Chromalox has hit a new milestone! Since 1917 we've been driven by a pioneering spirit and built on opportunity and innovation. Chromalox was founded by a young engineer by the name of Edwin L. Wiegand. Through his intense curiosity in electrical conductivity, this led to the invention and patent of the electric resistance-metal sheath heating element that would create an entire industry. Chromalox has evolved to become the strong, respected, global industrial heating manufacturer with a well recognized global brand. Today we are known as the trusted experts who help companies solve the world’s most demanding and complex industrial heating challenges.
Our Brand Through the Years
See how our Chromalox brand logo and advertising literature has changed, through the years. We have kept up with changes in technology and market trends, as we evolved as a company.
Chromalox was the first heater on the moon.
In 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module used a strip heater in the electronic control box of a fuel triggering device.
Chromalox Protected the Mammals
Water discharge from a 1960s power plant created a coastal lagoon that became a winter home to over 20% of the manatee population. Chromalox saved them from a replacement power plant that would put the protected mammal in danger by supplying heat to the water during cold snaps.
Do You Like Waffles?
Chromalox ring heaters help cook tens of millions waffles a year for the world.
Yankee Players Keep Warm
Chromalox keeps the New York Yankee players warm, by providing heated benches in the dugout.
The First Chromalox Product Sold
The first product Chromalox sold was a SE style strip heater for $1.25 each – and it's still offered in our catalog to this day!
We've Kept the History
The global headquarters is still located in Pittsburgh, PA, the city of our origin.
Need Heating Cable?
Chromalox makes enough heating cable each year to stretch from northern Italy to the tip of Sicily.
Chromalox is on the Moon
Chromalox heaters were used on the moon missions in the 1960s. Some are still located on the moon!
Chromalox is Always Innovating
Chromalox has over 290 patents worldwide, with the fist one being issued in 1920.
How did we get our name?
The Chromalox name is actually derived from the heating element construction.
CHROMAL - Combination of the chromium alloy used in the resistance wire and manufacturing process.
LOX - Process of locking the resistance wire into the dielectric material.
Flexible Heaters Integral to DNA Studies
Our flexible heaters are integral to a process that rapidly sequences and create billions of copies of DNA strands for scientific and medical applications.
Our Heating Systems Essential to Solar Cell Manufacture
Our specialized heating systems process the core components necessary to manufacture a gigawatts worth of photovoltaic solar cells per year.
Chromalox is Used on Navy Warships
Our oil and air heating systems are used on Navy warships in mission critical applications and are able to withstand the effects of a bomb or torpedo blast.
Unique Systems for NASA Laboratories
Our one-of-a-kind control system installed in NASA’s laboratories provide specialized testing capabilities for their space program.
Specialized Environmental Heating for Zoo Habitats
Our heat trace cable and heaters are used in zoos throughout the world to provide a controlled climate leopards, bears, foxes, otters, sloths, and other animals.
Chromalox Helps "Break the Ice"
Our heaters keep US Coast Guard ice breaking ships from getting stuck.
Medical Sanitation
Our boilers create millions of pounds of steam per hour, around the world, to sanitize medical instruments, devices, and equipment.
Featured Stories about Chromalox
After a century of innovation, Chromalox has built many lasting relationships by working with suppliers and customers. So many people have been part of Chromalox's history and have added to its success.
We want to take this opportunity to hear from you and thank you in sharing your stories or experiences with Chromalox.
Enjoyed My Career at Chromalox
I began my career at Chromalox in 1962 as a product specialist for radiant heaters. I left in 1963 to work for Faber associates, our rep in the NYC/NJ territory to work as an office application engineer and eventually became an outside sales and application engineer. I returned to Chromalox HQ in 1981.
Very Happy with Hot Water Heater
I have a Chromalox electric hot water furnace, 20 kW delivered by four 5 kw heating elements. It is neatly mounted on a wall. Although it is not the original furnace (which was oil-fired), it was installed before we bought the house in 1995, so it is probably a good 25 years old. It still works very well!
I have enjoyed working with your products
I worked at a pharmaceutical company as an electronic technician. We used small boilers for clean steam. I setup the controls on these units and set them up with Master and slave controls. I am retired now but enjoyed working with your products.
After 15 years, still a great place to work
I have worked at Chromalox in Nuevo Laredo Mexico for 15 years. It is a place that has given me the opportunity to grow and learn. This has made me appreciate a company that values you and gives you the opportunity to develop. It is a pride to celebrate the 100th anniversary with the Chromalox family and to be part of it.
Chromalox Heaters Saved Us Money
Using Chromalox electric immersion heaters, in the oil storage tanks, does an exceptional job of uniformly heating and separating the crude thereby eliminating the off-spec condition and the associated pricing penalties. This has worked well in dozens of plants throughout the oil industry.
Chromalox Heaters Still Working After 50 Years
I started doing work with Chromalox products, at the High Voltage Services substation, in Toronto Canada, in 1956, that uses Chromalox heaters. I also use Chromalox heaters in my oil reclamation machine which is still in use since 1963 and the heaters are FUNCTIONING LIKE NEW. The plant in Toronto also is still working!! Keep up the good work.
Chromalox heaters used on the US Space Shuttle Program
Chromalox heaters have been used on the US Space Shuttle program. As the shuttle re-enters the atmosphere, a large amount of heat is generated on the underside due to the speed it is traveling. Silica tiles are used to shield the shuttle’s equipment and personnel from the temperatures than can reach over 3,000 °F.
Chromalox Heaters in First Nuclear Power Plant
Chromalox heaters were used in the first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States. The Shippingport Atomic Station was located just downriver from the Chromalox facility. It first started electrical production in 1957, with the Chromalox heaters being used through the entire 25 year life-span.
One of Many 'Firsts'
Chromalox units are used as equipment for the nuclear reactors used on the US Navy ships and submarines. Along with many other ‘firsts’, Chromalox heaters were used on the world’s first nuclear powered submarine – the USS Nautilus in 1954. The USS Nautilus broke several records for submarines.
Control Systems Protect Costly Jackets
A chemical manufacturing plant in a Class 1 Division 1 Hazard Area, required a variety of various glass-lined and Hastelloy® jacketed vessels to be heated to 600°F (315.5°C).
Multiple Zone Heating Technology
This white paper uncovers the need for high performance component heating solutions in large, high temperature industrial applications and discusses the benefits of multiple zone heating element technology.
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