Silicon carbide (SiC) heating elements are the workhorse of industrial high-temperature furnaces up to roughly…
MoSi2 vs Kanthal: Which Heating Element Should You Choose?
MoSi2 vs Kanthal: Which Heating Element Should You Choose?
When you spec a high-temperature furnace, two names come up constantly: MoSi2 (molybdenum disilicide) and Kanthal — the Fe-Cr-Al (iron-chromium-aluminium) alloy family. Both are proven and both run in air, but they occupy very different temperature bands and price points. This guide helps you pick without over- or under-buying.
If you are new to the material, start with our introduction to MoSi2 heating elements; for the temperature grades see EQ1700 / EQ1800 / EQ1850 explained.
The short answer
Choose Kanthal when your process tops out at roughly 1300°C and budget matters. Choose MoSi2 when you need to run above ~1400°C — especially for dental zirconia, technical ceramics and glass, where few metal alloys survive.
Side-by-side comparison
| Property | Kanthal (Fe-Cr-Al) | MoSi2 |
|---|---|---|
| Max element temp (air) | ~1400°C (A-1); up to ~1425°C (APM) | 1700 / 1800 / 1850°C by grade |
| Material | Iron-chromium-aluminium alloy | Ceramic-intermetallic (MoSi2) |
| Protective scale | Al2O3 (alumina) | SiO2 (silica) |
| Brittle? | No — ductile, can be bent/cut | Yes — handle by cold ends |
| Heat-up speed | Moderate | Fast (low thermal mass) |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | 1100–1300°C ovens, general furnaces | >1400°C ceramics, dental, glass, labs |
When Kanthal is the better fit
- The chamber holds below ~1300°C continuously.
- You want the lowest upfront cost and a ductile element you can trim on site.
- You need long, straight heating lengths in air atmospheres.
When MoSi2 wins
- You need 1500°C+ — Kanthal simply cannot hold it.
- Dental zirconia sintering, technical ceramics, glass melting, advanced materials.
- You want fast heat-up and a clean, stable element surface.
For the high-end decision versus silicon carbide, see our MoSi2 vs SiC guide. Atmosphere limits matter too — read how atmosphere affects MoSi2 life.
Why HeatingDriver
We supply both MoSi2 and SiC elements with no minimum order (1 piece) and fast turnaround, each matched to your furnace drawing before it ships.
Related guides
- Molybdenum disilicide heating elements
- Silicon carbide heating elements
- MoSi2 vs SiC heating elements guide
- W-type MoSi2 heating elements
- Silicon carbide heating elements complete guide
Why Specify Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2) heating elements with HeatingDriver
HeatingDriver is a manufacturer and exporter of Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2) heating elements with nearly 20 years of experience supplying furnace builders, labs, and integrators worldwide. We stock standard grades and build custom sizes from your drawings, and we review your element drawings free of charge before production. Browse our Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2) heating elements catalog or contact our engineers for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Kanthal the better choice than MoSi2?
Choose Kanthal when the chamber holds below roughly 1300°C continuously, when upfront cost matters, and when you want a ductile element you can bend, cut or trim on site — for example long, straight heating lengths in air atmospheres.
Q: What maximum temperature can each element reach in air?
Kanthal (Fe-Cr-Al) reaches about 1400°C in the A-1 grade and up to about 1425°C for APM. MoSi2 is supplied in 1700, 1800 and 1850°C grades. Above roughly 1400°C Kanthal simply cannot hold the temperature, which is where MoSi2 takes over.
Q: When does the higher cost of MoSi2 pay off?
When you need 1500°C or more — dental zirconia sintering, technical ceramics, glass melting and advanced materials — and when you want fast heat-up from low thermal mass with a clean, stable element surface. Below that, Kanthal does the same job for less.
Q: Are the two handled and installed the same way?
No. Kanthal is ductile and can be bent or cut, while MoSi2 is brittle and must be handled by its cold ends. They also rely on different protective scales: alumina (Al2O3) on Kanthal and silica (SiO2) on MoSi2.
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