The mineral insulated band is a high performance heater. Its performance and name are derived from Watlow’s exclusive mineral insulation—a material that has a much higher thermal conductivity than the mica and hard ceramic insulators used in conventional heaters.
A thin layer of the “high” thermal conductive MI material is used to electrically insulate the element wire from the inside diameter of the heater sheath. A thicker, “low” thermal conductivity layer backs up the element wire, directing the heat inward toward the part being heated. The result is more efficient heat transfer ... a performance solution that lowerselement wire temperatures and increases heater life.
Watlow: Your Heat Solutions Resource Brochure (EN)
Watlow: Vos Solutions de Chauffage Brochure (FR)