Mica, or micathermic, heating pads are space heaters (devices used to heat a small, single area). They're made with thin sheets of mica - a rigid material that's able to withstand very high temperatures and is suited for electrical applications up to 260°C.
What are mica heating pads?
Mica heating pads are used to heat surfaces in electrical appliances. Typical applications include air heaters, enclosure systems, food service equipment, process and packaging equipment. Mica heating pads are also ideal for use in hot plates and metal strip heaters.
Mica heating pads are installed by clamping them to heatsinks. They should be clamped securely to the substrate to allow heat transfer to occur.
Types of mica heating pads
There are two main types of mica heating pads:
- Flat designs - thin and small. Best used on flat surfaces and for fitting between two metal surfaces where one or both require heating.
- Band designs - encased in brass casing. Typically used in dies, platens, moulds and process machinery.