Kanthal alloys vs. Nikrothal alloys

For the furnace user, using Kanthal iron-chromium-aluminium (FeCrAl) alloys instead of nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloys results in less amount of material and also a longer element life, which mean considerable cost savings.

The table below shows an example of a 33% weight saving obtained by using a Kanthal alloy instead of a Nikrothal alloy. This lower element weight results in considerable cost savings, not only regarding element material but also support systems, because fewer suspension hooks are necessary.

Nikrothal alloy Kanthal alloy
Furnace temperature °C (°F) 1000 (1832) 1000 (1832)
Element temperature °C (°F) 1068 (1954) 1106 (2022)
Hot resistance (Rw) 3.61 3.61
Temperature factor (Ct) 1.05 1.06
Cold resistance (R20) 3.44 3.41
Wire diameter mm (inch) 5.5 (0.216) 5.5 (0.216)
Surface load (W/cm2) 3.09 3.98
Wire length m (inch) 3 elements 224.9 (8.82) 174.6 (6.85)
Wire weight kg elements 44.4 29.6

44.4-29.6/44.4 = 33% weight saving (based on the same wire diameter).

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