Compact construction
Concentrated heating power within a robust cylindrical metal sheath.
Industrial heating elements
CARTRIDGE
HEATERS
Compact, high-performance heating elements manufactured to fit accurately into drilled holes in tools, dies, platens and industrial process equipment.
Heat within the component
COMPACT HEAT.
PRECISELY APPLIED.
Cartridge heaters are cylindrical heating elements designed to transfer heat into a surrounding metal component through close contact with a correctly sized bore.
They are widely used in tooling, sealing equipment, dies, platens, packaging machinery, plastics processing equipment and many other industrial heating applications.
Hotset UK can manufacture cartridge heaters around the dimensions, electrical rating, heat distribution and termination requirements of the application.
Replacing an existing cartridge heater?
Send us its diameter, length, voltage, wattage, lead arrangement and any markings. A drawing, photograph or existing sample is particularly useful where the original specification is unknown.
Designed for the application
MORE THAN DIAMETER AND LENGTH
A reliable cartridge heater depends upon the complete relationship between the heater, bore, electrical loading, temperature, controls and surrounding process.
Bespoke dimensions
Diameter and heated length can be selected around the available bore and application requirements.
Wattage options
Power can be selected according to the required heat input, heated surface area and operating conditions.
Heat distribution
Cold sections or distributed wattage may be considered where different areas require different amounts of heat.
Termination choices
Different lead, terminal and cable-protection arrangements can be considered for the installation.
Sensor options
A thermocouple can be incorporated into certain constructions where temperature measurement within the heater is required.
Typical applications
WHERE THEY ARE USED
Cartridge heaters provide compact, controllable heat across a broad range of manufacturing and process applications.
Tools and dies
Heating moulds, forming tools, dies and metal tooling assemblies.
Sealing equipment
Heating sealing jaws, bars and packaging-machine components.
Platens and plates
Providing internal heat within machined aluminium or steel components.
Process machinery
Bespoke heating duties across plastics, packaging and industrial production equipment.
Installation matters
THE BORE AND HEATER
MUST WORK TOGETHER
Heat must pass from the cartridge-heater sheath into the surrounding component. Excessive clearance creates an insulating air gap, raises the internal heater temperature and may shorten heater life.
Correct bore size
Specify the actual finished bore diameter and its manufacturing tolerance, not only the nominal drill size.
Suitable surface finish
A consistent bore supports better contact and more even heat transfer along the heater.
Temperature control
Position the temperature sensor so that it represents the process and allows the control system to respond correctly.
Preparing an enquiry
WHAT DO WE
NEED TO KNOW?
These details allow us to evaluate the electrical loading, construction and installation requirements.
Technical consideration
CHECK THE WATT DENSITY
Two cartridge heaters with the same voltage and wattage can operate very differently if their heated lengths are different. Watt density relates the heater power to its active surface area and is an important part of heater selection.
Read our watt density guide →
Need a cartridge heater?
Request a quotation →
SEND US YOUR SPECIFICATION.
Provide your dimensions, voltage, power, termination requirements, drawing or existing sample and we will assess the application.