Nickel Chromium Alloys : Heating Element & Resistance Alloys
Nickel Chromium Alloys are characterized by high electrical resistivity and resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. Different combinations of Nickel & Chromium are used for making grades suitable for different temperatures. These alloys are used for making heating elements for industrial furnaces that can be used in alternating oxidizing/reducing atmosphere. They are also used to make heating elements for domestic appliances, such as toasters, geysers, etc. Nickel-Chromium alloys also find use in the production of precision resistors and potentiometers for automotive and consumer electronics industries.
Nichrome (also known as NiCr, nickel-chromium or chromium-nickel) is a family of alloys of nickel and chromium (and occasionally iron) commonly used as resistance wire, heating elements.
A common nichrome alloy is 80% nickel and 20% chromium by mass, but there are many other combinations of metals for various applications.
Nickel Chromium Alloys:
- NiCr 80:20
- NiCr 70:30
- NiCr 60:15
- NiCr 40:20
- NiCr 30:20
- NiCr 20:25
Nickel Chromium Alloys: Heating Element & Resistance
These alloys are especially characterized by high resistivity and high resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. They are suitable for making high-value electrical resistors, heating wires, heating cords and cables.
NiCr 80:20 is suitable for heating elements used for temperatures upto 1200°C. This is used for electrical cooking equipment, precison resistors. Oxidized wires of these alloys display better insulation properties.
NiCr 70:30 is suitable for heating elements used for temperatures upto 1230°C for industrial furnaces which have alternating oxidizing, or reducing atmosphere. This alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and long life in air and controlled atmospheres.
NiCr 60:15 is suitable for heating elements used for temperatures upto 1150°C. This is used for electrically heated equipment, high resistance and potientiometer resistors.
NiCr 40:20 is suitable for heating elements used for temperatures upto 1050°C. This is used for domestic heating appliances, furnaces in carburizing, or semi-reducing atmospheres.
NiCr 30:20 / NiCr 20:25 are suitable for heating elements used for temperatures upto 1050°C. Inspite of relatively high Fe content, these alloys are resistant to oxidation and chemical corrosion. They are used for making heating elements of cooking equipment, heating cords and cables.
Specifications of Nichrome Alloys :
| Alloy | ASTM | Werkstoff Nr | UNS designation | DIN |
| NiCr 80:20 | B344 | 2.4869 | N06003 | 17470 / 17471 |
| NiCr 70:30 | - | 2.4658 | N06003 | 17470 |
| NiCr 60:15 | - | 2.4867 | N06004 | 17470 / 17471 |
| NiCr 40:20 | - | - | - | - |
| NiCr 30:20 | B344 | 1.4860 | - | 17470 |
| NiCr 20:25 | - | 1.4843 | - | 17470 |
Nominal Chemical Composition (%) :
| Grade | Ni | Mn | Fe | Si | Cr | C | Al | Cu |
| NiCr 80:20 | Balance | Max 1.0 | Max 1.0 | 1.0-1.5 | 19-21 | Max 0.10 | Max 0.30 | Max 0.50 |
| NiCr 70:30 | Balance | Max 1.0 | Max 1.0 | 1.0-3.0 | 28-32 | Max 0.10 | Max 0.20 | Max 0.50 |
| NiCr 60:15 | Min 57.0 | Max 1.0 | Balance | 1.0-1.5 | 14-17 | Max 0.10 | Max 0.30 | Max 0.50 |
| NiCr 40:20 | Min 37.0 | Max 1.0 | Balance | 1.8-3.0 | 18-22 | Max 0.10 | Max 0.30 | Max 0.50 |
| NiCr 30:20 | Min 28.0 | Max 1.0 | Balance | 1.8-3.0 | 18-22 | Max 0.10 | Max 0.30 | Max 0.50 |
| NiCr 20:25 | Min 18.0 | Max 1.0 | Balance | 1.0-1.5 | 23-27 | Max 0.10 | Max 0.30 | Max 0.50 |
Size Range :
| Form | Dia | Width | Thickness |
| mm | mm | mm | |
| Wire | 0.10 - 12.0 | - | - |
| Strip | - | 10 - 100 | 0.2 - 4.5 |
| Ribbon | - | 2.0 - 4.5 | 0.2 - 1.0 |
Other Grades of Nickel-Chromium resistance alloys are also available. Please contact us for more information.