Single Tube Infrared Quartz Emitter

Infrared Quartz Tube Emitters Engineered for Your Process

The single-tube infrared quartz emitter is the core heating element behind industrial infrared systems. Manufactured from 99.9% pure silica quartz glass and built with a precision-wound resistive filament, each emitter converts electrical energy into targeted infrared radiant heat. As a result, energy is transferred directly to the material surface rather than heating the surrounding air.

Four Emitter Categories — Matched to Your Material and Process

Infrared energy spans a broad electromagnetic spectrum, and different materials absorb energy most efficiently at specific wavelengths. Selecting the correct emitter type is the single most important factor in system performance. The wrong wavelength means wasted energy and inconsistent results.

Quick Reference: Emitter Comparison

Specification	Short Wave	Fast MW (Tungsten)	Fast MW (Carbon)	Medium Wave (NiCr)
Filament	Tungsten	Tungsten	Carbon Wound	Nickel-Chromium
Filament Temp	1,800–2,400°C	1,400–1,800°C	~1,200°C	800–950°C
Peak Wavelength	1.0–1.4 µm	1.4–1.6 µm	~2.0 µm	2.0–4.0 µm
Response Time	~1 sec	1–2 sec	1.5–3 sec	1 min+
Max W/lin. in.	100	60	100	25
Guaranteed Life	5,000 hrs	5,000 hrs	4,000 hrs	10,000 hrs

 

Single Tube Emitter Design Standards

Each single-tube infrared quartz emitter is manufactured from 99.9% pure silica quartz glass, selected for its excellent infrared transmission properties, thermal shock resistance, and durability under continuous industrial operation.

Power Density (Watts per Linear Inch)

Emitter Type	Max Watts / Linear Inch
Short Wave	100 W/lin. in.
Fast-Response Medium Wave (Tungsten)	60 W/lin. in.
Carbon-Based Medium Wave	100 W/lin. in.
Medium Wave (NiCr)	25 W/lin. in.

 

Quartz Tube Diameters

Single tube emitters are available in standard outside diameters of 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, and 19 mm, with selection based on your application geometry, power requirements, and system mounting constraints.

Heated Length

Measured in whole inches. Custom heated lengths are manufactured to match your process zone requirements.

Operating Voltage

Available in 120VAC, 240VAC, and 480VAC configurations.

Electrical Connections

Available with straight wire leads, quick-disconnects, and 90-degree leads to match your system wiring and installation requirements.

Reflector Coatings

• Gold Reflector — A layer of liquid gold applied to the quartz tube surface. Gold reflects greater than 90% of infrared radiation and has a working temperature of approximately 1,200°F when properly cooled. Gold reflectors deliver the highest efficiency for directing radiant energy toward the target material.
• White Ceramic Reflector — A layer of white ceramic is applied to the quartz tube surface. Ceramic reflects approximately 60–70% of infrared radiation. Although not as efficient as gold, ceramic reflectors are more durable and can withstand working temperatures of approximately 1,800°F — making them well-suited for high-temperature or harsh-environment applications.
• Ruby Red Coating — A ruby red coating is applied 360° around the quartz tube. Ruby red functions not as a reflector but as a radiation de-intensifier, reducing and distributing radiant output for applications that require more uniform, lower-intensity heat distribution across the target surface.
• With a reflector applied to 180° of the quartz tube, radiant energy is more efficiently directed toward the material being heated. As a general reference, at 25 mm from the material surface, the energy spread of the emitter extends approximately 12 mm from each side, with peak intensity directly below the tube that blooms outward from the center.

 

Industrial Applications

Single tube infrared quartz emitters serve as the heating element in a wide range of industrial thermal processes. The right emitter configuration for wavelength, power density, and physical dimensions is determined by the material, the process, and the outcome you need to achieve.

• Automotive — paint curing, adhesive activation, component preheating, plastic welding
• Glass — tempering, bending, annealing, and surface treatment
• Photovoltaic — solar cell processing and lamination
• Printing — ink drying, coating curing, and high-speed web processing
• Plastics — thermoforming, shrink packaging, plastic welding, and heat staking
• Textiles — drying, curing, and heat setting
• Food — surface browning, drying, pasteurization, and packaging
• Wood — finish curing, drying, and surface treatment
• Semiconductor — wafer processing and thermal treatment

Each of these processes has unique thermal requirements. If you are unsure which emitter type or configuration fits your application, our engineers can evaluate your process variables and recommend the right solution.

Engineered-to-Order. Inspected Before It Ships.

Emitted Energy manufactures infrared quartz emitters in-house and controls every stage of production, from filament winding to final inspection. Every emitter passes a 10-point quality inspection before leaving our facility to ensure consistent performance in demanding industrial environments.

An infrared emitter is not a commodity. Line speed, material composition, process temperature, and system geometry all directly impact heating performance. Our engineers understand manufacturing processes firsthand and evaluate your application before recommending an emitter configuration.

We build custom emitters every day, including specialized lengths, wattages, wavelengths, tube diameters, lead configurations, and reflector coatings. Whether you need a direct replacement for an existing system or a fully engineered solution for a new thermal process, we manufacture emitters to match your exact specifications.

Infrared heating delivers precise radiant energy with rapid response and complete process control. Whether you are launching a new application, improving efficiency, or converting from conventional heating, we work directly with your team to identify the best emitter technology for your process.