APPLICATIONS that require an EFFECTIVE heat conductor and electric insulator.Electrical current and heat are intricately linked. A conductor will resist some of the energy flow when electrons pass through it (how much resistance depends on the quality of the conductor). The energy that does not flow through the conductor is converted instead into heat energy.This thermal energy can be used to heat up a wire so that it becomes a heating element. This is the principle behind the heat generated in a wide number of consumer appliances, such as hairdryers, toasters, electric iron, and heaters.These appliances, while creating heat, must be safe to use and consistently capable to operate efficiently. Therefore they require an electrical insulator which will not prevent heat from being generated. Hence mica is used in those appliances.Because mica is an insulating material that does not conduct electricity, it provides advanced electrical insulation between electric circuit lines and is widely used as a material in WIRING boards and as the basis for electronic components.Mica is used in various components such as capacitors and resistors because its superior dielectric strength will help guarantee the high performance of key electrical instruments. At the same time, its heat conductive properties mean it can offer an assured level of protection.Mica provides resistance to temperatures up to 650°C and can withstand powerful electric FIELDS. In product form for the power electronics industry, mica comes in tubes and as MANUFACTURED components such as transistor parts, heating elements, washers, and gaskets.