Content:
The basics you need to know
Kanthal® Super grades
Globar® SiC grades
Which one fits your furnace?
Thomas Lewin, Senior Design Engineer, Kanthal.Kanthal offers the widest range of electric heating elements, and two of the most compared technologies for the higher temperature range (above 1,300°C or 2,372°F) are Globar® silicon carbide (SiC) and Kanthal® Super molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂).
Thomas Lewin, Senior Design Engineer at Kanthal, sheds light on the critical parameters that determine which heating element will be the perfect fit for your process.
“Start with the process temperature, it tells you immediately whether you're in silicon carbide or molybdenum disilicide territory,” explains Lewin. “From there, it's about atmosphere compatibility, element design, and how much thermal cycling your process demands.”
Let us see a side-by-side comparison between Globar® SiC and Kanthal® Super MoSi₂ heating elements to help you navigate the complexities of selection with confidence and clarity.
The basics you need to know
Globar® silicon carbide (SiC)
Globar® SiC heating elements are known for their excellent heat transfer, thermal shock resistance, and temperature uniformity. The non-metallic ceramic elements operate up to 1,625°C (2,957°F) and are widely used in the steel, glass, lithium-ion battery, and electronics industries.
Kanthal® Super molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂)
Kanthal® Super MoSi₂ heating elements can reach up to 1,850ºC (3,360ºF) and excel in extreme conditions and demanding atmospheres. The metallic-ceramic heating elements are ideal for glass melting, ceramics, high-temperature heat treatment, and semiconductor processing.
Heating element grades explained
The furnace atmosphere significantly affects the heating element’s lifespan. Both Globar® and Kanthal® Super perform effectively under standard conditions, such as oxidizing or inert atmospheres. However, if your process involves harsher gases like nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, or fluorine, you need to select the appropriate element grade. Failing to do so may result in corrosion, premature failure, or the need for frequent replacements.
Kanthal® Super grades
- Baseline grade
- Excellent heat and electrical conductivity
- Maximum operating temperature: 1,700°C (3,090°F)
- Corrosion and oxidation resistance
- Low thermal expansion
- Maximum operating temperature: 1,800°C (3,270°F)
- Greater material purity
- Improved surface adhesion for specialized applications
- Maximum operating temperature: 1,850°C (3,360°F)
- Durable under frequent thermal cycling
- Maximum operating temperature: 1,830°C (3,330°F)
- Optimized for use in nitrogen and other reducing atmospheres
- Operates up to 1,700ºC (3,090ºF) at a 40ºC (105ºF) dew point in nitrogen rich conditions
- Combines alumina-forming properties with MoSi₂ heat resistance
- Maximum operating temperature: 1,580ºC (2,875ºF) in oxidizing, inert, and reducing atmospheres
- Ultra-clean glaze and low metal content
- Ideal for electronics and research
- Maximum operating temperature: 1,800°C (3,270°F)
Globar® SiC grades
- General-purpose elements for up to 1,600°C (2,910°F)
- Available in single-rod and multi-leg configurations
- Easy to install
- Advanced structure for greater strength and reliability
- Ideal for retrofits
- High-density design with thicker walls for improved corrosion resistance
- Up to 50% longer life
- Reaction-sintered for extreme durability
- Globar® SG has low-resistivity cold ends
- Globar® SR offers flexible single-end connections
- Additionally, Kanthal offers protective coating for SD, AS, and HD grades
- Built for corrosive, moist atmospheres
- Provides tight furnace sealing and uniform heat distribution
Each grade is engineered for specific needs, whether it’s lifetime, cycling, atmosphere compatibility, or geometry flexibility.
Choosing between Globar® and Kanthal® Super isn’t about which one is universally “better”; it’s about which one fits your process, your furnace, and your goals.
Which one fits your furnace?
| Feature | Globar® SiC | Kanthal® Super MoSi₂ |
| Maximum operating temperature | Up to 1,625°C (2,957°F) | Up to 1,850°C (3,360°F) |
| Temperature cycling durability | Excellent | Excellent (Kanthal® Super HT is specifically designed for this) |
| Atmosphere compatibility | Oxidizing, inert, and some reducing | Broad: oxidizing, inert, reducing, nitriding, carburizing |
| Suitability for corrosive environments | Moderate (Glass Seal helps in moist/corrosive areas) | High (Kanthal® Super RA and Kanthal® Super ER grades handle tough atmospheres) |
| Installation and maintenance | Simple installation, easy to replace, and match resistance | Requires trained handling but offers a long service life |
| Element lifespan | Long | Longest among electric elements (especially Kanthal® Super 1900 series) |
| Custom forms and furnace retrofits | Highly flexible: rods, dumbbells, spirals, custom shapes | Moderate: standard forms (rod, twin, spiral) |
| Clean process compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Best fit for... | Fast cycling, ease of maintenance, process stability | Extreme temperatures, demanding atmospheres, and long ROI |
| Applications | Steel heat treatment, glass forehearths, electronics, float glass | Glass melting, ceramics, semiconductors, high-temp sintering |
| Cost of ownership | Moderate upfront, low maintenance | Higher upfront, offset by longer lifespan and productivity |
Let's make it even simpler
Choosing between Globar® and Kanthal® Super isn’t about which one is universally “better”; it’s about which one fits your process, your furnace, and your goals.
If you need:
- Maximum temperature headroom
- Resistance to aggressive atmospheres
- Long service life under continuous use
Go with Kanthal® Super.
If you need:
- Flexible form factors
- Quick installation or replacement
- Strong thermal cycling and stability
Globar® may be the better fit.
“Globar® excels in simplicity, cycling, and clean heating, and Kanthal® Super is your partner when temperatures push boundaries,” assures Lewin.
Still unsure?
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Tell us your atmosphere.
Tell us your pain points.
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