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Cartridge Energy Calculator

How much energy do we need to heat a cartridge from room temperature to injection temperature?

🔬 The Physics

Q = m × cp × ΔT

Q = Energy (Joules) m = Mass (kg) cp = Specific Heat (J/kg·K) ΔT = Temp. Change (K)

20°C

Start Temperature

→

200°C

Target Temperature

180 K

Temperature Change (ΔT)

Metal Components

Steel Tube

1" × 200mm DIN EN 10253-2

456.1 g

Mass

500

cp (J/kg·K)

11.40 Wh

Energy Required

Brass Reducers

1" → 1/2" (×2)

145.4 g

Mass (×2)

380

cp (J/kg·K)

2.76 Wh

Energy Required

Steel Piston

For 1" tube

24.6 g

Mass

500

cp (J/kg·K)

0.61 Wh

Energy Required

Brass Caps

Female 1/2" (×2)

56.1 g

Mass (×2)

380

cp (J/kg·K)

1.07 Wh

Energy Required

Plastic Fill (~115 cm³)

Polypropylene

104.1 g

Mass

1,900

cp (J/kg·K)

9.89 Wh

Energy Required

HDPE

High-Density Polyethylene

109.3 g

Mass

2,300

cp (J/kg·K)

12.57 Wh

Energy Required

LDPE

Low-Density Polyethylene

105.8 g

Mass

2,300

cp (J/kg·K)

12.17 Wh

Energy Required

PLA

Polylactic Acid

143.8 g

Mass

1,800

cp (J/kg·K)

12.94 Wh

Energy Required

📊 Energy Distribution (Metal vs Plastic)

Empty

15.85 Wh

+ PP

15.85

9.89

25.74 Wh

+ HDPE

15.85

12.57

28.42 Wh

+ LDPE

15.85

12.17

28.02 Wh

+ PLA

15.85

12.94

28.79 Wh

Complete Cartridge — Total Energy

Empty Cartridge

15.85 Wh

Metal only

🏆 Best: PP
25.74 Wh
Lowest energy

HDPE

28.42 Wh

Metal + Plastic

LDPE

28.02 Wh

Metal + Plastic

PLA

28.79 Wh

Highest density

Key Takeaways

Metal dominates — 55-62% of total energy goes to heating the cartridge itself
PP is most efficient — lightest plastic with lowest specific heat
PLA needs most energy — highest density means more mass to heat
~25-29 Wh budget — that's the energy needed per full cartridge
Pre-heating helps — higher start temp = less ΔT = less energy