Silicon carbide (SiC) heating elements are the workhorse of industrial high-temperature furnaces up to roughly…
MoSi2 Elements in Glass Melting & Conditioning Furnaces
Where MoSi2 fits in glass work
MoSi2 elements power a wide slice of glass processing: forehearths, conditioning zones, bending and tempering lehrs, annealing lehrs, and small experimental melters. They hold the tight, stable temperature glass quality depends on, and they do it cleanly — no outgassing to seed the melt.
Temperature and grade
| Glass process | Temperature | Recommended element |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing lehr | 500–700°C | SiC or wire (avoid MoSi2 pesting — why) |
| Bending / tempering | 600–750°C | SiC |
| Soda-lime melting & forehearth | 1300–1500°C | EQ1700 / EQ1800 MoSi2 |
| Borosilicate / speciality melt | 1500–1650°C | EQ1800 MoSi2 |
Watch the glass atmosphere
Molten glass, especially with alkali or borate content, can release vapours that attack elements and refractory. Keep clearance, vent the chamber, and stay inside the atmosphere limits in our atmosphere guide. For heavily contaminated or reducing glass chemistries, SiC or a protected element may be the better call — compare in MoSi2 vs SiC.
Sizing
Glass zones are often long and shallow, so element count and spacing matter for uniformity. Work from kW and the surface load guide, and confirm the layout with the quantity calculator. Full grade data is on the spec sheet.
Summary
MoSi2 (EQ1700/1800) is an excellent choice for glass forehearths, conditioning and speciality melting above ~1300°C, but it is the wrong element for low-temperature lehrs (pesting) — use SiC there. Manage alkali vapour with clearance and venting. See the MoSi2 specification sheet for grade data.
Building or re-elementing a glass furnace? Browse MoSi2 elements in stock, or send us your process temperature and zone length for a layout.
Why specify with HeatingDriver
Why specify with HeatingDriver — HeatingDriver is a manufacturer and exporter of MoSi2 (molybdenum disilicide) heating elements with nearly 20 years of experience. We supply EQ1700U / EQ1800U / EQ1850U grades for 1700–1850°C, free drawing review, custom sizes and shapes, and technical support for furnace builders worldwide. Browse our MoSi2 heating elements.
Can MoSi2 elements be used in glass melting?
Yes. MoSi2 elements are used in glass melting and conditioning furnaces where temperatures up to 1700–1800°C are needed in an oxidising atmosphere.
Which grade suits glass work?
Glass conditioning often uses EQ1700U or EQ1800U, matched to the glass softening and working temperature.
Why oxidising atmosphere for glass?
The protective silica layer on MoSi2 only forms in air/oxygen, which also suits most glass melting environments.
What surface load is typical?
Glass furnaces are designed around a MoSi2 surface load of 4–9 W/cm² with even element spacing for uniform heating.
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