Metal Finishing Heaters | Heatmax Heaters

Why Heatmax Immersion Heaters Are Used in Plating Tanks

Heatmax immersion heaters are used in plating, anodizing, and surface finishing tanks where corrosion resistance, electrical safety certification, and compatibility with industrial control systems are required.

Corrosion resistant material options

Heatmax immersion heaters for plating and surface finishing tanks are available in several corrosion-resistant sheath materials designed for aggressive chemical environments using

Available Sheath Materials

304 & 316 stainless steel
Incoloy
Titanium
PTFE (fluoropolymer-coated)

Material selection is based on: Bath chemistry, operating temperature, required watt density, contamination sensitivity. Common applications include: Nickel plating tanks, chrome plating tanks, sulfuric acid anodizing, and acid pickling baths.

UL/CSA Listed immersion heaters

Heatmax immersion heaters used in metal plating applications are UL and CSA listed.

The listing applies to complete heater assemblies used in industrial process tanks and chemical baths.

UL/CSA Listing Supports

Electrical code compliance
Plant safety requirements
OEM project specifications
Inspection approval

American Manufacturer since 1952

Heatmax Heaters has manufactured electric immersion heaters in the United States since 1952. Manufacturing operations are based in Ohio.
Production includes:

Over-the-side "bayonet" heaters
Over-the-side "L-shaped" heaters
PTFE-coated heaters
Titanium immersion heaters

Domestic manufacturing supports:
Shorter lead times, Direct engineering access, Consistent quality control, & Supply chain stability

COMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING CONTROL SYSTEMS

Heatmax immersion heaters are designed to integrate with existing plating tank control panels.

Available in standard voltage configurations, including single-phase and three-phase options, and a range of thermal protector sizes.

Heaters can be specified to match:
Existing thermal protector, dimensions, watt density,
Wattage and voltage ratings, & terminal enclosure types

This allows Heatmax heaters to be used as drop-in replacements for many existing plating tank heater installations.

Immersion Heaters for Metal Plating Applications

Heatmax manufactures electric immersion heaters for industrial plating and surface finishing tanks.
Heaters are selected based on bath chemistry, operating temperature, required heat-up time, and allowable watt density.

Nickel plating tank heaters

Nickel plating tanks require corrosion-resistant immersion heaters capable of maintaining stable bath temperatures in nickel sulfate and nickel chloride solutions.

Watts Nickel (Nickel Chloride, Nickel Sulfate, Boric Acid) solutions & Bright Nickel Baths

Typical operating temperature:

120°F – 150°F

recommended sheath materials:

Titanium - commonly specified for Watts nickel and bright nickel baths due to chemical compatibility with nickel sulfate and nickel chloride solutions, compact heater geometry, and lower cost per installed watt.
PTFE - used where additional corrosion resistance is required.

Woods Nickel Strike

Typical operating temperature:

70°F – 100°F

recommended sheath materials:

PTFE - recommended for Wood’s Nickel Strike due to the bath’s low pH and high chloride concentration, which create a more aggressive corrosion environment than standard Watts Nickel.

electroless Nickel plating tank heaters

Electroless nickel plating baths operate at high temperature and require low watt density immersion heaters to prevent localized overheating and bath decomposition.

Typical operating temperature:

185°F – 190°F

temperature sensitivity

Electroless nickel deposition rate and bath stability are highly temperature dependent. Heater watt density and solution circulation must be carefully controlled to prevent bath decomposition.

recommended sheath materials:

Derated Titanium - preferred for electroless nickel due to corrosion resistance at 185–190°F and reduced risk of localized overheating that can trigger bath decomposition or plate-out.

PTFE - recommended for propritary or unusually aggressive Electroless Nickel baths.

Derated Type 316 Stainless Steel - Derated Type 316 Stainless Steel – sometimes used in electroless nickel systems where periodic nitric acid cleaning is required; however, corrosion resistance is lower than titanium and service life may be reduced.

chrome plating tank heaters

Chromic acid plating tanks require corrosion-resistant immersion heaters capable of operating in strongly oxidizing Cr⁶⁺ environments.

Chromic Acid (Hexavalent Chromium) Hard Chrome Plating Tanks

Typical operating temperature:

110°F – 140°F

Most common operating range: 120–130°F

recommended sheath materials:

Titanium - commonly specified for chromic acid plating tanks due to strong resistance to oxidizing Cr⁶⁺ environments and predictable service life in properly maintained hard chrome solutions.

PTFE-coated immersion heaters — used where maximum chemical inertness is required, particularly in high-fluoride or proprietary chrome formulations.

design considerations:

Chromic acid concentration typically should not exceed ~30% and solution temperature should not exceed 200°F when using titanium heaters.

Chrome plating solutions are strongly oxidizing rather than chloride-dominant. Material selection must consider oxidizing corrosion mechanisms rather than simple acid compatibility.

alkaline cleaning tank heaters

Alkaline cleaning tanks are heated to improve removal of oils, greases, and soils prior to electroplating operations.

used in:

Pre-plating cleaning stages for removing oils, grease, and soils from parts.

