Precision Wire: Resistance Nickel Grades - Knight Group

Nichrome Wire
All of the resistance wire products are Nickel-based, with the exception of the ICA Alloys – which are alloys of Iron Chromium and Aluminium, but which exhibit very similar electrical resistance properties as the nickel-chrome alloys.

The alloying of various elements with nickel produces electrical and physical properties that are diverse. Some have been developed for their electrical resistance properties, and some for their strength and corrosion resistance at high temperatures.

Why use Nichrome Wire?
Nichrome Wire – an alloy mixture comprised of nickel and chromium – displays heat and corrosion-resistant characteristics, making it extremely versatile and useful in a range of applications.

The alloy, which has highly resistive properties even at low electrical current, also has high mechanical strength and high creep strength.

What is Nichrome Wire used for?
Nichrome Wire’s properties make it ideal for use in toasters, hairdryers, storage heaters and even industrial furnaces.

The alloy can also be used to create a hot wire cutter which can be used in domestic or industrial applications to make precision cuts on certain foams and plastics.

Nichrome Wire is used as part of remote igniter systems in fireworks, as well, as in laboratories to help detect the presence of trace metals in flames.

The versatile alloy is also used in motorcycle mufflers, in aerospace products as well as the heating coils in electronic cigarettes.

Why use Knight Precision Wire?
At Knight Precision Wire, we’re able to meet every customer’s specific product requirements. We stock an exceptionally wide range of speciality wire but have also extended our capabilities for creating bespoke solutions through our in-house range of production equipment.

Knight Precision Wire are specialist manufacturers of Wire and Cable and can provide free quotations on your requirements. Please get in touch to arrange this.

Available Resistance Nickel Alloys Grades

Ni Cr 37/18 / Ni Cr 3718

Ni Cr 60/16 / NO 6004 / 2.4867 / Ni Cr 6015

Ni Cr 80/20 / NO 6003 / 2.4869 / Ni Cr 8020

Nickel 212

CuNi6 / 2.0807 / Alloy 60

CuNi44 / Hecnum / 2.0842

CuNi23Mn / 2.0881

Cr Al 20-5 / 1.4767 / K 92400 / ICA 135

Cr Al 25-5 / 1.4765 / K 92500 / ICA 145

Nilo® 42 / K94100 / K94101 / NiFe42

K94610 / Nilo K / 29/18 / NiFeK

N07090 / Nimonic® 90

Nilo® 48 / K94800 / NiFe48

Nilo® 36 / K93603 / NiFe36

Nilo®52 / N14052 / NiFe52

Nickel Chrome Alloys Overview

Nickel Chrome Alloys
Nickel Chrome alloys, also known as Nichrome alloys, have excellent electrical resistance properties, operating at temperatures up to 1200 °C. This property, coupled with high resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion, makes these alloys ideal for use as resistance wires in furnaces and heat treatment applications.

 

Nickel Chromium 37/18 (Nichrome 37/18)
A Nichrome alloy with a composition balance primarily of Iron. It is suitable for continuous operation up to a maximum temperature of 1050 °C and is recommended for furnace use with atmospheres which might otherwise cause dry corrosion for higher nickel-content materials. In particular, it has better resistance to sulphur attack and “green-rot” – a type of corrosion produced by alternating carburisation and oxidation. A large temperature coefficient of resistance means that the change of resistance with an increase in temperature must be taken into account during design.

 

Nickel Chromium 60/16 (Nichrome 60/16)
A Nichrome alloy containing long-life additives and with a composition balance of Iron. It is suitable for use up to 1100 °C and has good resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. It has a medium temperature coefficient of resistance that makes it suitable for less exacting applications than 80/20 Nickel Chrome alloys.

 

Nickel Chromium 80/20 (Nichrome 80/20)
A Nichrome alloy containing long-life additions that make it eminently suitable for applications subject to frequent electrical switching and wide temperature fluctuations. It may be used at operating temperatures up to 1200 °C and has good resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. A low-temperature coefficient of resistance coupled with a high resistivity makes it suitable for control resistors.

Manganese Nickel Alloys Overview

A nickel alloy with the addition of 2% Manganese. Applications include electrode support wires and cold tail connectors for heating cables and mats.

Nickel 212 (Manganese Nickel)
A nickel alloy with the addition of 2% Manganese. Applications include electrode support wires and cold tail connectors for heating cables and mats.

