THICK FILM
Ceramic and Metal Core
Heating Elements
More Heat.
More Coverage.
Small Spaces.
Compact, high performance and superior insulation properties,
Heatron’s Thick Film Ceramic and Metal core heaters provide design
engineers with a multitude of fabrication options. Precisely applied
heat delivers excellent response time to create faster thermal output
and cool-down, even in the most demanding environments.
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Superior insulation properties.
High watt density.
Fast response time.
Exceptional compressive strength.
Precise, uniform temperature distribution.
Surface mount components, including sensors and thermostats.
Transforming Your Vision
into Higher Performance Solutions
3000 Wilson Avenue • Leavenworth, KS 66048-4637 • 1.877.553.9070 • 1.913.651.4420 • www.heatron.com • sales@heatron.com
Applications in Thick Film
Medical & Life Sciences: Dialysis, CPAP, DNA Analysis and Testing, Blood Diagnostics, Surgical Devices, Vessel Sealer, Blood/
Fluid Warming, Instrument Warming, MRI Equipment, Temperature Therapy, Sterilization
Aviation & Transportation: Instrumentation, Personal Comfort, De-Icers, Over the Road Truck and Railcar Freeze Protection,
Oil and Battery Heating, Auto and Motorcycles
Security: Chemical Detection, Explosives Detection, Alcohol Detection, Cameras
Food Service: Warming Cabinets, Display Shelves, Prep Stations, Heated Dishware, Fryer Systems, Grilling Platters, Appliances
Printing: 3-D Printers, Laser Printers, Card Printers, Thermal Printers, Commercial and Industrial Printers
Industrial: Packaging Lines, Electronic Enclosures, Freeze Protection, Motor Heaters, Plastic Fabrications, Water Heating
Semiconductor: High Temperature Burn-In Boards and Testing Equipment, Wafer Chuck Heaters, Water Heating
Aluminum Nitride (AlN)
Aluminum Nitride (AlN)
Case Studies
High thermal conductivity makes AlN an excellent choice
where fast response or high levels of uniform temperatures
are required. A clean, non-contaminating heat source,
AlN’s high thermal conductivity prevents cracking.
Project: Disposable Delivery of Vaporized Medication
Key Benefits:
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Excellent thermal conductivity and uniformity.
Hard, dense, non-porous, high purity substrate.
Superior moisture and chemical resistance.
Excellent size and shape capability.
Precise, repeatable pattern and distributed wattage.
Key Features:
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For high temperature applications up to 1000 °C.
Power densities to 155 W/cm2 (1000 W/in2).
Superior thermal conductivity (220 W/mK).
Excellent dielectric properties.
Low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Low mass: fast temperature ramp up and cool down.
Low leakage current.
No out gassing with inorganic systems.
Standout: Engineered to meet stringent neonatal and
pediatric critical-care standards, Heatron’s Thick Film
heating element provides excellent thermal conductivity,
high purity and chemical compatibility in a compact
package for efficient delivery of an aerosolized drug in a
vapor state.
Project: Aircraft Pitot Tubes
Standout: Ensuring the critical angle of attack in air, our
thick film heater supplies uniform surface temperature in
the tube in order to keep it from icing shut and accurately
measure airspeed.
Options:
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High temperature glass and conventional UV-cure
resin-based solder masks or encapsulants.
Design single- or double-sided circuits, with one or
two layers per side.
For large, odd or 3D configurations contact Heatron.
Alumina (Al2O3)
Alumina: (Al2O3)
Case Studies
High compression strength, hardness and wear resistance,
Alumina heaters facilitate high heat resistance and high
thermal conductivity applications. Ideal solution for small
to mid-size heaters where uniform surface temperature is
required, Alumina provides the highest insulation standoff
per unit thickness.
Project: Breath Testers
Key Benefits:
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High compression strength.
Very hard and wear resistant.
Superior material flexibility and bend strength.
Excellent size and shape capability.
Precise, repeatable pattern and distributed wattage.
Key Features:
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For high temperature applications between 350 °C
and 1000 °C.
High temperature uniformity.
Excellent dielectric properties.
Low mass: fast temperature ramp up and cool down.
Low leakage current.
No out gassing with inorganic systems.
Resistant to moisture and many chemicals.
Options:
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High temperature glass and conventional UV-cure
resin-bases solder masks or encapsulants.
