Silicone rubber pads are widely used.There are two different types of heating element processes with different advantages: wire wound or etched foil.
1. Silicone heater process - winding
Winding mats use thin, spaced-apart resistance wire wrapped around a fiberglass support and are best for unusually shaped mats. They are durable, making them ideal for heaters that often need to be removed and reinstalled. They can be manufactured quickly and inexpensively without tools, making them ideal for low-volume projects and prototypes.
2. Silicone heater process - etching
Etched foil pads use chemically etched foils. They heat up faster, having higher power density and better heat transfer. They heat more evenly and last longer. However, they are more prone to damage from repeated bending. They require a pre-determined tooling cost, but have a more highly automated manufacturing process, which makes them more cost-effective for high-volume projects.
