KANTHAL®

HANDBOOK
Resistance Heating Alloys and
Systems for
Industrial Furnaces
Copyright Kanthal AB.
Printed in Sweden by PRIMAtryck, 2001
Catalogue 1-A-5B-3 09.2001 5000
This information, which may be subject to change, is offered solely for your
®
KANTHAL, NIKROTHAL, TUBOTHAL, consideration and should not be taken as a warranty or representation for
HOT ROD, CRUSILTIE, FIBROTHAL are which we assume legal responsibility. It is not to be understood as permission
registred trademarks of Kanthal AB, Sweden. or recommendation to practice a patented invention without a licence and the
TM MEANDERTHAL. user should determine whether relevant patents exist.
 KANTHAL
HANDBOOK
Resistance Heating Alloys and
Systems for
Industrial Furnaces

Contents Page
Metallic Heating Elements from Kanthal 2

KANTHAL or NIKROTHAL? 3

KANTHAL APM Heating elements 4

Physical and Mechanical Properties 5

Furnace Wall Loading 6

Element Surface Load 7

Operating Life and Maximum Permissible Temperature 8

Key Data for Kanthal Elements 10

Tubothal Heating Elements 12

KANTHAL APM Extruded Tubes 15

KANTHAL APM standard product range 17

Tables – KANTHAL A-1 and APM 19

– KANTHAL AF 20

– KANTHAL D 21

– NIKROTHAL 80 22

– NIKROTHAL 70 23

– Terminals 24

1
Metallic
heating
elements
from Kanthal
This booklet contains technical data for our
resistance heating alloys KANTHAL and
NIKROTHAL.
We also include some instructions for the
calculation and design of heating elements for
industrial furnaces as well as examples of
support systems and insulation. The APM
tubes are described shortly. For more informa-
tion, ask for the special Tube Handbook.
The latest product- and application informa-
tion is found on www.kanthal.com.
We can assist you:
– in choosing suitable element material, ele-
ment type, support system and insulation,
– by supplying complete heating elements
ready for installation,
– to upgrade electric furnaces to latest
heating technology for maximum output and
economy
– to replace radiant tubes with Kanthal APM
tubes in both gas- and electrically heated
furnaces and to supply complete recuperati-
ve systems (SER).
Our modern workshops have developed consi-
derable experience in manufacturing
heating elements and can manufacture to any
specifications.
Our delivery times are short and our service
objectives are high.
KANTHAL or NIKROTHAL?
There are two main types of electric resistance • Higher maximum element temperature of
alloys. Nickel-chromium (e.g. 80 Ni, 20 Cr) was 1425°C 2600°F compared to 1250°C 2280°F
developed around the turn of the century and • Longer life (2–4 times)
was soon used as heating element material in • Higher surface load
industrial furnaces as well as in electric house- • Higher resistivity
hold appliances. • Lower density
In the thirties Kanthal introduced a new • No spalling oxide, which may contaminate
resistance heating alloy based on iron-chro- the goods and the furnace and also cause
mium-aluminium with a longer life and a higher short circuit or failure of elements and gas
maximum operating temperature than nickel- burners.
chromium.
For the furnace user, using KANTHAL results
The two main types of alloys have their own
in less material at a lower price and also –
specific properties, with advantages and dis-
a longer life. Table 1 shows an example of
advantages, and are supplied in many different
weight saving – and lower cost – obtained by
grades and forms. Kanthal manufactures both
using KANTHAL instead of nickel-chromium
types of alloys under the names NIKROTHAL
alloys. This lower element weight will also
(nickel-chromium) and KANTHAL (iron-chro-
result in considerable cost savings in the
mium-aluminium).
support system, because fewer suspension
In general KANTHAL is superior to
hooks are necessary.
NIKROTHAL in respect of performance and
The NIKROTHAL alloy may have special
life and is therefore nowadays a standard
advantages if you need a heating element
material choice when it comes to metallic
having very good mechanical properties in the
heating elements for industrial furnaces. The
hot state. KANTHAL APM has, however, creep
most important advantages are:
strength at elevated temperatures in the same
level as NiCr 80/20.

