Nichrome thread and its application features

Technologies for obtaining special metal alloys in some industries have been successfully replaced by composites. This process does not stop, but there are directions in which more traditional materials still dominate. These include, in particular, nichrome thread, which, thanks to a unique range of technical and physical qualities, has found application in a wide variety of industries.

What is nichrome?

It is an alloy formed by two base metals - nickel and chromium. And the first sometimes makes up to 80% of the structure of the alloy. Other metals, including iron, aluminum, silicon, etc., are also included in the composition of nichrome. High electrical resistance, heat resistance, and plasticity are attributed to the operational characteristics of the material. Separately, these qualities are not something special for traditional metals, but the nichrome thread wins precisely due to their combination in one structure. For example, the same plasticity just makes it possible to manufacture the fiber fibers of the alloy, then applying them in furnaces, where the working medium can be in the temperature range of about 1 200 ˚C. In addition, depending on the purpose, the alloy can be additionally alloyed, which gives it new properties or improves the basic characteristics. So, to increase the working life, nichrome is diluted with rare-earth metal components.

Characteristics of Nichrome Thread

There are several modifications of nichrome fibers, which have their own specific characteristics, but in general the range of values is located in one narrow spectrum. For example, in terms of density, the alloy is in the corridor from 8200 to 8500 kg / m ³ . The operating temperature of most brands corresponds to a range of 1000-1200˚C. At the same time, the size of the formats is quite extensive. The most popular nichrome thread, whose diameter is 0.01-0.08 mm. There are also products that go beyond this size, but these are, rather, exceptions, designed to use the material in highly specialized areas. With regard to physical stability, the average thread can withstand 0.65-0.7 GPa, but to maintain this level, one should also take into account the warnings of technologists in terms of the operational safety of the material. For example, a thread can not be left in a sulphurous atmosphere, since such environments have a disastrous effect on the properties of nichrome and its structure.

Nichrome production

To begin with, it should be emphasized that the thread is only one of the formats for the release of nichrome. It is the closest in its qualities to wire products. Produce material on the technique of pulling under pressure. But before the operation begins, the billet does not undergo heating, so the technology is called cold-drawn. Etching methods can also be used - they qualitatively improve the physical properties that the nichrome yarn receives at the output. Where to get this material? Usually the manufacture is engaged in metallurgical plants. But here it is important to understand that the very procedure of creating nichrome materials does not apply to common ones. This is largely due to the specific application of the alloy. Nevertheless, there are many companies involved in metal rolling, which concentrate in their assortment the most popular sizes and brands of nichrome threads.

Application Features

Due to their high electrical resistance, such fibers are used in heating equipment. This direction of the use of the alloy is also conditioned by the strength and heat resistance of the structure. It is the thread used in small oven designs of round shape. In addition, this material has found its place in the field of medicine, where it is used as a means of sewing. The construction area is also not without a unique alloy. So, for the production of flat panel products, for example, from foam or gypsum board, the nichrome thread is cut using a curly line. Unlike traditional jigsaws, the yarn allows more accurate and accurate cutting with minimal damage to the billet. However, the quality of the result depends on the technique of performing the figured cutting, as well as on the conditions for the organization of the process.

How to replace nichrome thread?

In households, there are often problems with updating heating elements in different electrical appliances. The most suitable replacement is the working spiral, which can be found in electric stoves, irons, some models of teapots, etc. But if it is required to provide and protection against electrochemical exposure, then it is worth turning to stainless steel. As practice shows, the nichrome thread usually has the same resistance index as the stainless material, but loses it in protective properties in terms of oxidizability. The optimal solution for such a replacement may be the cutting of a braid of an old hose in which reinforcing fibers of stainless steel are used.

Conclusion

The use of high-quality nichrome gives a lot of advantages to the user of this or that device or design. This material can not always compete with analogues in terms of wear resistance, but protection against thermal damage and electrical resistance put it in a separate series already for technical and operational properties. In this case, the nichrome thread should not be considered as a universal solution for the same electrical appliances. Again, some brands most clearly show their advantages as an element of cutting equipment, and others - as a stable conductor of heating infrastructure. The endowment with these or other properties depends to a large extent on the introduction of additional modifiers. Actually, in pure form, nichrome is almost never found today, as the requirements for consumables are also growing against the background of an increase in the characteristics of the target equipment. Therefore, there is a need to improve the quality of the nichrome thread.