Heating by Infrared![Spektrum Infrarot]()
Technological Background of IR Radiation
Infrared beams are invisible to the human eye.
According to DIN 5031, IR radiation lies in the spectral range from 0,78 μm (= 780 nm) to 10,0 μm.
This quite big range can be divided into the following areas:
- IR-A or short wave (0,78 μm to 1,4 μm)
- IR-B or medium wave (1,4 μm to 3,00 μm)
- IR-C or long wave (3,00 μm to 10,0 μm)
Heating up with Ralotherm-IR - without direct contact
The thermal process using short waved Ralotherm infrared technology (IR-A) is optimally adapted to the materials involved as well as very efficient .
Almost all solid matters like, for example, polymers or metals do have an absorption maximum, where the radiation is converted into heat directly. This maximum is situated within the wave lengths range of near infrared (IR-A) for many materials, which follows directly after the red radiation of the visible light spectrum.
When working in this wave lengths range it is possible to heat up those materials within seconds. A further slight shift of this wave lengths region may also influence the depth of the heating process: should maybe just the surface or the whole body be heated in the process time? Other technologies will never be able to act in such a material specific way - and also do need much more time to heat up the matter.
In order to reach highest possible efficiencies, the short-wave irradiation of the materials is indispensable. Ralotherm lamps are optimally suited sources of this short waved radiation. The halogen cycle that starts when the lamp is in operation and hot makes the lamp live longer.
The high efficiency of this technology does not just derive from the absorption properties of the materials to be heated, but also from the interaction with those of the atmosphere. Differing from all other processes, infrared technology does not need to use an intermediation medium. In alternative heating methods, for example, air is heated up which then, warms the material. This can never work without losses!
That makes these processes inefficient and polluting the environment.
When using short wave infrared radiation the surroundings will stay untouched by the radiation - just the body will be heated. This physical condition makes sure that short wave infrared technology is unsurpassed in its efficiency and environmentally friendliness. Ralotherm infrared lamps save resources and are a material considerate alternative.