The role of tungsten wire in glass heating process is mainly reflected in efficient heating, stability and precise temperature control ability, and it is an important component to ensure the quality of glass products and process efficiency.
First, as a resistance heating element, tungsten wire can quickly generate high temperature when powered on. The melting point of tungsten is as high as 3422℃, which enables it to work stably without melting or deformation at the extreme high temperature (usually above 1000℃) required for glass softening or melting. In glass manufacturing, such as drawing, blowing or molding processes, tungsten wire heaters can provide precise and uniform heat to ensure that the glass reaches the appropriate viscosity for easy processing and molding.
Secondly, tungsten wire has excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance. In a glass heating environment protected by vacuum or inert gas, tungsten wire can maintain performance for a long time and reduce material loss caused by high temperature oxidation. This is essential for continuous production, such as in glass fiber drawing or glass tube production, where tungsten filament heaters can continuously provide a stable heat source to ensure consistent product quality.
In addition, the high conductivity and fast response characteristics of tungsten filaments make them excellent in precise temperature control. By adjusting the current, the heat generated by the tungsten filament can be accurately controlled, thereby regulating the heating rate and temperature distribution of the glass to avoid overheating or local stress concentration. This is especially important when producing high-precision glass products (such as optical glass or laboratory utensils).
However, tungsten filaments are easily oxidized in the air, so a vacuum or inert gas environment is required in the glass heating process to extend its service life. In addition, the cost of tungsten filaments is relatively high, and reasonable design is required to reduce production costs.
