Watlow FIREROD Cartridge Heater

• Up to 1400°F (760°C) on Incoloy sheath
  • Resists oxidation and corrosion
• Up to 1000°F (540°C) on stainless steel sheath
• Watt densities to 400 W/in² (62 W/cm²)
• Maximum voltage up to 480V
• Available in standard or metric sizes
• Nickel-chromium resistance wire
  • Even heat distribution
• Magnesium oxide insulation
  • High dielectric strength & faster heat-up
• UL and CSA approved flexible stranded wires

The Watlow FIREROD heater revolutionized the heating element when it was introduced. With
premium materials and tight manufacturing controls, it continues to
provide superior heat transfer, uniform temperatures, and resistance to oxidation and corrosion
even at high temperatures.

The key to the success of the Watlow FIREROD is the unique swaging process used in its
manufacture. While many cartridge heater manufacturers now swage their products, Watlow has
developed its own unique swaging process. Swaging is a mechanical procedure that compacts the
MgO (magnesium oxide) insulation, which increases its thermal conductivity and enhances its
dielectric strength. Swaging has the added benefits of: permitting the resistance wire to operate at
lower temperatures, a critical factor in longer heater life; enabling users to achieve process
temperatures faster; providing more uniform heating to the application; reducing energy costs
through better heating efficiency; and, making the heater more durable and more resistant to shock
and vibration.

Watlow FIREROD cartridge heaters are built using only the finest materials and construction
methods, and are backed with extensive quality assurance programs. Years of testing have proven
certain construction materials and manufacturing methods to yield the best performance.

Standard Materials Used in Watlow FIREROD Cartridge Heaters

The Sheath:

Watlow’s standard Incoloy 800 provides high temperature resistance to oxidation and
corrosion, proving far superior to 304 stainless steel alloys used by other manufacturers.

The Insulation:

Watlow uses only high purity MgO, compacted to a carefully predetermined and closely
monitored density. This assures high dielectric strength and efficient, fast heat transfer.

The Resistance Wire:

Watlow’s nickel-chromium wire of computer calculated gauge, length and spacing is wound
on a supporting core and precisely centered for uniform temperatures.

The Lead Wire:

Watlow uses only the finest high temperature wire available. This ensures wire flexibility
and fray resistance, two factors that will reduce lead wire failure and makes installation
easier.

The Pins:

High-grade nickel pins assure resistance to corrosion at high temperatures and minimize
the chances of embrittlement.

Due to Watlows tight manufacturing controls, Watlow FIREROD cartridge heaters can provide
the smallest “no heat” section – on both ends of the heater – of any cartridge heater manufacturer.
Watlow FIREROD cartridge heaters are available in 1/8-inch to 1-inch diameters (as well as
comparable metric sizes) and various lengths to cover different applications. Watlow is one of the
only companies to offer such a variety of specifications.

Applications for the Watlow FIREROD Cartridge Heater

• Molds
• Dies
• Platens
• Hot plates
• Sealings
• Fluid heating
• Life sciences
• Aerospace
• Semiconductor
• Foodservice equipment

Ordering Information

Please contact us to order. To help us determine which
Watlow heater will best satisfy your application requirements, please determine as closely as
possible the overall length, diameter, watts, voltage, terminal option and lead length of the heater
you will need.