Design single- or double-sided circuits, with one or
two layers per side.
Available in a multitude of purity levels.
For large, odd or 3D configurations contact Heatron.
Standout: Designed for harsh environmental conditions,
this rugged, hand-held breath analyzer supplies highly
accurate alcohol test results in seconds. Small in size,
Heatron’s Alumina Ceramic heater offers a high strength,
fast temperature ramp up and cool down solution.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel:
Case Studies
For applications where space is limited, this thin profile
heater offers superior structural properties and fast ramp
up for high temperature applications. Stainless Steel is
ideal where voltage and wattage combination precludes
other types of resistive heaters.
Project: 3D Printing
Key Benefits:
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Small, thin profile with exceptional flatness.
Ability to be laser cut or machined to specifications.
May be flexed or bent to 90° at non-insulated joints.
Key Features:
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For high temperature applications up to 650 °C.
Power densities greater than 31 W/cm2 (200 W/in2).
Low mass: fast temperature ramp up and cool down.
Low leakage current at low temperatures.
No out gassing with inorganic systems.
Low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Solid insulation properties due to glass encapsulation.
Options:
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High temperature glass and conventional UV-cure
resin-bases solder masks or encapsulants.
Design single- or double-sided circuits, with one or
two layers per side.
Available with integrated sensors, thermostats and a
variety of mounting or attachment options.
UL component recognition under file E91597 covers:
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Power densities up to 200 W/in2.
Maximum surface temperature of 300 °C.
Supply voltages up to 240 VAC.
Standout: Tight tolerances, exceptional accuracy... 3D
printers require reliable components that support rapid
prototyping and high performance products. Heatron’s
heating elements provide multiple zone watt densities,
controlled and operated independently, for integral
components within the printer.
Project: Trace Explosives Detection
Standout: Compact, lightweight, fast and reliable, this
automated trace detection system includes a small, thin
profile heater for fast ramp up for high throughput.
Designed to minimize operating costs, Stainless Steel’s
structural properties ensure long life and lower total costs
of ownership. Laser cut or machined to fit any 2-D shape.
Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum (Al):
Case Studies
High thermal conductivity makes Aluminum an excellent
substrate where fast, uniform heat transfer is required.
Aluminum’s anodization acts as a natural insulator that
offers outstanding reliability and efficiency.
Project: Narcotic/Explosive/GSR Detection
Key Benefits:
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Excellent thermal conductivity.
Low thermal resistance.
High temperature uniformity.
May be flexed or bent to 90° at non-insulated joints.
Precise, repeatable pattern and distributed wattage.
Key Features:
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Power densities greater than 62 W/cm2 (400 W/in2).
Exceptional thermal conductivity (173 W/mK).
Low mass: fast temperature ramp up and cool down.
Low leakage current at low temperatures.
No out gassing with inorganic systems.
High quality, inorganic insulation.
Resistant to moisture and many chemicals.
Options:
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High temperature glass and conventional UV-cure
resin-bases solder masks or encapsulants.
High strength solder connections.
Available with integrated sensors, thermostats and a
variety of mounting or attachment options.
Standout: Rugged, hand-held, automated narcotics/
explosives/GSR detector, this small, high watt density
heater provides auxiliary heat to warm the fluid in the
sampling card. Engineered to ensure accurate heating
using real-time analysis in critical security conditions.
Project: Professional Hair Style Flat Iron
Standout: Instant-on, constant, and consistent heat with
variable temperature control. Engineered for temperature
uniformity and reliability, this heater is fabricated for easy
attachment in the assembly process.
Specifications and Options
Heatron offers unparalleled custom design opportunities to
meet your product demands.
For custom solutions outside the parameters listed, please contact Heatron for design assistance.
