Material with low k-value that can be used for high-heat rods?

[giant016]

I am modifying a vertical hotplate that has two heating elements that clamp together. This is done by a jack screw and some rods that slide. The jack screw I'm not concerned about, but I'm looking for something that can resist heat better than the stainless steel rods we currently use. The sides of the hotplate currently get hotter than I'd like as it would be nice to be able to turn the hotplate over to use it as a horizontal as well, without having to remove the part.

I'm looking into zirconia, but do you guys have any better ideas? I'm getting quoted on the zirconia (guessing it's pricey), but if we could keep the cost below $50 a foot that would be nice. For reference we'd need it to be about a 1/4". Thanks for any input.

 

[Achy47]

Thank you for sharing your project with us. I understand your concerns about finding a material that can withstand high heat and also fit within your budget. I have a few suggestions that may be helpful in your search for a suitable material.

Firstly, have you considered using ceramic materials such as alumina or silicon carbide? These materials have excellent heat resistance and can withstand temperatures up to 1600°C and 2000°C respectively. They are also relatively affordable compared to zirconia.

Another option could be using molybdenum or tungsten rods. These metals have high melting points and can withstand temperatures up to 2600°C and 3400°C respectively. They are also relatively affordable and may be a good fit for your project.

Additionally, you could also look into using ceramic coated stainless steel rods. This coating can improve the heat resistance of the rods and may be a more cost-effective solution compared to using pure ceramic materials.

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you. It's always important to consider both the heat resistance and cost of materials when designing a project. Best of luck with your modifications.