Technologies for producing special metal alloys in some industries have been successfully superseded by composites. This process does not stop, but there are areas in which more traditional materials still dominate. These include, in particular, the nichrome thread, which, due to the unique range of technical and physical qualities, has found application in a wide variety of industries.
What is nichrome?
This is an alloy formed by two base metals - nickel and chromium. Moreover, the first sometimes makes up to 80% of the alloy structure. Also, other metals are introduced into the composition of nichrome, among which iron, aluminum, silicon, etc. The operational characteristics of the material include high electrical resistance, heat resistance, as well as ductility. Individually, these qualities are not something special for traditional metals, however, a nichrome thread wins precisely due to their combination in one structure. For example, the same ductility just makes it possible to produce filament fibers of the alloy, then using them in furnaces, where the working medium can be in the temperature index of the order of 1,200 ΛC. In addition, depending on the purpose, the alloy can be additionally alloyed, which gives it new properties or improves 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 special characteristics, but in general, the range of values ββis 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 grades is in the range of 1000β1200ΛC. At the same time, the size range of the formats is quite extensive. The most popular nichrome thread, the diameter of which is 0.01-0.08 mm. There are also products that go beyond the scope of this standard size, but these are, rather, exceptions designed for the use of material in highly specialized areas. As for physical resistance, on average the thread withstands 0.65-0.7 GPa, but to maintain this level, the warnings of the technologists in terms of operational safety of the material should be taken into account. For example, a thread cannot be left in a sulphurous atmosphere, since such media adversely affect both the properties of nichrome and its structure.
Nichrome Production
To begin with, it is worth emphasizing that the thread is only one of the formats for the release of nichrome. It is the closest in its qualities to wire products. They produce material using the technique of drawing under pressure. But before the operation begins, the workpiece is not exposed to heat, so the technology is called cold drawn. Etching methods can also be used - they qualitatively improve the physical properties that a nichrome thread receives at the output. Where to get this material? Usually, metallurgical plants are engaged in manufacturing. But here it is important to understand that the procedure for creating nichrome materials is not common. This is largely due to the specifics of the alloy. Nevertheless, there are many enterprises engaged in metal rolling that concentrate in their assortment the most demanded sizes and brands of nichrome threads.
Application features
Due to the high electrical resistance, such fibers are used in heating equipment. This direction of use of the alloy is also determined by the strength and heat resistance of the structure. It is the thread that is used in small circular kiln designs. In addition, this material found its place in the field of medicine, where it is used as a means of suturing. The construction area was also not without a unique alloy. So, to obtain even panel products, for example, from foam or drywall, nichrome thread cutting along a curly line is used. Unlike traditional jigsaws, the thread allows more accurate and accurate cutting with minimal damage to the workpiece. However, the quality of the result also depends on the technique of cutting, as well as on the conditions of the organization of the process.
How to replace a nichrome thread?
In the household, problems of updating heating elements in different electrical appliances are often encountered. The most suitable replacement is the working spiral, which can be found in electric stoves, irons, some models of dummies, etc. But if you want to provide protection from electrochemical effects, you should turn to a stainless steel. As practice shows, a nichrome thread usually has the same resistance index as a stainless material, but loses to it in protective properties in terms of oxidizability. The optimal solution to this replacement may be cutting the braids of an old hose in which stainless steel reinforcing fibers are used.
Conclusion
The use of high-quality nichrome gives a lot of advantages to the user of one or another 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 row already in terms of technical and operational properties. At the same time, a 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, while others as a stable conductor of the heating infrastructure. The endowment of these or other properties largely depends on the introduction of additional modifiers. Actually, in its pure form, nichrome is almost never found today, since against the background of increasing the characteristics of the target equipment, the requirements for consumables are also growing. Therefore, there is a need to improve the quality of nichrome filaments.