In our series of articles on application focus, keep in mind that there is a difference between proven applications and potential applications. The potential for using ceramic infrared heaters is limitless and many markets are waiting to be tried and tested. A good rule of thumb to use is that anywhere a gentle, easily controlled heat is needed, there could be a place for ceramic infrared emitters. The wavelength emission characteristic of ceramic heaters is what could make them a possible choice for use in environmental chambers. Life cycle testing can be affected by moving air which could contaminate the required sterile conditions.
Some testing is done with the sole purpose of measuring the effect of infrared energy on a product.
While infrared heaters would not be effective in ovens where an even temperature gradient is needed, there can also be applications where spot testing, accelerated life cycle testing, or the effects of temperature difference is required that would be very suitable for using ceramic heaters. The potential is great for specialized testing facilities, or possibly environmental vacuum systems where convection type heat is an impossibility. As with many other markets, the environmental chamber industry is virtually unexplored territory for ceramic use. It is up to all of us to make these industries aware of ceramic infrared heaters and their possible potential. This issue of The Salamander News is designed to make you hungry.