Table 1. A 120 kW furnace equipped with R.O.B. elements. 3 elements of 40 kW each, 380 V.
Element Data NiCr 80/20 KANTHAL AF

Furnace temperature, °C °F 1000 1830 1000 1830

Element temperature, °C °F 1068 1955 1106 2025

Hot resistance, Rw 3.61 3.61

Temperature factor, Ct 1.05 1.06

Cold resistance, R20 3.44 3.41

Wire diameter, mm in 5.5 0.217 5.5 0.217

Surface load, W/cm2 W/in2 3.09 19.9 3.98 25.7

Wire length, m, ft 3 elements 224.9 738 174.6 573

Wire weight, kg, lb 3 elements 44.4 98 29.6 65

Weight saving: 44.4—29.6 98—65

= 33% = 33%
44.4 98
= 33% = 33%
3
Kanthal APM heating material
Kanthal APM is a resistance
material which can be used to
improve the performance at high
temperatures, where conventional
metallic elements can cause pro-
blems (e.g. bunching, creeping,
oxide spalling) and to open up
new applications where metallic
elements are not used today.

The great advantages

of Kanthal APM are: Comparison between Kanthal APM (top) and conventional FeCrAl
after 1250 h at max 1225°C, 2240°F element temperature.
Improved hot strength, giving:
• much better form stability of
the heating element
• less need for element support Fig. 1 Elongation at 1300°C, 2370°F element temperature.
• low resistance change (ageing) 15
• longer element life

Excellent oxide, giving: FeCrAl

10
Elongation (%)

• good protection in most atmos-

pheres, especially corrosive
atmospheres
• no scaling and impurities 5
• a longer element life

0 APM
Creep rupture strength
Temperature
Time (h) 1000°C 1832°F
–5
0 100 200 300 500 500 600
MPa psi
Time (h)
100 5.6 812
1000 3.4 478
Fig. 2 Sagging test dia. 9.5 mm, 1300°C, 2370°F and 1400°C,
10000 2.2 320 2550°F, 300 mm between supports.

Temperature
Time (h) 1200°C 2192°F 1400°C 2550°F FeCrAl
30
MPa psi 1300°C 2370°F FeCrAl
Sagging (mm)

100 3.3 478

1000 1.6 232 20
10000 0.7 100

Temperature
10
Time (h) 1400°C 2552°F APM 1400°C 2550°F
MPa psi
100 1.3 189 APM 1300°C 2370°F
0
1000 0.5 72 0 50 100 150
10000 0.2 30 Time (h)

4
Physical and Mechanical Properties
KANTHAL and NIKROTHAL alloys are generally available in wire or strip form. Physical and mecha-
nical properties of the alloys are listed in Table 2.

Table 2. KANTHAL and NIKROTHAL, Wire and Strip.

NIKROTHAL

NIKROTHAL

NIKROTHAL

NIKROTHAL
KANTHAL

KANTHAL

KANTHAL

KANTHAL
APM

A-1

AF

80

70

60

40
D
Max continuous
operating temp., °C 1425 1400 1300 1300 1200 1250 1150 1100
operating temp., °F 2600 2550 2370 2370 2190 2280 2100 2010
Nominal composition, % Cr 22 22 22 22 20 30 15 20
Nominal composition, % Al 5.8 5.8 5.3 4.8 – – – –
Nominal composition, % Fe Rest Rest Rest Rest
Nominal composition, % Ni – – – – 80 70 60 35
Resistivity at 20°C, Ωmm-2m-1 1.45 1.45 1.39 1.35 1.09 1.18 1.11 1.04
Resistivity at 68°F, Ω/cmf 872 872 836 812 655 704 668 626
Density, g/cm3 7.10 7.10 7.15 7.25 8.3 8.1 8.2 7.9
Ib/in3 0.256 0.256 0.259 0.262 0.300 0.296 0.296 0.285
Coefficient of thermal
expansion, K-1
20-750°C, 68–1380°F 14.10-6 14.10-6 14.10-6 14.10-6 17.10-6 16.10-6 16.10-6 18.10-6
20-1000°C, 68–1838°F 15.10-6 15.10-6 15.10-6 15.10-6 18.10-6 17.10-6 17.10-6 19.10-6
Thermal conductivity at 20°C
W m-1 K-1 13 13 13 13 15 13 13 13
68°F, Btu in ft–2 h–1 °F–1 90 90 90 90 104 90 90 90
Specific heat capacity
KJ kg-1 K-1, 20°C 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.50
Btu Ib–1 °F–1, 68°F 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.110 0.119
Melting point, °C 1500 1500 1500 1500 1400 1380 1390 1390
Melting point, °F 2730 2730 2730 2730 2550 2515 2535 2535
Mechanical properties (approx.)*
Tensile strength, N mm-2 680 680 680 680 750 875 750 750
Tensile strength, psi 99000 99000 99000 99000 109000 127000 109000 109000
Yield point, N mm-2 445 445 445 445 450 450 450 450
Yield point, psi 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000 65000
Hardness, Hv 230 230 230 230 180 185 180 180
Elongation at rupture, % 19 19 19 19 30 30 30 30
Tensile strength at 900°C, Nmm-2 40 34 37 34 100 120 100 120
Tensile strength at 1650°F, psi 5800 5000 5400 5000 14500 17400 14500 17400
Creep strength at 800°C, N mm-2 14 6 8 6 15 15 15 20
Creep strength at 1000°C, N mm-2 1.8 1 1.5 1 4 4 4 4
Creep strength at 1470°F, psi 2000 870 1160 870 2160 2160 2160 2160
Creep strength at 1830°F, psi 260 145 215 145 580 580 580 580
Magnetic properties Magnetic (Curie point 600°C 1100°F)Non Non Slightly Non
Emissivity, fully oxidized condition 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88

