Nichrome

Nichrome (NiCr, nickel-chrome, chrome-nickel, etc.) generally refers to any alloy of nickel, chromium, and often iron and/or other elements or substances. Nichrome alloys are typically used in resistance wire. They are also used in some dental restorations (fillings) and in other applications.

Patented in 1905, it is the oldest documented form of resistance heating alloy. A common alloy is 80% nickel and 20% chromium, by mass, but there are many others to accommodate various applications. It is silvery-grey in colour, is corrosion-resistant, and has a high melting point of about 1,400 °C (2,550 °F). Due to its resistance to oxidation and stability at high temperatures, it is widely used in electric heating elements, such as in appliances and tools. Typically, nichrome is wound in coils to a certain electrical resistance, and current is passed through it to produce heat.

Nichrome is used in a very wide variety of devices where electric heating is required.

Almost any conductive wire can be used for heating, but most metals will be rapidly oxidized when heated in air. When heated to red hot temperatures, nichrome wire develops an outer layer of chromium oxide, thermodynamically stable in air, mostly impervious to oxygen, and protects the heating element from further oxidation.

Nichrome is used in the explosives and fireworks industry as a bridgewire in electric ignition systems, such as electric matches and model rocket igniters.

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