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Tubular Heating Elements - What Are They and What Applications Do They Have?

Marcin Napierała
September 9, 2025
5 min czytania

Tubular heating elements due to their ability to work both in air and in liquids, they are widely used in various industrial industries. The possibility of any shaping, allows them to be adapted to specific requirements, which makes them ideal for more complex heating systems. In this article, we will discuss the structure, principle of operation and a wide range of applications of these elements, as well as present their types and the benefits of their use.

The structure and principle of operation of tubular heating elements

Tubular heating elements consist of a metal tube in which a resistance wire is placed. This wire is most often made of materials such as kanthal or nickel-chromium, which are known for their high temperature resistance and resistance properties. The resistance wire is insulated from the tube with a special insulating material, which is usually magnesium oxide (MgO). Magnesium oxide is an excellent electrical insulator and at the same time has excellent thermal conductivity, which makes it an ideal material for use in tubular heating elementsThe whole structure is protected against mechanical damage and the effects of adverse external factors. The metal tube that surrounds the resistance wire and insulator is usually made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials, which increases the durability tubular heating element and allows its long-term use even in harsh conditions.When an electric current flows through the resistance wire, it heats up, and the resulting heat is transferred to the insulating material surrounding it, and then to the surface of the tube. From there, heat is emitted to the environment or directly to the heated object. With such a construction, tubular heating elements can be used in a variety of environments, including liquids, air and solid surfaces. Their versatility and ability to work in a variety of conditions make them often the solution of choice in many industrial systems.

What are the advantages of tubular construction?

Tubular heating elements are often used in industry, as they are durable, effective and easy to install. Thanks to this, they can be found in various industries, such as the chemical, food or machinery industries. One of the most important features of these elements is their versatility, allowing them to work both in air and in liquids. With the possibility of any shaping, tubular heating elements can be adapted to a wide variety of applications, even in places with limited space or requiring specific heat distribution. In addition, it is possible to build individual elements into heating units with very high power, which allows them to be used in more demanding installations.The tubular design is also characterized by high and stable quality of electrical parameters, which is possible due to the central location of the heating twist. This solution optimizes the distribution of heat in the heating element, which increases its efficiency. In addition, Sinkoplex tubular heating elements thanks homogeneous and highly compacted insulation with the best quality magnesium oxides provide high service life and reliability of work. Magnesium oxide, as a material with excellent insulating properties and thermal conductivity, plays a key role in ensuring the stability of heating parameters, which is especially important in industrial installations where precision and reliability are crucial.High surface load and the ability to work with High Temperature Shielding Tube Surface is another advantage of the tubular structure. The compactness of the tubular structure allows to obtain high heat output while maintaining the small size of the heating elements. Thanks to the use of the highest quality resistance wires and the best grades of high-alloy stainless steel pipes, tubular heating elementsINKOPLEX can work in demanding conditions, where durability and resistance to temperature extremes and loads are necessary.Finally, it is worth mentioning the resistance to changing operating conditions. Tubular heating elements They are adapted to work in harsh environments such as vibration, high pressure or temperature extremes. As a result, they can be used in industries such as heavy industry, aviation or military machinery, where reliability and durability are a requirement.

Types of tubular heating elements

Tubular heating elements are available in various shapes and sizes, which allows them to be adapted to specific requirements. Each of the types tubular heating elements is designed to optimize the heating process under specific conditions. Here are some of the most common types.

Simple heating tubes

This is the simplest type tubular heating elements, which is mainly used in devices where heat is transferred directly to the surface. Straight tubes are used in systems that require linear heat propagation. Tubular heating elements are easy to install and maintain, which makes them often used, for example, in industrial furnaces for heating liquids in chemical plants. Thanks to their versatility, they are also used in food dryers and heating devices in the automotive industry.

Shaped heating elements

They can be bent or formed into shapes tailored to specific needs, e.g. spirals, combs, or various geometric shapes. This makes it possible to increase the heating surface and better adapt to the space in which they are to be installed. Thanks to the possibility of forming, such tubular heating elements can be used in more advanced systems, where it is necessary to evenly distribute heat over a large area.

Immersion heating elements

They are designed for heating liquids and mounted directly in tanks with water, oil or other liquids. Submersible tubular heating elements must be resistant to corrosion and chemical effects, so they are often made of special materials that guarantee their long service life and reliability of operation. It is also important that the current leads are well protected from moisture and the effects of aggressive substances, which prevents breakdowns and ensures safe use. They are used in the food, chemical and many other industries, where it is necessary to heat the liquid efficiently.

Application of tubular heating elements

The versatility they are characterized by tubular heating elements, makes them applicable in almost every industry, as well as in many everyday devices that we deal with on a daily basis. Here are some examples of use tubular heating elements.

Food industry

In the food industry tubular heating elements They are used to heat and maintain the temperature of water, oils and other liquids in production processes. They are used in devices such as pasteurizers, industrial fryers, brewing boilers or in production lines used for preparing food.

Chemical industry

In the chemical industry tubular heating elements are used in processes that require precise temperature control of various chemicals. Due to the peculiarities of working with aggressive chemicals, tubular heating elements in this industry, they must be made of materials resistant to corrosion and mechanical damage. They are used in chemical reactors, storage tanks and in pipe and pipe heating systems, which makes it possible to maintain a stable temperature in technological processes.

Automotive industry

Tubular heating elements in the automotive industry they are used for heating oil, coolers, as well as in air conditioning and heating systems. They can be installed in various parts of the vehicle, such as gearboxes, engines or exhaust systems, where they are responsible for maintaining the right temperature and ensuring optimal operating conditions.

Household appliances

Many of the everyday appliances we use in our homes, such as ovens, washing machines, dryers, or irons, use tubular heating elements. They are responsible for generating the heat necessary for the operation of these devices. In ovens tubular heating elements provide uniform heat distribution. In washing machines and dryers, heating tubular elements heat water or air, which allows you to effectively wash and dry clothes.

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology

In these sectors tubular heating elements are used for processes that require precise temperature control, such as drying, sterilization, or chemical reactions. They are particularly important in the manufacture of medicines and in scientific research, where even small temperature deviations can affect the results.

Textile industry

In the textile industry tubular heating elements are used in material processing machines such as dryers, calenders and fabric dyeing equipment.

Aerospace

In advanced installations such as aerospace, tubular heating elements are used in heating systems of components and devices. They must not only be resistant to extreme conditions, but also extremely precise to ensure safety and reliability.