Knowledge Do Heating Elements Degrade Over Time? 7 Key Factors to Consider
Author avatar

Tech Team · Kintek Solution

Updated 2 months ago

Do Heating Elements Degrade Over Time? 7 Key Factors to Consider

Heating elements do degrade over time due to several factors.

These factors can lead to reduced efficiency, increased risk of failure, and ultimately, the need for replacement.

7 Key Factors to Consider

Do Heating Elements Degrade Over Time? 7 Key Factors to Consider

1. Embrittlement Due to Grain Growth

Heating elements containing iron tend to form large, brittle grains when subjected to high temperatures.

This makes the elements very brittle and prone to rupture, especially when cold.

This condition can be exacerbated by improper handling or sudden jerks, leading to premature failure of the element.

2. Contamination and Corrosion

Elements can be contaminated by gases in the furnace atmosphere, fumes from fluxes used in brazing, or oil fumes from heat-treated components.

These contaminants can cause dry corrosion on the elements, further degrading their integrity and performance.

The most critical factors affecting element life in such conditions are the temperature of the hottest point and the ratio of intermittent to continuous working.

3. Damage to the Oxide Layer

The oxide layer on heating elements is crucial as it prevents further oxidation of the inner metal.

However, this layer can be damaged during shutdowns, exposing fresh metal to oxidation.

To prolong the life of the heating element, it is recommended to avoid frequent shutdowns once the machine is turned on.

4. Formation of Hot Spots

Hot spots are areas in the heating element that are at a higher temperature than the rest.

These can be caused by local oxidation reducing the element's cross-section, increasing resistance and heat locally, leading to breakdown.

Other factors include improper support, high element temperature, and wrong fuse material selection, which can cause sagging and warping, leading to uneven spacing and potential shorting of adjacent sections.

5. Oxidation and Intermittency of Operation

Continuous and tenacious oxide scale forms on the surface of the heating element at high temperatures.

However, frequent heating and cooling cycles can cause this scale to crack and flake off, exposing fresh metal to oxidation and leading to increased local oxidation and the formation of hot spots.

6. Maintenance and Replacement

Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent premature failure of heating elements.

This includes monthly inspections for cracking and sagging, annual replacement of thermocouples, and periodic replacement of insulation and seals.

Heating elements should only be replaced when they fail, and individual elements can be replaced rather than the entire set, which is more cost-effective.

7. Summary

In summary, heating elements degrade over time due to physical and chemical changes induced by their operating environment and usage patterns.

Proper maintenance and operation can significantly extend their lifespan and ensure efficient performance.

Continue exploring, consult our experts

Are your heating elements consistently underperforming or at risk of failure?

Trust KINTEK SOLUTION for superior heating elements designed to withstand the test of time.

Our state-of-the-art products are engineered to combat embrittlement, corrosion, and oxidation, ensuring peak efficiency and longevity.

Don’t let down-time and costly replacements slow you down – upgrade to KINTEK SOLUTION today and invest in peace of mind.

Contact us now for a tailored solution that maximizes your heating system’s performance!

Related Products

silicon carbide(SiC) heating element

silicon carbide(SiC) heating element

Experience the advantages of Silicon Carbide (SiC) Heating Element: Long service life, high corrosion and oxidation resistance, fast heating speed, and easy maintenance. Learn more now!

molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) heating element

molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) heating element

Discover the power of Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2) Heating Element for high-temperature resistance. Unique oxidation resistance with stable resistance value. Learn more about its benefits now!

Split multi heating zone rotary tube furnace

Split multi heating zone rotary tube furnace

Multi zone rotary furnace for high-precision temperature control with 2-8 independent heating zones. Ideal for lithium ion battery electrode materials and high-temperature reactions. Can work under vacuum and controlled atmosphere.

Vacuum sealed continuous working rotary tube furnace

Vacuum sealed continuous working rotary tube furnace

Experience efficient material processing with our vacuum-sealed rotary tube furnace. Perfect for experiments or industrial production, equipped with optional features for controlled feeding and optimized results. Order now.

Electric heating blast drying oven

Electric heating blast drying oven

The desktop fast autoclave sterilizer is a compact and reliable device used for rapid sterilization of medical, pharmaceutical, and research items.

Vacuum induction melting furnace Arc Melting Furnace

Vacuum induction melting furnace Arc Melting Furnace

Get precise alloy composition with our Vacuum Induction Melting Furnace. Ideal for aerospace, nuclear energy, and electronic industries. Order now for effective smelting and casting of metals and alloys.

Multi zone tube furnace

Multi zone tube furnace

Experience precise, efficient thermal testing with our Multi Zone Tube Furnace. Independent heating zones and temperature sensors allow for controlled high-temperature gradient heating fields. Order now for advanced thermal analysis!

laboratory vacuum tilt rotary tube furnace

laboratory vacuum tilt rotary tube furnace

Discover the versatility of Laboratory Rotary Furnace: Ideal for calcination, drying, sintering, and high-temperature reactions. Adjustable rotating and tilting functions for optimal heating. Suitable for vacuum and controlled atmosphere environments. Learn more now!

Continuous working electric heating pyrolysis furnace plant

Continuous working electric heating pyrolysis furnace plant

Efficiently calcine and dry bulk powder and lump fluid materials with an electric heating rotary furnace. Ideal for processing lithium ion battery materials and more.

Vertical tube furnace

Vertical tube furnace

Elevate your experiments with our Vertical Tube Furnace. Versatile design allows for operation under various environments and heat treatment applications. Order now for precise results!

Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) Ceramics Heat Sink - Insulation

Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) Ceramics Heat Sink - Insulation

The hole structure of the ceramic heat sink increases the heat dissipation area in contact with the air, which greatly enhances the heat dissipation effect, and the heat dissipation effect is better than that of super copper and aluminum.

Alumina (Al2O3) Furnace Tube - High Temperature

Alumina (Al2O3) Furnace Tube - High Temperature

High temperature alumina furnace tube combines the advantages of high hardness of alumina, good chemical inertness and steel, and has excellent wear resistance, thermal shock resistance and mechanical shock resistance.

Hydrogen atmosphere furnace

Hydrogen atmosphere furnace

KT-AH Hydrogen atmosphere furnace - induction gas furnace for sintering/annealing with built-in safety features, dual housing design, and energy-saving efficiency. Ideal for lab and industrial use.


Leave Your Message