In article ,
Spurious Response wrote:
Eh? Most plastics are poor conductors of heat.


Read what I said again. Sure, most plastics are poor conductors of
heat, however, most, if not all plastics with high temperature capacity
are much better conductors of heat than their intolerant relatives.

Still a better insulator than the sort of metals kettles would otherwise
be made of, though, which was the point.

In other words, if it is a high temp tolerant plastic, it conducts heat
far better than any plastic you might be thinking of. Kinda goes with the
territory.

Now silicone, SOFT plastic types do insulate thermally. That is
different, and there are not a large number of them in that category. We
are talking about solid, construction capable type materials here.
The plastic that would be used on a vat of boiling water as a major
element of its containment would likely be a fair conductor of heat.

The reason low tolerance plastic types have such a low tolerance is
because of their lack of thermal conduction. Apply heat to the surface,
and it stays there. This is a bad thing when said heat can make said
surface reach a melting temperature fairly fast.

Think you're missing the point that the water restricts the maximum
temperature.

--
*If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.