Mica tube is widely used as an insulation sleeve in hair dryers, air blowers, hot guns and many other equipment, devices and elements. It has several strengths compared with industrial ceramic tube products — good electrical insulation, resistance to rapid temperature change, not friable, flexible sizing, easy delivery and low cost. If the user does not require very high long-term operating temperatures above 1000 °C, the mica tube will be a quite general choice for high-temperature and high-voltage insulation.
The figures below cover the four key parameters — operating temperature, length, inner diameter and shape options. Confirm the exact dimensions on the enquiry.
Mica tubes are manufactured in four cross-section profiles. The shape is chosen by the housing geometry and by how the tube will be fitted around the conductor or heating element.
Round Mica Tube
The most common profile. Used where the conductor or element is round and the tube is inserted into a round bore or over a round rod.
Square Mica Tube
Used where the housing has flat walls and the tube must sit flush inside a rectangular channel or between flat plates.
Oval Mica Tube
Used where the available space is narrow in one direction and wider in the other — for example in slim heating elements and compact appliances.
Rectangular Mica Tube
Used where the widest possible flat insulation surface is required within a low-profile housing, such as flat heating plates and strip elements.
Mica tube and industrial ceramic tube are both used as high-temperature insulation sleeves, but they behave differently on the bench and in service. Use the comparison below to decide which is right for your design.
For the majority of high-temperature and high-voltage insulation duties below 1000 °C, mica tube is the more practical choice. These are the advantages:
Good electrical insulation
Suitable for high-voltage applications — the tube electrically isolates the conductor or element from the metal housing.
Anti rapid temp change
Resists thermal shock from on-off cycling, which is common in heating elements and small appliances.
Not friable
Does not chip or shatter like ceramic. Survives impact, drops and vibration in service and in transit.
Size flexible
Inner diameters from 3 mm to 300 mm, lengths from 3 mm to 1000 mm, and four cross-section shapes.
Easy delivery
Lightweight and robust for shipping — no special packing or handling required compared with ceramic.
Cheap cost
Lower material and production cost than industrial ceramic tube, and no minimum wall thickness penalty.
Mica tubes are prepared by using mica paper or splitting mica fixed with glue, or by using mica paper glued on the side of a reinforced material, then processed by roll-winding into a rigid tube. This construction gives the tube excellent mechanical strength and electrical properties, which is why it is suitable for all kinds of electric motors and electrical appliances, and for electric smelting furnaces.
The properties of the finished tube are determined by four factors — the same four that control mica tape performance:
Mica tube is a general-purpose high-temperature electrical insulation material. It is used wherever a conductor or heating element must be insulated from a metal housing at continuous temperatures up to 1000 °C.
What is a mica tube used for?
Mica tube is used as a high-temperature and high-voltage insulation sleeve. Typical applications include hair dryers, air blowers, hot guns and many other electrical devices, equipment and heating elements, plus electric motors, electrical appliances and electric smelting furnaces. It is used wherever the conductor or heating element must be electrically insulated from a metal housing at continuous temperatures up to 1000 °C.
What temperature range can a mica tube handle?
Mica tubes operate from 130 °C to 1000 °C. They are recommended where the long-term operating temperature does not exceed 1000 °C. Above that, a different insulation material should be considered. The tube also resists rapid temperature change (thermal shock), which is important in heating elements that cycle on and off.
What sizes and shapes are available?
Mica tubes are available in lengths from 3 mm to 1000 mm (0.12" to 40") and inner diameters from 3 mm to 300 mm (0.12" to 12"). Four cross-section shapes are produced: round, square, oval and rectangular. Extra-long tubes can be produced on request — send us the required length and we will confirm feasibility and lead time.
Why choose a mica tube instead of an industrial ceramic tube?
Mica tube has several advantages over industrial ceramic tube: good electrical insulation, resistance to rapid temperature change, non-friable structure (it does not chip or shatter), flexible sizing (round, square, oval and rectangular), easier delivery and lower cost. Ceramic tube has higher mechanical strength at very high temperatures, but mica tube is the more practical choice for the majority of high-temperature and high-voltage insulation duties below 1000 °C.
How is a mica tube made?
Mica tube is prepared by using mica paper or splitting mica fixed with glue, or by using mica paper glued on the side of a reinforced material, then processed by rolling into a rigid tube. This gives the tube excellent mechanical strength and electrical properties, which is why it is suitable for electric motors, electrical appliances and electric smelting furnaces.
Can you produce extra-long mica tubes?
Yes. Standard lengths run from 3 mm to 1000 mm, but extra-long mica tubes can be produced to order. Send us the required length, inner diameter, outer diameter, shape and quantity, and we will confirm feasibility and lead time.
Tell us the shape (round, square, oval or rectangular), the inner diameter, the outer diameter or wall thickness, the length and the required quantity. If you need an extra-long tube or a non-standard size, send us the drawing and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and price.
