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. 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. 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, Copper and Iron Resistance Alloys | Knight Precision Wire
General Information. Resistance wire is a type of high resistance electrical wire. The wire resists the flow of electricity, and converts the electrical energy into heat. Application for resistance wire includes resistors, heating elements, electric heaters, electric ovens, toasters, and many more.
A heating element converts electricity into heat through the process of resistive heating. As electric current passes through the element, it encounters resistance resulting in the heating of the element. This process is independent of the direction of current flow. A typical heating element generally consists of either a coil, a ribbon straight or corrugated , or a strip of wire that gives off heat, similar to that of a lamp filament.
Nichrome also known as NiCr , nickel-chromium or chromium-nickel is a family of alloys of nickel , chromium , and often iron [1] and possibly other elements commonly used as resistance wire , heating elements in things like toasters and space heaters, in some dental restorations fillings and in a few other applications. Patented in by Albert Marsh US patent , [2] , nichrome is the oldest documented form of resistance heating alloy. Almost any conductive wire can be used for heating, but most metals conduct electricity with great efficiency, requiring them to be formed into very thin and delicate wires to create enough resistance to generate heat.