Datasheet

6 Kanthal Appliance Alloys Handbook
Higher maximum temperature in air
KANTHAL A-1 has a maximum tempera-
ture of 1400 °C 2550 °F;
NIKROTHAL 80 has a maximum tempera-
ture of 1200 °C 2190 °F.
Longer life
KANTHAL elements have a life 2-4 times
the life of NIKROTHAL when operated in
air at the same temperature.
Higher surface load
Higher maximum temperature and longer
life allow a higher surface load to be applied
on KANTHAL elements.
Better oxidation properties
The aluminium oxide (Al
2
O
3
) formed on
KANTHAL alloys adheres better and is
therefore less contaminating. It is also a
better diffusion barrier, better electrical
insulator and more resistant to carburizing
atmospheres than the chromium
oxide (Cr
2
O
3
) formed on NIKROTHAL
alloys.
KANTHAL Advantages
Lower density
The density of the KANTHAL alloys is
lower than that of the NIKROTHAL
alloys. This means that a greater number of
equivalent elements can be made from the
same weight material.
Higher resistivity
The higher resistivity of KANTHAL alloys
makes it possible to choose a material with
larger cross-section, which improves the life
of the element. This is particularly important
for thin wire. When the same cross-section
can be used, considerable weight savings
are obtained. Further, the resistivity of
KANTHAL alloys is less affected by cold-
working and heat treatment than is the case
for NIKROTHAL 80.
Higher yield strength
The higher yield strength of KANTHAL
alloys means less change in cross-section
when coiling wires.