Large And Small Quantities Of Electric Resistance Wire.
Custom Electric maintains a large inventory of electric resistance materials, including conventional alloys, high temperature alloys, and specialty materials. In most instances, large and small orders for wire, ribbon, rod, and strip can be filled within 48 hours.

Changing Alloy Technology.
For years, 80% nickel, 20% chrome alloys were used to fabricate electric heating elements. This material provides excellent mechanical properties in the hot state, but is limited to temperatures of 2190º F (1200º C).

Today, iron/chrome/aluminum alloys are replacing nickel/chrome in many applications. The most significant benefit of the iron/chrome/aluminum alloy is higher operating temperatures, up to 2150° F (1150° C). This translates to higher surface loading and increased productivity.

Other benefits of iron/chrome/aluminum materials are from two to four times longer service life and no spalling oxides to contaminate furnace loads.

Radiant And Protective Tubes.
In addition to Kanthal APM and APMT extruded tubes, Custom Electric can provide cast tubes.

Note: New products always are being added to inventory. If you do not see what you need, contact Custom Electric.

KANTHAL and NIKROTHAL alloys are generally available in wire or strip form.

APM A-1 AF D NIKROTHAL 80 NIKROTHAL 70 NIKROTHAL 60 NIKROTHAL 40 Max continuous operating temp.,                 °C 1425 1400 1300 1300 1200 1250 1150 1100 °F 2600 2550 2370 2370 2190 2280 2100 2010 Nominal composition,                 %Cr 22 22 22 22 20 30 15 20 %Al 5.8 5.8 5.3 4.8 - - - - %Fe Rest Rest Rest Rest         %Ni - - - - 80 70 60 35 Resistivity                 at 20°C, Ωmm2mm1 1.45 1.45 1.39 1.35 1.09 1.18 1.11 1.04 at 65°F, Ω/cmf 872 872 836 812 655 704 668 626 Density,                 g/cm3 7.10 7.10 7.15 7.25 8.3 8.1 8.2 7.9 lb/in3 0.256 0.256 0.259 0.262 0.300 0.296 0.296 0.285 Coefficient of thermal expansion, K-1                 20-750°C, 68-1380°F 14.10-6 14.10-6 14.10-6 14.10-6 17.10-7 16.10-6 16.10-6 18.10-6 20-1000°C, 68-1838°F 15.10-6 15.10-6 15.10-6 15.10-6 18.10-6 17.10-6 17.10-6 19.10-6 Thermal conductivity at 20°C                 W m-1 K-1 13 13 13 13 15 13 13 13 68°F, But in. ft.-2h-1°F-1 90 90 90 90 104 90 90 90 Specific heat capacity                 KJ kg-1K-1, 20°C 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.446 0.46 0.46 0.50 Btu lb-1 °F-1, 68°F 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.119 Melting point,                 °C 1500 1500 1500 1500 1400 1380 1390 1390 °F 2730 2730 2730 2730 2550 2515 2535 2535 Mechanical properties (approx.)*                 Tensile strength, N mm-2 680 680 680 380 750 875 750 750 psi 99000 99000 99000 99000 109000 127000 109000 109000 Yield point, N mm-2 445 445 445 445 450 450 450 450 psi 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 Hardness, Hv 230 230 230 230 180 185 180 180 Elongation at rupture, % 19 19 19 19 30 30 30 30 Tensile strength at 900°C, N mm-2 40 34 37 34 100 120 100 120 1650°F, psi 5800 5000 5400 5000 14500 17400 14500 17400 Creep strength at 800°C, N mm-2 14 6 8 6 15 15 15 20 1000°C, N mm-2 1.8 1 1.5 1 4 4 4 4 1470°F, psi 2000 870 1160 870 2160 2160 2160 2160 1830°F, psi 260 145 215 145 580 580 580 580 Magnetic properties** Magnetic Magnetic Magnetic Magnetic Non Non Slightly Non Emissivity, fully oxidized condition 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88

*The values given apply for sizes of 4 mm (0.16 in.) diameter for the KANTHAL alloys and of 1 mm (0.04 in.) for the NIKROTHAL alloys
**Curie point 600° C (1,100° F)

Maximum Permissible Temperatures in Various Atmospheres

* Max 1,425° C (2,600° F) for APM
** The higher values apply for pre-oxidized material
*** Please note risk of "green rot" formation in carburizing atmospheres. Use KANTHAL AF or NIKROTHAL 70
**** 1.250° C (2,280° F) for NIKROTHAL 70