Metallic heating elements

Ready-made metallic heating elements made from Kanthal® iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys and Nikrothal® nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloys are precision-engineered for a wide range of industrial and domestic applications, covering element temperatures from 50°C to 1425°C (120°F to 2600°F). Kanthal® and Nikrothal® alloys are available in several grades in wire, ribbon, and strip forms, offering exceptional adaptability for various furnace configurations.

Kanthal® alloys (FeCrAl)

Temperature resistance: Operates at up to 1,425°C (2,600°F).

Longevity: Offers up to four times the lifespan of Nikrothal® alloys, reducing replacement needs.

Material efficiency: Higher resistivity and lower density allow for thinner, lighter elements, reducing material costs and support requirements.

Oxidation resistance: Forms a robust aluminum oxide layer that prevents scaling, contamination, and short circuits.

Advanced design capabilities: Enables higher surface loads and is suitable for demanding configurations like rod-over-bend (ROB) or corrugated strips.

Kanthal® APM: The Nikrothal® alloy may have special advantages if you need a heating element having very good mechanical properties in the hot state. Kanthal® APM has, however, creep strength at elevated temperatures at the same level as Nikrothal.

Nikrothal® alloys (NiCr)

Temperature range: Operates effectively up to 1,250°C (2,280°F).

Mechanical strength: Superior ductility and creep strength at elevated temperatures, making it ideal for suspended coil designs.

Specific applications: Preferred in setups requiring high hot strength and mechanical stability.

Comprehensive support and services

We offer complete assistance to ensure optimal heating solutions, including:

Helping you choose the most suitable element material, element type, support system, and insulation.

Supplying fully assembled heating elements ready for immediate installation.

Upgrading both electrically and gas-heated furnaces with cutting-edge material technology to maximize productivity and cost-efficiency.

We are equipped with extensive expertise in manufacturing heating elements to any specification. With short delivery times and a strong commitment to service, we ensure a seamless experience from design to delivery.

Why choose Kanthal® over Nikrothal®?

For the furnace user, using Kanthal® alloys instead of Nikrothal® alloys results in less amount of material and a longer element life, which means considerable cost savings.

Higher operating temperature: Kanthal® alloys excel in applications requiring temperatures even beyond 1250°C (2280°F).

Reduced maintenance: Longer element lifespan means fewer replacements and lower costs over time.

Cleaner operation: Aluminum oxide prevents contamination, scaling, and damage from furnace atmospheres.

Energy efficiency: Higher surface loads reduce the need for extensive element material while ensuring excellent performance.

Heating elements made from Kanthal® and Nikrothal® alloys combine robust design, superior materials, and proven performance, ensuring reliability and efficiency for diverse applications. Whether for continuous or batch operations, these alloys meet the highest demands of modern industrial and domestic heating solutions.

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Information

Element types

We can manufacture metallic heating elements to any specifications and with short delivery times. Examples of element types are:

Coiled elements (i.e. spiral elements and edge-wounded elements)
ROB - Meander elements
Cartridge elements (i.e. bundle rod elements and cage elements)
Tubothal^® heating element

metallic heating element k prod

Characteristics

Metallic heating element alloys

Kanthal^® and Alkrothal^® FeCrAl alloys are characterized by high resistivity and capability to withstand high surface load. They can be used at maximum element temperature of 1,425°C (2,600°F).

The NiCr-based alloys are characterized by very good mechanical properties in the hot state as well as good oxidation and corrosion properties. They are suitable for element temperatures up to 1,250°C (2,282°F).

Using Kanthal^® FeCrAl alloys instead of NiCr alloys results in both weight-saving and longer element life, leading to considerable cost savings. Compare weight and cost for Kanthal^® FeCrAl alloys with NiCr alloys

Grade	Maximum continuous operating temperature	Resistivity at 20ºC Ω mm²m^-1 / 68ºF Ω/cmf
FeCrAl alloys
Kanthal^® APM	1,425ºC (2,600ºF)	1.45/872
Kanthal^® A-1	1,400ºC (2,550ºF)	1.45/872
Kanthal^® AF	1,300ºC (2,370ºF)	1.39/836
Kanthal^® D	1,300ºC (2,370ºF)	1.35/812
Alkrothal^®	1,100ºC (2,010ºF)	1.25/744
NiCr alloys
Nikrothal^® 80	1,200ºC (2,190ºF)	1.09/255
Nikrothal^® 70	1,250ºC (2,280ºF)	1.18/709
Nikrothal^® 60	1,150ºC (2,100ºF)	1.11/668
Nikrothal^® 40	1,100ºC (2,010ºF)	1.04/626

Go to material datasheets for Kanthal^® and Nikrothal^® alloys in wire, ribbon (flat wire) and strip form

Downloads

Resistance heating alloys and systems for industrial furnaces_B_ENG_LR.pdf (PDF document, 1.2 MB)

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