History
Kanthal’s story isn’t just of innovation—it’s a tale of relentless curiosity and ambition. In 1931, Hans von Kantzow founded the company with a breakthrough alloy that transformed the global electrical heating industry. The company name, Kanthal, is a homage to both Kantzow’s legacy and the Swedish town of Hallstahammar, where it all started.
What began with a single invention—the FeCrAl alloy—has evolved into a legacy spanning over 90 years, revolutionizing everything from diesel engines to semiconductors. As the world faces an urgent need for cleaner, more efficient industrial processes, Kanthal continues to lead with the same indomitable spirit of innovation that shaped its origins. From our earliest days of material breakthroughs to modern advancements in sustainable heating solutions, Kanthal’s journey has been about one thing: pushing boundaries.
Our moments of truth capture key milestones that didn’t just change Kanthal, but also industries worldwide. These moments reflect the heart of what we do—turning possibility into reality, one discovery at a time.
Inventing, disrupting, and redefining since 1931
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1931
In 1931, Hans von Kantzow developed Kanthal® A, an iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloy, that could withstand temperatures up to 1,350°C (2,460°F). This discovery became the backbone of Kanthal’s legacy. The material’s superior heat and corrosion resistance found applications in diesel engine glow plugs, brake resistors, and home heating appliances, rapidly expanding its global presence.
1932
In 1932, Alfred Rapp, a skilled salesman from Wolf Netter in Germany, was recruited by Kanthal Sweden to champion the company’s products in the international market. Rapp’s dedication and pioneering approach helped make Kanthal a trusted global supplier of resistance materials. In the early years, Rapp faced significant obstacles. His sales trips often spanned several months, primarily focusing on introducing Kanthal to new markets. Through perseverance and strategic vision, he laid the groundwork for many of Kanthal’s long-standing relationships.
1940s
Kanthal introduced its Nikrothal® range of nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloys after registering the trademark in 1946, recognizing that certain high-temperature applications demanded properties beyond those offered by its original FeCrAl materials. Nikrothal® alloys provide enhanced hot and creep strength, improved ductility after use, and higher wet corrosion resistance, making them ideal for applications where stability and performance at elevated temperatures are crucial.
1950s
As homes started to become increasingly electrified in the mid-20th century, Kanthal’s FeCrAl alloys found their way into a wide range of household appliances. These innovations significantly reduced the time women spent on domestic tasks, opening the door for more women to pursue work outside the home. With Kanthal materials ensuring reliable, long-lasting performance, household appliances became a game-changer for many families, helping women balance their homes and careers.
1954
In 1954, Kanthal® Super was introduced, a molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2)-based heating element that revolutionized high-temperature applications. Over time, it was developed to withstand temperatures up to 1,850°C (3,362°F), offering superior stability and oxidation resistance. This advancement made it an essential solution in industries such as glass, ceramics, and metallurgy, where extreme heat and durability are critical.
1960s
In the 1960s, Kanthal expanded rapidly, opening subsidiaries across the globe. This international expansion into countries such as the USA, Brazil, and Italy positioned Kanthal as a world leader in electric heating solutions, offering tailored solutions to meet growing global demand.
1970s
Kanthal continued to innovate in the 1970s with the development of Fibrothal®, a groundbreaking heating module that transformed furnace technology. Used in industries like glass, steel, and semiconductors, Fibrothal® dramatically improved the energy efficiency and durability of industrial heating systems. Its modular design reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs, making it an essential solution for large-scale operations. By introducing Fibrothal®, Kanthal set new benchmarks for performance in high-temperature environments, offering industries a future-proof solution for their heating needs.
1980s
Since Kanthal’s founding, innovation has been at the heart of its mission, and it was this commitment that led to the development of Kanthal® AF around 1980. Responding to customer requests for a FeCrAl alloy with superior form stability during repeated heating cycles, Kanthal created Kanthal® AF, a ferritic iron-chromium-aluminum alloy. Known for its exceptional oxidation resistance and structural integrity, Kanthal® AF quickly became a vital solution for high-temperature applications, especially in the furnace industry, where reliable, long-lasting heating elements are crucial.
1989
In the 1980s, the booming semiconductor industry required furnaces with improved mechanical stability at higher temperatures. Traditional heating wires couldn’t meet these demands, often deforming under heat. The company responded with Kanthal® APM, a powder-metallurgical FeCrAl alloy that offered superior form stability, oxidation resistance, and strength in high-temperature environments. Launched in 1989, Kanthal® APM enabled industries to build horizontal furnaces with larger diameters, improving both productivity and precision. This innovation dramatically extended the lifespan of heating elements, reduced maintenance costs, and minimized production interruptions.
1994
In 1994, Kanthal expanded its product portfolio by acquiring the Globar® trademark of silicon carbide (SiC) heating elements, from Carborundum. Originally introduced in the 1930s, the Globar® brand has a long-standing reputation for high-performance solutions in extreme industrial environments. This acquisition significantly enhanced Kanthal’s high-temperature heating capabilities, particularly for applications in glass, ceramics, and metal industries. Globar® elements are engineered for temperatures up to 1,625°C (2,927°F), offering outstanding durability, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance for reliable, long-lasting performance.
1996
In 1996, Kanthal acquired the Driver-Harris range from Harrison Alloys Inc., gaining essential knowledge in thermocouple alloy production and allowing Kanthal to expand its portfolio of resistance alloys. By the early 2000s, Kanthal had moved thermocouple alloy melting and hot rolling to Hallstahammar, Sweden, and established wire drawing and testing labs in Hallstahammar and Bethel, Connecticut. The expertise gained enabled Kanthal to produce alloys suitable for high-demand applications, including nuclear reactors, submarines, and jet engines.
1997
In 1997, Kanthal acquired H.P. Reid, a Palm Coast, Florida-based company renowned for its ultra-fine wire production capabilities. This acquisition enabled the production of wires as fine as 10 microns and allowed for specialized wire coatings, opening new opportunities in the medical, electronics, and automotive sectors.
2004
In 2004, Kanthal® APMT was introduced, building on the success of Kanthal® APM with even greater mechanical strength and oxidation resistance in extreme environments. This alloy was specifically designed for furnace tubes, providing longer lifespans and better performance in high-temperature and corrosive atmospheres. Industries like steelmaking and heat treatment, where materials face extreme stress, found Kanthal® APMT indispensable for its exceptional form stability and corrosion resistance.
2016
The Kanthal® Flow Heater, introduced to the market in June 2016, was born from a growing demand for electric air and gas heaters capable of reaching temperatures above 850°C (1562°F). The development process began in 2013 to address inefficiencies and environmental concerns of gas-fired heaters. Kanthal® Flow Heater combines convection and radiation to efficiently transfer heat to air or gas, allowing for precise temperature control up to 1,100°C (2,012°F). The Kanthal® Flow Heater delivers high temperatures with exceptional accuracy and addresses critical environmental concerns by eliminating pollutants such as NOx and SOx, offering a quiet and emission-free alternative to gas-fired heaters. This technology became an indispensable tool in industries requiring high-temperature air or gas flows, such as furnace processes and the heating of process gases.
2020s
As industries grapple with decarbonization challenges, Kanthal’s innovative electric solutions for process gas heating, are a game-changing technology designed for high-energy sectors like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. These systems enable cleaner, more efficient heating by replacing fossil-fuel combustion with electric heating, offering enhanced control, energy efficiency, and significantly reduced CO2 emissions. Kanthal’s process gas heaters provide precise temperature control and fast response times, enhancing safety and operational flexibility. This technology is reshaping industries traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, offering a scalable path to reduce carbon footprints and meet sustainability goals.