Resistance heating wire and conductive wire
Kanthal provides resistance heating and conductive wire in Kanthal® (FeCrAl), Nikrothal® (NiCr), Nifethal® (NiFe), and Cuprothal® (CuNi), universally known as Constantan, alloys. These materials are optimized for high-temperature and resistance applications, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments.
The three product forms are round wire, flat wire (ribbon), and shaped wire, allowing for greater versatility depending on application requirements. The Kanthal wire is supplied in bright annealed or oxidized surface finishes, depending on size, and can be delivered on spools, in coils, in pail packs, or as straightened lengths, with or without coatings. Round resistance wire sizes up to 0.40 mm (0.0157 inches) are available with insulation and coating.
Our Kanthal® and Nikrothal® alloys are widely used for industrial furnaces and heating elements, while Cuprothal® and Nifethal® alloys are preferred for lower-temperature and conductive applications. Additionally, Kanthal alloys are produced in precision wire sizes, making them suitable for several industrial and specialized applications.
The lifespan of a resistance heating wire depends on various factors, including operating temperature, temperature cycling, contamination, alloy composition, wire diameter, surface condition, atmosphere, mechanical stress, and regulation method. Each application presents unique conditions, making material selection and wire specifications essential for long-term performance and reliability.
With a broad selection of materials, product forms, and finishes, Kanthal provides high-quality wire solutions for industrial and precision applications.
Information
Product forms available are:
- Round wire
- Flat wire (ribbon)
- Shaped wire
The wire is supplied on spools, in coils, in pail pack or as straightened lengths and available with or without coating.
| Type of alloy | Description |
|---|---|
| Kanthal® and Alkrothal® FeCrAl alloys* | High-resistivity iron-chromium-aluminium alloys for use up to 1,400ºC (2,550ºF). |
| Nikrothal® NiCr alloys | High-resistivity nickel-chromium alloys for use up to 1,250ºC (2,280ºF). |
| Nifethal® NiFe alloys | Low-resistivity nickel-iron alloys with high temperature coefficient of resistance for use up to 600ºC (1,110ºF). |
| Cuprothal® CuNi alloys | Medium- and low-resistivity copper-nickel alloys for use up to 600ºC (1,110ºF). |
Characteristics
Product forms and size range
Round wire
0.010-12 mm (0.00039-0.472 inch)
Other sizes are available on request.
Ribbon (flat wire)
Thickness: 0.023-0.8 mm (0.0009-0.031 inch)
Width: 0.038-4 mm (0.0015-0.157 inch)
Width/thickness ratio max 40, depending on alloy and tolerance
Other sizes are available on request.
Resistance tolerance
Standard resistance tolerance for wire is listed in the following table. Wire can be supplied to closer tolerance on request.
The data is valid at 20°C (68°F).
| Wire size Ø mm (inch) | Resistance tolerance % |
|---|---|
| <0.127 (0.005) | +/- 8 |
| >0.127 (0.005) | +/- 5 |
Delivery forms
Kanthal® resistance wire is delivered on spools, in coils, in pail pack or as straightened lengths.
Insulation and coating
The Kanthal® program includes a wide range of insulation coatings, bondable coatings and metallic coatings such as electroplating and anodizing. All coatings are available in various colors.
Marking
Each spool/package of wire is supplied with a label or tag showing alloy type, nominal size, tara and net weight, resistance W/m (W/ft), charge number and a reference number.
Stock program
We have a number of frequently used products in stock. Please contact us for details.
List of Alloys
| Kanthal® grade | Max. continuous operating temp. ºC (ºF) |
Resistivity at 20ºC (68ºF) Ω mm2/m (Ω/cmf) |
|---|---|---|
| FeCrAl alloys | ||
| Kanthal® APM (wire) | 1,425 (2,600) | 1.45 (872) |
| Kanthal® A-1 (wire) | 1,400 (2,550) | 1.45 (872) |
| Kanthal® A (wire) | 1,350 (2,460) | 1.39 (836) |
| Kanthal® A (ribbon) | 1,350 (2,460) | 1.39 (836) |
| Kanthal® AF (wire) | 1,300 (2,370) | 1.39 (836) |
| Kanthal® AE (wire) | 1,300 (2,370) | 1.39 (836) |
| Kanthal® D (wire) | 1,300 (2,370) | 1.35 (812) |
| Kanthal® D (ribbon) | 1,300 (2,370) | 1.35 (812) |
| Kanthal® DT (ribbon) | 1,300 (2,370) | 1.37 (823) |
| Kanthal® LT | 1,100 (2,010) | 1.23 (740) |
| Alkrothal® 14 (wire) | 1,100 (2,010) | 1.25 (744) |
| NiCr alloys | ||
| Nikrothal® TE (wire) | 1,200 (2,190) | 1.19 (716) |
| Nikrothal® 80 (wire) | 1,200 (2,190) | 1.09 (656) |
| Nikrothal® 80 (ribbon) | 1,200 (2,190) | 1.09 (656) |
| Nikrothal® 70 (wire) | 1,250 (2,280) | 1.18 (709) |
| Nikrothal® 60 (wire) | 1,150 (2,100) | 1.11 (668) |
| Nikrothal® 60 (ribbon) | 1,150 (2,100) | 1.11 (668) |
| Nikrothal® 40 (wire) | 1,100 (2,010) | 1.04 (626) |
| Nikrothal® 40 (ribbon) | 1,100 (2,010) | 1.04 (626) |
| Nikrothal® 30 (wire) | 1,050 (1,920) | 1.03 (620) |
| Nikrothal® 20 (wire) | 1,050 (1,920) | 0.95 (572) |
| Nikrothal® LX (wire) | 300 (570) | 1.33 (800) |
| NiFe alloys | ||
| Nifethal® 70 (wire) | 600 (1,110) | 0.20 (120) |
| Nifethal® 52 (wire) | 600 (1,110) | 0.37 (220) |
| Nifethal® 42 (wire) | 600 (1,110) | 0.63 (379) |
| CuNi alloys | ||
| Cuprothal® 49 (wire) | 600 (1,110) | 0.49 (295) |
| Cuprothal® 30 (wire) | 400 (750) | 0.30 (180) |
| Cuprothal® 15 (wire) | 400 (750) | 0.15 (90) |
| Cuprothal® 10 (wire) | 300 (570) | 0.10 (60) |
| Cuprothal® 5 (wire) | 300 (570) | 0.05 (30) |
| Manganina 43 (wire) | - | 0.43 (259) |