PTFE Heaters Are Ideal For Heating Corrosive Solutions

Powerful corrosive fluids are used in the production of products we rely on daily. For example, metal finishing uses corrosive chemicals to prepare metal for everything from automobiles to appliances. Water treatment plants use corrosive fluids to make water safe for consumption. The food and beverage industry uses corrosive fluids to clean and sanitize equipment. Conventional metal-sheath heating elements aren’t strong enough to do the job of an Acid Heater. At Heatmax, we specialize in built-to-order PTFE immersion heaters that heat corrosive solutions so you can get more life out of your industrial immersion heater. . In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common challenges that come from heating corrosive solutions and discuss PTFE heaters – your ideal solution for heating corrosive chemicals.

BY HEATMAX HEATERS

The Challenge of Heating Corrosive Chemicals

Corrosive chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid or chromic acid will attack metals they come into contact with and rapidly corrode them. Metals that come into contact with these corrosive chemicals must be protected with a suitable material. Otherwise, they’ll become damaged to the point where they are rendered unusable. The process of heating such corrosive chemicals comes with the further challenge that metal corrosion is much more significant when the temperature is higher.

With all these challenges facing the task of heating corrosive chemicals, what can be done? That’s where PTFE immersion heaters come into the mix.

What is a PTFE Heater?

A PTFE heater is a specialized immersion heater that has been sleaved with the highly resistant, beneficial plastic compound known as polytetrafluoroethylene – PTFE for short. PTFE is the most commonly used fluoropolymer and is the material used in the Teflon brand of products by DuPont. PTFE has numerous properties that make it highly sought after for applications that prioritize safety and dependability.

Miraculously, while it was discovered by accident in 1938, DuPont scientists quickly realized PTFE’s properties make it highly resistant to most acids, detergents and solvents. In addition, PTFE has a high melting point and an extreme amount of flexibility, making it ideal protection for immersion heaters that need to be immersed in corrosive and reactive chemicals in many industries. PTFE immersion heaters are sleaved in the PTFE compound, so the metal underneath is not subjected to the corrosive solutions they heat. Using an immersion heater sleaved with PTFE can allow you to heat chemicals rated up to 13 pH. With this particular compound, your immersion heater can spend as much time submerged in corrosive chemical solutions as necessary.

PTFE heaters offer extreme durability against corrosive solutions, but careful practice must be taken when using them. PTFE is a soft material and vulnerable to nicks, cuts or abrasions that could leave the underlying heating element exposed to corrosion. Polypropylene guards can protect the PTFE-sleaved components from damage.

While PTFE is the most versatile plastic in terms of chemical compatibility, it is not compatible with hydrochloric acid. If you need to heat hydrochloric acid, ask us about our titanium heaters.

Which Immersion Heater is Right for You?

When deciding what PTFE immersion heater is best for your needed application, there are several factors you should consider before purchase. Immersion heaters come in several different variations that should be used depending on the type of tank you have. PTFE tank heaters come in three basic variations to suit your specific , each optimized for specific uses. You can choose from:

Over-The-Side PTFE Heater
L-Shaped PTFE Heater
PTFE Coated Heating Element

The type of immersion heater isn’t all that matters, however. Before purchasing your PTFE heater, you’ll want to know the pH value and chemical compatibility of the corrosive solution you’re heating. You’ll also want to know the specific heat or Watt Density needed. If you’re having issues figuring out which immersion heater would work best for you, feel free to contact the experts at Heatmax so we can provide assistance and get the PTFE heater that will work best for your application.

Additionally, we offer screw plug immersion heaters and flanged immersion heaters that safely and effectively heat liquids and materials in process tanks and vessels.

Order a Heatmax PTFE Immersion Heater Today

At Heatmax, our extensive selection of PTFE immersion heaters is sure to meet your manufacturing needs. Each of our immersion heaters is highly customizable and can be engineered to meet your exact specifications. So don’t let the challenges that come from heating corrosive chemicals get in the way of your production capabilities – request a quote from us today.

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