Specifications
Maximum
Temperature
Max Watt Density1
Thermal Conductivity
Ramp Rate
Coefficient of Thermal
Expansion
Heat Capacity
Dielectric Strength
Aluminum Nitride
AlN
Alumina
Al2O3
Stainless Steel
430
Aluminum
Al
1000 °C
350 °C to 1000 °C
650 °C
150 °C
1832 °F
662 °F to 1832 °F
1202 °F
302 °F
155 W/cm2
11.6 W/cm2
31 W/cm2
62 W/cm2
1000 W/in2
75 W/in2
200 W/in2
400 W/in2
220 W/mK
35 W/mK
15 W/mK
173 W/mK
300 °C/second
50 °C/second
150 °C/second
150 °C/second
572 °F/second
122 °F/second
302 °F/second
302 °F/second
4.6 x 10-6/°C
6.7 x 10-6/°C
5.8 x 10-6/°C
23.4 x 10-6/°C
0.72 J/g-K
0.88 J/g-K
Function of insulation
Function of insulation
Up to 4000 VAC
Greater than 700 VAC
Greater than 5000 VAC Greater than 5000 VAC
Dielectric Constant
9
9.8
NA
NA
UL Double Insulation
Yes at 1.0 mm or more
Yes at 1.0 mm or more
Yes (with secondary
dielectric)
Yes (with secondary
dielectric)
3.26g/cm3
3.75g/cm3
7.80 g/cm3
2.70 g/cm3
203.52 lb./ft3
237.23 lb./ft3
483.84 lb./ft3
169.56 lb./ft3
1.27 mm x 5.08 mm
0.64 mm x 12.70 mm
0.10 mm x 3.05 mm
0.035 mm x 19 mm
.05" to 0.20"
0.025” to 0.50”
0.004” to 0.12”
0.0014” to 0.75”
127 mm x 279 mm
152 mm x 605 mm
305 mm x 607 mm
305 mm x 607 mm
5" x 11"
6” x 12”
12” x 24”
12” x 24”
Density
Substrate Thickness
Range
Max Size
(1) Custom watt density designs are available, providing added efficiency and control.
(2) The composition of ceramics can be modified to heighten specific material characteristics.
(3) Other Thick Film substrates include, but are not limited to: 300 Series Stainless Steel, 3000 - 6000 Series Aluminum, Zirconia, Sapphire,
Silicon Nitride and multiple glass substrates.
(4) A number of our products comply with Customer’s FDA, Telcordia and Mil-Spec requirements.
Specifications and Options
Wattage
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Custom watt density designs available for added efficiency and control.
Multiple zone heating for greater control in target areas.
Distributed Wattage can be used to compensate for heat loss and create
uniform temperature in application.
Voltage
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Custom designed to operate from 2 to 480 volts; including dual voltage.
Functions with AC and DC voltage sources.
Surface Mount Sensors and Thermostats
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Printed RTDs or surface-mount thermistors for direct, on-board temperature
feedback and control, as well as more complex heater system assembly.
Large selection of thermostats and thermal fuses designed to provide maximum
efficiency for your application.
Connecting Leads
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Broad range of connection schemes available, including wire harness.
Custom connection solutions can be co-engineered with customer's design.
Power leads soldered directly to board or mechanically secured.
Other Thick Film Products
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Printed and Hybrid Circuit Boards
Ruggedized Circuit Boards
Burn In Boards and Testers
Resistors
Heatron accelerates the launch of new products that
become recognized leaders in a global marketplace.
Unparalleled Manufacturing and Assembly
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Proven regulatory agency experience
Build to UL 60601, IEC 60601 and other agency standards
Quality Audited by Fortune 100 customers
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
High velocity, high volume production experience
Best-in-class path planning and control
Heatron provides turnkey manufacturing solutions for products, subassemblies and components to lower cost of ownership
and speed time to market. We continually invest in new technology while utilizing Lean Principals to streamline operations,
improve value and deliver a competitive advantage to our customers.
About Heatron
Heatron is a global leader in design, engineering and manufacturing
for Heating solutions. Heatron’s experienced engineers and designers
offer complete solutions, from initial concept and design to complex
integration and manufacturing. By bridging the gap between original
concepts and commercialization, we accelerate the launch of new
products that become recognized leaders in a global marketplace.
Our expertise in design, manufacturing and market standards provides
our customers with the documentation and knowledge of agency
approvals that is essential in today’s tightly regulated environment.
Find more Heatron products at www.heatron.com.
Kapton & All
Polyimide
Silicone: Etch &
Wire Wound
Cartridge
Special
Products
3000 Wilson Avenue
Leavenworth, KS 66048-4637 USA
877.553.9070
P: 1.913.651.4420 • F: 1.913.651.5352
www.heatron.com • sales@heatron.com
ISO 9001 • Registered by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
TF 1014 Rev A