About Chromalox
About Chromalox
Chromalox was founded in 1917 by Edwin L. Wiegand, who invented and patented the electric resistance metal-sheath heating element that launched an entire industry. The company's name combines "chrome," stamped on its original strip heater, with the cement mix used to lock in the heating element, and its earliest commercial application helped shape the modern electric clothes iron.
Chromalox expanded its Pittsburgh manufacturing presence through the 1920s, developing new industrial heating products and processes, and became a public company in 1962. The company later grew internationally through acquisitions of manufacturing facilities in England and France, and strengthened its component heater business with the 2003 purchase of Ogden Manufacturing Company.
Now part of the Spirax Group, Chromalox specializes in thermal energy and fluid technology solutions spanning industrial process heating, immersion heaters, and precision temperature controls. On ChatMRO, process and facilities engineers can search by heater type, voltage, or application to find the right Chromalox component for a project.
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Frequently asked questions
What was Chromalox's original invention?
Chromalox was founded on Edwin L. Wiegand's invention of the electric resistance metal-sheath heating element in 1917, a technology that enabled reliable, durable electric heating in products like the modern clothes iron. This core heating element technology became the foundation for the company's broader industrial heating product lines.
What types of industrial heaters does Chromalox manufacture?
Chromalox manufactures a wide range of industrial electric heaters including immersion heaters, circulation heaters, strip heaters, and process heating systems used across manufacturing, chemical processing, and oil and gas applications. The company also produces temperature controls and instrumentation to pair with its heating equipment.
Is Chromalox still an independent company?
Chromalox is now part of the Spirax Group, a broader thermal energy and fluid technology company, following Chromalox's own history of acquisitions including Ogden Manufacturing Company in 2003. The Chromalox brand continues to operate under this larger group.
What industries use Chromalox heating and control products?
Chromalox's heaters and thermal controls are used across industrial manufacturing, oil and gas processing, chemical plants, and food and beverage production, anywhere precise process heating is required. Its long history in the category has made it a standard reference brand for process heating specifications.
How do I choose the right voltage and wattage for a Chromalox heater?
Selecting the correct voltage and wattage depends on your facility's available power supply and the thermal load required to heat your specific process fluid or material to the target temperature. Specifying your process fluid, target temperature rise, and available voltage when searching helps match you to the right Chromalox model.