Copper Nickel Alloys Overview

Copper Nickel Alloys
Copper Nickel or Cupro-Nickel Alloys cover a range of quite similar materials. Generally, their medium resistivity and low-temperature coefficient of resistance make these alloys ideal for control resistors and thermocouples. Additives to the alloys are introduced to improve specific characteristics. The most popular copper-nickel alloys are introduced below.

 

Copper Nickel 23
Copper Nickel 23 or CuNi23Mn is a copper-nickel alloy with the addition of Manganese to produce an alloy with a relatively low resistivity but high resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. The maximum working temperature is 500 °C. Applications include heating cords and mats.

 

Copper Nickel 6 / Alloy 60
Copper Nickel 6 or Alloy 60 is characterised by low resistivity, with medium resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. The maximum working temperature is 300 °C. This material is used in heating cables and in electrical welded fittings.

 

Hecnum (CuNi44, Constantan)
Hecnum (a registered Trademark of Omega Resistance Wire) or CuNi44 is a Copper Nickel alloy containing Nickel, Manganese and balance Copper. Its medium resistivity, combined with its low-temperature coefficient of resistance, makes it ideal for control resistors. It is suitable for low-temperature heating elements up to a maximum of 400 °C. Due to its high EMF against copper, it is suitable for use in thermocouples and thermocouple extension or compensating leads. Hecnum can be supplied with oxidised or enamelled insulation.

Iron Chrome Aluminium Alloys Overview

Iron Chrome Aluminium Alloys
These alloys are not actually nickel alloys but have electrical resistance properties similar to those of nickel-chrome alloys. These are ferromagnetic alloys that are used in electrical heating elements and, by virtue of having no nickel, are generally cheaper than a nickel chrome alloy. They can operate at high temperatures but suffer from higher corrosion than nickel-chrome alloys. Additionally, at high temperatures, the ICA Alloys tend to creep and become embrittled. Hence care must be taken to adequately support elements made from these alloy types.

 

ICA 135
ICA 135 Alloy or Iron Chrome Aluminium 135 Alloy is a ferromagnetic alloy which can be used as electrical heating elements up to 1300 °C. The addition of additives and the accuracy of material preparation ensure that its disadvantages compared to the nickel-chrome alloys are reduced. ICA 135 should only operate in a dry environment in order to avoid corrosion.

 

ICA 145
ICA 145 Alloy or Iron Chrome Aluminium 145 Alloy is a ferromagnetic alloy, which can be used as heating elements up to the very high temperature of 1350 °C. This makes it particularly useful for the heating elements of industrial furnaces.

Nickel Iron Alloys Overview

Nickel Iron Alloys
Nickel Iron Alloys are also known as Glass Sealing Alloys due to their primary application. These are alloys of Nickel and balance Iron, with additions to affect particular properties. In all of these alloys, the key property is the coefficient of expansion that is approximately equal to that of glass – hence the application as a glass sealing material.

 

Nilo 42 / Alloy 42
Alloy 42 or Nilo 42 alloy has a fairly low and constant expansion factor of up to 300 °C, which enables its use in high-temperature thermostats, such as for gas and electric stoves.

 

Nilo 48 / Alloy 48
Alloy 48 or Nilo 48 Alloy has a coefficient of expansion approximately equal to that of soft glasses of the soda-lime and lead-oxide types. For this reason, their application covers a very wide field in the manufacture of electric lamps and electronic equipment.

 

Nilo 52 / Alloy 52
Alloy 52 or Nilo 52 Alloy is particularly suitable for soft glasses and has its most important application in reed switches and in electronic transistor components. Due to its low dispersion, it can be used for high-frequency relays.

 

Nilo K / Kovar
Also known as Nilo K or Kovar, this 29% nickel-iron alloy, modified by the addition of 17% cobalt, has a very low coefficient of expansion, matching very closely the medium hard boro-silicate glasses. It is widely used in the manufacture of high power radio transmission, X-ray tubes and many types of electronic equipment. In addition, it is suitable for use with ceramic materials for creating seals.

