1800ºC (3270°F). Since element surface temperature exceeds furnace ambient in relation to the watt loading, careful attention must be given to these parameters for satisfactory element performance.

SIC TECH® heating elements normally operate between 1300 and 1750ºC (2372-3182°F). SIC TECH® elements may be used below 1300ºC (2372°F) particularly for furnace atmospheres harmful to silicon carbide heating elements (e.g., sulfur dioxide, water-steam, etc.). SIC TECH® should not be used between the temperature range of 400 and 700ºC (752-1292°F), where a destructive low temperature oxidation may occur called pest.

ELEMENT TYPE AND DIMENSIONS

SIC TECH® heating elements may be made in a variety of configurations. Most common is a two shank (U-shaped) element having terminal ends twice the diameter of the heating section. Since the cross sectional area of the terminal ends is four times that of the heating section, the exposed terminal ends operate at a low enough temperature to require no supplemental cooling if proper design criteria are used.

Four-shank-elements in the 6/12, 9/18 and 12/24 diameters are also available. They are normally used in furnaces with a low chamber height where the elements would be mounted horizontally.