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What are silicone heater pads used for?
Silicone heater mats, also called heat pads, are made from silicone and are developed to solve a specific problem in advanced market sectors like the space industry, aviation, chemical and food industries.
The applications require heat coverage over uneven surfaces where it is difficult or impossible to use other types of heating elements.
The flexible silicone heat pad has characteristics that solve the problem and have a relatively low cost compared to alternative heating elements.
It is best suited to applications where it is impossible to heat from the inside or if the surfaces are curved or shaped with intricate angles. We can supply them in various shapes and holes to suit the surface profile. You can have them with or without adhesive-backed surfaces for an easy fitment suitable for temperatures of 150 deg C.
Although these silicone heat pads are not waterproof, they will withstand the odd liquid splashes. Silicone mat heaters have an operating temperature of up to 180°C and can be made with watt densities up to 0.8W/cm².
Installation of heat mats is straightforward, and in the case of adhesive backing, only requires the back to be peeled off. The bonding surface should be kept smooth, clean and dry to ensure proper bonding and heat transfer.
We fit the heaters with various options such as a sensor pocket, in-built sensor, or thermostat for temperature control. They then can be operated using digital temperature controllers or mechanical thermostats.
What features do silicone heaters have?
• Can be set to vary heat concentrations to optimize distribution
• Can be made to any shape or profile
• Heat’s right to edges
• Thermostats and limiters can be moulded on
• Easy fitting
• Up to 3m long
• Overall economical in many applications
• Minimum weight and thickness:
• Can be made to fit around pipework and valves
• Flexibility
• Made to suit any voltage requirements
• Working temperatures up to 230ºC for short periods, 180ºC normally
What applications are silicone heaters used for?
- Catering hot food counters
- Outdoor telecommunication enclosures
- Aircraft repairs
- Satellite dishes snow melting
- Laboratory equipment
- GRP curing
- Tank heating
- Evaporation in refrigeration
- Battery warming
Heater Mat Selection Guide
| Material | Polyester | Silicone | Kapton | Mica |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum operating temperature* | 120°C | 200°C | 260°C | 600°C |
| Minimum thickness | 0.2mm | 0.8mm | 0.15mm | 0.8mm |
| Adhesive | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bending radius | 8mm | 10mm | 2mm | No |
| *If adhesive backing then max temp is 180°C | ||||
