How to choose the heater material of electric food steamer

In the design and manufacturing process of electric food steamers, the selection of heater materials is a crucial link. This choice not only directly affects the heating efficiency, durability and safety of the equipment, but also has a profound impact on the quality and taste of the food.

In terms of material selection, corrosion resistance is the primary consideration. When the electric food steamer is running, the heater will be in contact with water, steam and food residues for a long time, so the corrosion resistance of the material is particularly important. Stainless steel has become a commonly used heater material in electric food steamers due to its excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. It is especially suitable for use in environments with high temperature, high pressure, strong corrosion and high viscosity media. In addition, materials such as fluoroplastics and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are also widely used in heaters in harsh working environments due to their excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.

Thermal conductivity is also a key factor in the selection of heater materials. Good thermal conductivity means that the material can quickly convert electrical energy into thermal energy, thereby improving heating efficiency. Copper and aluminum are two metals with excellent thermal conductivity, which are suitable for low-power and low-temperature heaters. However, aluminum is prone to oxidation corrosion during use, so appropriate protective measures need to be taken when applying it. For high temperature and high power heaters, tungsten and nickel-chromium alloys are ideal choices due to their excellent high temperature resistance and high power characteristics.

In addition to corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity, resistivity and temperature coefficient of resistance are also important indicators that cannot be ignored. Materials with high resistivity can effectively convert electrical energy into thermal energy, while materials with low temperature coefficient of resistance can maintain a relatively stable resistance value when the temperature changes, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the heater. Nickel-chromium alloys and iron-chromium-aluminum alloys are widely used in the manufacture of heating elements due to their high resistivity and low temperature coefficient of resistance.

When selecting heater materials, mechanical properties and processing properties are also indispensable. Heaters are affected by thermal and mechanical stresses during operation. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the material, such as tensile strength, ductility and plasticity, must meet the corresponding standards. At the same time, the processing properties of the material are directly related to the manufacturing cost and production efficiency of the heater. For example, nickel-chromium alloys and iron-chromium-aluminum alloys not only have good mechanical properties, but also have excellent processing properties, and can be easily made into heating elements of various shapes and sizes.

Safety is another important consideration in material selection. When the heater is running at high temperature, if the material is not properly selected, it may cause safety hazards such as fire or electric shock. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that the selected material has good insulation performance and high temperature resistance. In addition, reasonable safety protection measures, such as the installation of overheat protection devices and leakage protection devices, should also be an important part of the design process.