Resistance Nickel Alloys Chemical Properties
RESISTANCE NICKEL ALLOYS CHEMICAL COMPOSTIONS
COMMON NAMETRADE MARKED METALSEURO. NAMEMATERIAL NUMBER EN / DINAmerican Designation (ASTM)AMSTYPICAL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION %
AISI nearest fitUNS nearest fitAlCCoCrCuFeMnMoNiPSiSTiOthers
NICKEL-COPPER ALLOY (CUPRO NICKEL)
HecnumCu Ni 44-2.0842-------55.0-1.0-44.0-----
Cu Ni 30 Mn-2.0838-------67.0-3.0-30.0-----
Cu Ni 23 Mn-2.0881-------75.0-2.0-23.0-----
Alloy 90Cu Ni 10-2.0811-------90.0---10.0-----
Alloy 60Cu Ni 6-2.0807-------94.0---6.0-----
Alloy 30Cu Ni 2-2.0802-------98.0---2.0-----
NICKEL-CHROMIUM & NICKEL-CHROMIUM-IRON ALLOYS
Ni Cr 37/18 / Ni Cr 3718---------18.0-45.0--37.0-----
Ni Cr 60/16/ Ni Cr 6015--2.4867-N06004----15.0-25.0--60.0-----
Ni Cr 80/20/ Ni Cr 8020--2.4869-N06003----20.0----80.0-----
GLASS SEALING ALLOY (CONTROLLED EXPANSION)
Alloy 29/18Nilo® K-1.3981F 15K94610-0.1Strip: 0.02 Wire: 0.0417.00.20.2Strip: Balance Wire: 53.00.50.229.0-0.2-0.1Strip: Zr 0.10 max Wire: Al + Mg + Zr + Ti = 0.20
Alloy 90Nimonic 90NA192.4632-N07090-Available by Request.
NiFe36Nilo® 36 ---K93603-Available by Request.
NiFe42Nilo® 42-1.3917F 30K94100-0.10.05-0.25-Balance0.8-(41)b0.0250.30.025Mg = 0.1; Zr = 0.1
NiFe48Nilo® 48-1.3922-K94800------Balance--48.0-----
NiFe52Nilo® 52-2.4478-N14052------Balance--52.0-----
NICKEL-MANGANESE
-Nickel 212-2.4110-N02212--0.1--0.20.251.50-2.50-97.0-0.20.006-Mg 0.20 max
IRON CHROME ALUMINIUM
ICA 135--1.4767-K 92400-5.0--20.0-75.0--------
ICA 145 --1.4765-K 92500-6.0--23.0-71.0--------
Resistance Nickel Alloys Mechanical Properties
NICKEL ALLOY WIRE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
COMMON NAMETRADE MARKED METALSEURO. NAMEMATERIAL NUMBER EN / DINAmerican Designation (ASTM)AMSTensile Strength (MPa)Resistivity Ohms/cmDensity G/cm³Temp Coefficient of Resistance 20-100°CMelting Point °CSpecific Heat J/Kg.K @20°CLinear Expansion Coefficient 10-6/°CTemperature °CThermal Conductivity Wm-1 °C-1
AISI nearest fitUNS nearest fit
NICKEL-COPPER ALLOY (CUPRO NICKEL)
HecnumCu Ni 44-2.0842--0498.9---1420 – 100021.1
Cu Ni 30 Mn-2.0838--0378.9---15.720 – 100029
Cu Ni 23 Mn-2.0881--0308.9---15.720 – 100035
Alloy 90Cu Ni 10-2.0811--0158.9---1620 – 100060
Alloy 60Cu Ni 6-2.0807--0108.9---16.220 – 100090
Alloy 30Cu Ni 2-2.0802--0058.9---14.420 – 1000160
NICKEL-CHROMIUM & NICKEL-CHROMIUM-IRON ALLOYS
Ni Cr 37/18 / Ni Cr 3718---0-0n/a1057.95---1820 – 100013.0
Ni Cr 60/16/ Ni Cr 6015--2.48670N060040n/a1128.16---17.520 – 100013.3
Ni Cr 80/20/ Ni Cr 8020--2.48690N060030n/a1088.35---17.520 – 100015.0
GLASS SEALING ALLOY (CONTROLLED EXPANSION)
Alloy 29/18Nilo® K-1.3981F 15K94610-Annealed 450 – 550 Hard 700 – 900498.360.00381450440--16.0
Alloy 90Nimonic 90NA192.4632-N07090-Mechanical Properties available on request.
NiFe36Nilo® 36 ---K93603-Mechanical Properties available on request.8.11Mechanical Properties available on request.
NiFe42Nilo® 42-1.3917F 30K94100-Annealed 450 – 550 Hard 700 – 900638.120.00251425500--15.0
NiFe48Nilo® 48-1.3922-K94800--418.170.00341425490--16.0
NiFe52Nilo® 52-2.4478-N14052--438.250.00361425480--17.0
NICKEL-MANGANESE
-Nickel 212-2.41102.4110N02212-Mechanical Properties available on request.
IRON CHROME ALUMINIUM
Resistance Nickel Alloys Features and Applications
MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND APPLICATIONS OF RESISTANCE NICKEL ALLOYS
COMMON NAMETRADE MARKED METALSEURO. NAMEMATERIAL NUMBER EN / DINAmerican Designation (ASTM)AMSKey FeaturesKey MarketsApplications
AISI nearest fitUNS nearest fit
NICKEL-COPPER ALLOY (CUPRO NICKEL)
HecnumCu Ni 44-2.0842---Medium resistivity combined with low temperature coefficient of resistance makes it ideal for resistors. It is suitable for temperatures up to 400°C.Electronicsthermocouples, resistors, heating wires and cables.
Cu Ni 30 Mn-2.0838---High resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. Maximum working temperature is 500°C.Electronicsresistors, heating cables and detectors for fuses.
