Immersion Heater and Heater Elements

There are many reasons why metals are treated in liquids and why the liquid should be heated when it is.

Oil Treatment – Metals need to be cooled down to be set, but much the same as the heating process, cooling down needs to be done gradually to avoid thermal shock and damaging the metal. While this process was once done with water, the water would boil too rapidly for effective slow cooling.

Oil, however, retains heat more easily and allows the metal to cool at a slower rate. When heated with immersion heater elements, the oil can stay at a consistent heat to slow the cooling process even further or allow the metal to stay at high heat when immersed.

Pickling in Acid – During any stage of the smelting process metals can become stained or blemished, or harbour impurities such as rust and scaling. By pickling the metal in an acid bath, you can strip it of impurities, scaling, and discolourations. The acid is heated with immersion heater elements to prevent thermal shock from rapid cooling.

Caustic Soda – This treatment works much the same as acid, and prepares the surface of the treated metal for further metal treatments and metalworking processes. Caustic soda is highly corrosive, so like acid, you should carefully monitor your metals to avoid damaging the metal.

Water heating – Our immersion heaters can be used to superheat water, as water quenching still has its place in the metalworking industry. To avoid rapid cooling and water evaporation, the water is heated to reduce thermal shock and avoid rapid bubbling/evaporation. Water can also be used to clean your metals after they’ve been treated or acid bathed.