What is a 510 Thread Cartridge?

January 04, 2023

What is a 510 Cartridge?

510 Cartridges are a widely common and convenient method for the consumption of concentrate products. 510 threaded vape pen technology has improved drastically in terms of performance and safety over the past few years.

A 510-threaded vape cartridge is typically filled with distillates or oils. Since its inception, 510 threaded oil carts have been a standard in the vaporizer industry. Individual companies have developed their own proprietary hardware and pen styles over time. However, the 510 thread format has remained the dominant trend within the market space. 

Let's take a more in-depth look at what a 510 cartridge is comprised of...

What is 510 threading?

'510 threading' refers to the male end of the cartridge having 10 metal threads at 0.5 mm intervals. The term was first coined by Joyetech when they launched their eGo-T electronic cigarette back in the late 2000s. 510 threaded cartridges were quickly adopted by many companies and became the industry standard. 

What material is used for 510 threading?

510 threading on cartridges are often made with materials that offer a ratio between conduction and durability. Types of 510 threading material can include:

• Stainless Steel: A durable metal alloy that can also conduct electrical currents, but not as well as copper or gold. However, its durable nature makes it longer lasting due to being less malleable or prone to corrosion.
• Copper: A common material known for its adept conduction. Thus, making it a prime candidate for electrical power supply connections. However, it is a more chemically reactive metal, making it susceptible to oxidation and fretting corrosion.
• Gold Plating: Gold has slightly less electrical conduction than copper. However, it is a better candidate for electrical connectivity due to its resistance to oxidation. Gold is a softer metal meaning more surface area is able to make contact. Therefore, it has less resistance as opposed to stainless steel or copper.

Anatomy of 510 threaded cartridges

A 510-threaded cartridge is a pre-filled capsule device with various components and features. Oil cartridges usually contain a heating element, atomizer, reservoir, and internal components necessary for vaporizing substances into an aerosol. Most cartridges on the market are comprised of the following:

• Mouthpiece: The opening from which vapor is inhaled by a user orally. Often made from a variety of materials such as metal, ceramic, plastic, or wood.

• Airflow Aperture: Airflow is an inherent factor in determining the size of vape clouds as well vape intensity. Typically, a cartridge will have either static or adjustable airflow apertures, located in either the top or bottom of the cartridge. Some cartridges offer adjustable airflow valves to provide user preference, such as our DM 009.

Top Airflow: Air travels downward, over the coil, and back up through the mouthpiece. Possesses an advantage in regards to fluid leak resistance.

Bottom Airflow: Air travels directly upward over the coil, through the canal, and out of the mouthpiece. Providing more flavor, however, the tradeoff is a greater risk of leakage due to the nature of the airflow location.

• Tank/Reservoir: The portion of a cartridge that acts as the housing chamber for extracts and oils. Glass housing can be made from a variety of materials depending on the chemical makeup, durability, and thermal properties.

• Oil Intake Holes: Small holes that allow fluid to flow from the Tank / Reservoir into the combustion chamber where the heating element vaporizes it.

• 510 Threading: The connection point between the cartridge and the battery that powers the atomizer and heats the coil.

• Heating Element: The coil of the vape cartridge that becomes heated by a connection to a power source. Which then vaporizes the fluid making contact with this component, transforming the substance into an aerosol that is inhaled.

Materials used for the body of 510 vape cartridges.

• Metal Alloys: Favored by the industry because of their low cost to produce and ease of manufacturing. The vape cartridge market was dominated by this material up until 2019. However, due to a wave of vape-related illnesses caused by respiratory heavy metal exposure, the market has shifted to ceramics.
• Ceramics: Materials such as Alumina and Zirconia ceramics (Medical grade). This material has become a prominent choice for use in cartridge manufacturing. Due largely in part to the mitigated health risks, enhanced durability, and heat management.

A more detailed analysis can be found here: Zirconia Vs. Metal Cartridges: A Cost Benefit Analysis.

Different heating element materials in 510 vape cartridges

• Metal: A common material in the early days of electronic vaporizer technology. Metal atomizers are comprised of alloys coupled with cotton-wicking agents. Metal heating elements feature a high heating coefficient and are adept in managing thermal expansion. However, they possess a variety of flaws that present issues for optimal use and safety. 

Studies have shown that metal alloys used as a heating element pose a severe health risk. This is due to oxidized components leaching heavy metals into extracts and concentrates over some time.

Metal heating elements coupled with cotton wicking agents show inconsistent performance in tandem with high-viscosity oils. Primarily because of the cotton-wicking agent failing to absorb products adequately. This causes issues such as spitting or dry hitting.

• Quartz: Heats very quickly, with a high-temperature threshold. However, this can lead to harsh vaping, potentially burning your product, and tarnishing the flavor. Quartz heating elements possess low heat retention, therefore constant thermal fluctuations. This causes fragility throughout an inherently shorter lifespan.
• Ceramic: A permeable material with a low heating coefficient and high heat retention. Ceramic has a longer lifespan in comparison to other materials due to being less susceptible to thermal expansion or contraction. This heating element is ideal for maximizing flavor fidelity and cartridge longevity.

What are 510 batteries?

A 510-thread battery is the power supply for vaporizing your concentrate products in conjunction with a cartridge. 510 threaded batteries come in various shapes, sizes, and functionalities.

Draw Activated: Drawing air through the cartridge will prompt the flow sensors to initiate the vaping process. This creates a seamless vaping experience. Draw-activated batteries are usually designed for all-in-one disposable vape devices with limited battery life. Allowing for the product to be ready to use right out of the package.

Button Activated: Pressing the button activates vaping process and also allows adjustments to the voltage settings for a customized vaping experience. This variety of batteries often offers variable voltage settings and led lights to indicate presets. A variable voltage setting allows a user to more accurately control the temperature of their vapes depending on the product consumed.

DM Lift’s 510 threaded vape batteries can be designed as either draw or button activated. Our button-activated batteries feature adjustable voltage settings ranging from 2.6V, 3.3V, or 4V. This ensures the best vaping experience regardless of what kind of product is being vaped.  

Written by: Louis Vejmola

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