Cu Ni 23 Mn-2.0881---High resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. Maximum working temperature is 500°C.Electronicsresistors, heating cords and mats.
Alloy 90Cu Ni 10-2.0811---High resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. Maximum working temperature is 400°C.Electronicslow value resistors, heating wires and mats.
Alloy 60Cu Ni 6-2.0807---Characterised by low resistivity. High resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Maximum operating temperature is 300°C.Electronicstube electrical welding fittings, ribbons used for heating of bimetals.
Alloy 30Cu Ni 2-2.0802---Characterised by low resistivity. High resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Maximum operating temperature is 300°C.Electronicstube electrical welding fittings, ribbons used for heating of bimetals.
NICKEL-CHROMIUM & NICKEL-CHROMIUM-IRON ALLOYS
Ni Cr 37/18 / Ni Cr 3718-----Balance mainly Iron. Suitable for continuous operation up to 1050°C, in furnaces with atmospheres which may otherwise cause dry corrosion for higher nickel content materials.Power Generation, Chemical Processing, Heat Treatmentelectric heaters, electric furnaces (with atmospheres).
Ni Cr 60/16/ Ni Cr 6015--2.4867N06004-A Ni/Cr alloy with balance mainly Iron, with long life additions. It is suitable for use up to 1100°C, but the higher coefficient of resistance notes it suitable only for less exacting applications than 80/20.Power Generation, Chemical Processing, Heat Treatmentelectric heaters, heavy duty resistors, electric furnaces
Ni Cr 80/20/ Ni Cr 8020--2.4869N06003-Contains long life additions making it eminently suitable for applications subject to frequent switching and wide temperature fluctuations. Can be used at operating temperatures up to 1150 °C.Power Generation, Chemical Processing, Heat Treatmentcontrol resistors, high temperature furnaces, soldering irons
GLASS SEALING ALLOY (CONTROLLED EXPANSION)
Alloy 29/18Nilo® K-1.3981F 15K94610-Controlled expansion alloy whose coefficient of expansion decreases with rising temperature and matches the expansion rate of glassAerospace, Automotive, Electronicsmicrowave tubes, transistors, diodes, hermetic seals
Alloy 90Nimonic 90NA192.4632-N07090-A precipitation hardenable alloy, providing high strength at elevated temperatures.Aerospaceaerospace springs and components
NiFe36Nilo® 36 ---K93603-Availble by Request
NiFe42Nilo® 42-1.3917F 30K94100-An alloy that exhibits very low thermal expansion at elevated temperatures.Electronicselectronics and semiconductors, glass to metal seals.
NiFe48Nilo® 48-1.3922-K94800-A controlled expansion alloy with 48% nickel. The coefficient of expansion approximately equals that of soft glasses of soda lime and lead oxide types.Electronicsglass to metal seals
NiFe52Nilo® 52-2.4478-N14052-A controlled expansion alloy with 52% nickel. Particularly suitable for seals with soft glasses.Electronicsglass to metal seals.
NICKEL-MANGANESE ALLOY
-Nickel 212-2.4110-N02212-A nickel alloy with the addition of 2% Manganese, making is stronger than Nickel alloy 200. At temperatures above 315° C (600° F) tensile strength and elongation is significantly reduced.Electronics, Automotiveelectrical wires, lamp components and electrode support wire , electronic valves cold tail connectors for heating cables and mats
IRON CHROME ALUMINIUM ALLOY

All data is provided for informational purposes only. In no event will the Knight Group and its subsidiaries, be liable for in respect of any action taken by any third party arising from using the information taken from our online or printed sources. Chemical and Mechanical Properties should not be construed as maximum or minimum values for specifications, nor should information be used to assess suitability for a particular use or application. The information and data provided is deemed to be accurate to the best of our knowledge and may be revised anytime without notice and assume no duty to update