Typical operating temperature:

120°F – 190°F

recommended sheath materials:

Type 316 Stainless Steel - commonly specified for Alkaline cleaning tanks.

Incoloy 800 - Incoloy's higher nickel content give's it longer service life in Alkaline baths.

Acid Pickling / Acid Activation Tank heaters

Acid pickling tanks are used to remove oxides and scale prior to plating and may require corrosion-resistant immersion heaters depending on the acid concentration.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)

used in:

Surface preparation before plating to remove oxides and scale.

Typical operating temperature:

80°F – 140°F

recommended sheath materials:

PTFE-coated immersion heaters – used where maximum chemical inertness is required, particularly in resistant to hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.

Titanium - can be used depending on acid concentration.

anodizing tank heaters

Sulfuric acid anodizing systems occasionally use immersion heaters to stabilize bath temperature during startup or low production loads.

aluminum anodizing / sulfuric acid anodizing (Type II)

Typical operating temperature:

65°F – 75°F

recommended sheath materials:

PTFE-coated immersion heaters – commonly specified due to excellent resistance to sulfuric acid anodizing electrolytes and electrical insulation from the anodizing current.

certification & credibility

Industrial immersion heaters used in metal finishing environments must meet both electrical safety standards and chemical compatibility requirements. Heatmax heaters are manufactured to meet widely recognized North American safety and performance standards.

UL / CSA Listed Immersion Heaters

Heatmax immersion heaters are UL and CSA listed, confirming compliance with recognized electrical safety standards for industrial heating equipment. These certifications verify that heater construction, insulation systems, and electrical components meet established safety requirements for industrial process environments.

manufactured in the united states since 1952

Heatmax heaters are manufactured in Ohio and have been used in plating, finishing, and industrial process heating applications since 1952. Domestic manufacturing allows for consistent product quality, shorter lead times, and direct engineering support for specialized applications.

Reliable Lead Times for Process Equipment

Plating lines and finishing equipment often operate on tight project schedules. Heatmax maintains manufacturing capacity for stainless steel, titanium, and PTFE-coated immersion heaters to support reliable delivery for both replacement heaters and new plating line installations.

Compatible With Existing Control Systems

Heatmax immersion heaters are designed to integrate with standard industrial temperature control systems, with customizable thermal protector options and amperage. In many cases, heaters can be installed as drop-in replacements for existing heaters without requiring modifications to the tank or control system.

Designed for Aggressive Chemical Environments

Metal finishing tanks expose heating elements to acids, oxidizing solutions, and alkaline chemistries. Heatmax heaters are constructed using corrosion-resistant sheath materials such as titanium, fluoropolymer (PTFE), stainless steel, and Incoloy to provide reliable service in demanding plating environments.

Immersion Heater Types for Plating Tanks

Immersion heaters used in plating and surface finishing tanks are selected based on chemical compatibility, tank geometry, operating temperature, and installation constraints. Heatmax manufactures several heater designs optimized for common plating tank environments.

TF Series: Fluoropolymer (PTFE) Immersion Heaters

Durable Immersion Heating for Aggressive Acids

Best For:
Acid pickling tanks • Anodizing tanks • Electroless nickel plating • Chrome plating tanks

The TF Series PTFE heaters are designed for immersion heating in aggressive chemical solutions, including acid pickling baths, anodizing tanks, and electroless nickel systems.

Available configurations

Learn More

SW Series: metal Over-the-Side immersion heaters

Conveniently Heat Open-Topped Tanks

Best For:
Alkaline cleaning tanks • Rinse tanks • Mild chemical baths • Water heating applications

Stainless steel immersion heaters provide a durable and economical heating solution for aqueous and alkaline process baths. The SW Series is commonly used where chemical corrosion risk is low and contamination sensitivity allows the use of metallic sheath materials.

Available configurations

All configurations can be customized to match tank geometry and watt density requirements.

Common Applications

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L Series: Metal "l-Shaped" Heaters

Ideal For Tanks With Low Liquid Levels

Best For:
Deep plating tanks • Tanks with limited side clearance • Bottom heating applications • Large process tanks

L-shaped immersion heaters are designed to extend heating elements vertically into the tank and then horizontally along the bottom. This configuration improves heat distribution in deep tanks and allows heaters to reach areas where straight over-the-side heaters may not provide sufficient coverage.

Available configurations

• 3, 6, 9, & 12 element configurations
• 304 & 316 Stainless Steel, Incoloy and Titanium
• Vertically stacked element versions.
• Derated Watt Density versions

Material selection should be based on bath chemistry, operating temperature, required watt density, and contamination sensitivity.

Learn More

TCD Series: Heater Controls

Efficient Digital Temperature Control

Our TCD Series’ controls are a digital display temperature control system designed to operate our TF, SW, and L Series heaters. Engineered as a combination control unit, our heater controls come with a FEP-coated Type-J thermocouple for managing tank solution temperature as well as terminals for operationalizing the heater’s thermal protector. Easy to install and operate, the TCD control is a convenient and simple way to control your tank’s heater.

Learn More

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