Kanthal
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Kanthal is the trademark for a family of iron-chromium-aluminium (FeCrAl) alloys, widely used in electric resistances and high-temperature applications.
Contents
Composition
The Kanthal alloys consist of iron (>30%), chromium (20–30%) and aluminium (4–7.5 %). The most common type of Kanthal is the A1 type, which consist of 20.5-23.5% chromium, 5.8% aluminium, 0-0.7% silicon, 0-0.4% manganese, 0-0.08% carbon, with the rest being iron.[1]
Properties
Kanthal is a silvery-grey metallic alloy, very resistant to heat. It has a tensile strength of 670, an yield strength of 460 MPa, with an average density of 7.1 g/cm3. Common Kanthal alloy has a melting point of around 1,500 °C.
When hot, Kanthal forms a protective layer of aluminium oxide, which protects him from further oxidation. Since alumina has relative high thermal conductivity and is an electrical insulator, this increases the performance of the heating wire.
Mineral acids, such as hydrochloric acid will corrode it.
Availability
Kanthal is sold by various electronic cigarette stores, as heating wire.
Projects
- Make a tube furnace
- Heating element
Handling
Safety
Kanthal poses little hazard to health.
Storage
Kanthal should be stored away from corrosive vapors.
Disposal
No special disposal is required, though you can recycle it.