*) The values given apply for sizes of 4 mm, 0.16 in diameter for the KANTHAL alloys and of 1 mm, 0.04 in for the NIKROTHAL alloys.

5
Furnace wall loading
Figure 3 shows the maximum recommended base elements and the furnace temperature
wall loading for four different element types. would thus be about 375°C, 700°F. This impo-
Please note that the furnace wall loading ses a furnace operating temperature of 1000°C,
depends on both element type and element 1830°F even when using the high-temperature
surface load. The lower the surface load, the KANTHAL A-1 alloy, since the element tempe-
longer the element life will be. (For description rature will be about 1375°C, 2500°F.
of the element types, see page 7). The example illustrates the significance of
When elements are placed on the base of a choosing a hearth plate of a material having
furnace, special attention must be paid to good thermal conductivity, for example silicon
avoid overheating of the elements. For exam- carbide or heat-resistant steel. Beside measu-
ple, with a hearth plate having a thermal con- ring the temperature in the furnace chamber, it
ductivity of ()=1.0 Wm–1 K–1 6.39 Btu in ft–2 h–1 may also be advisable to measure the tempe-
°F–1 and thickness of 15 mm, 0,63 in, at a rature of the base elements by means of a
power concentration on the bottom surface of separate thermocouple.
15 kW/m2, 1.4 kW/ft2, a temperature drop of
225°C, 435°F is obtained through the plate.
The total temperature difference between the

Fig. 3 Maximum recommended wall loading as a a) Wire and strip elements in grooves
function of furnace temperature for different element b) Wire elements on ceramic tubes
types. c) Vertically hanging,
corrugated wire elements
kW/m2 d) Vertically hanging, kW/ft 2
corrugated strip elements
100 _____ ______ 9.3

90 _____ ______ 8.36

80 _____ ______ 7.4

70 _____ ______ 6.5

60 _____ ______ 5.6

50 _____ ______ 4.6

40 _____ ______ 3.7

30 _____ ______ 2.8

20 _____ ______ 1.9

10 _____ KANTHAL ______ 0.93

A-1/AF/APM
Furnace
temperature 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300°C
1290 1470 1650 1830 2010 2190 2370°F

6
Element surface load
Since KANTHAL alloys can be operated at Element b
higher temperatures than NIKROTHAL alloys, Wire element on ceramic tube
a higher surface loading can be achieved wit- Wire diameter min. 3 mm 0.12 in.
hout jeopardizing the life. Element design is
also of great importance. The more freely radi- Element types c (strip) and
ating the element form, the higher the maxi- d (heavy wire)
mum surface load. Therefore the R.O.B. (Rod
Strip thickness min. 2.5 mm, 0.1 in. Wire diame-
Over Bend) type element (corrugated heavy
ter min. 5 mm, 0.2 in. Pitch min. 50 mm, 2.0 in
wire, mounted on the surface), can be loaded
at maximum loop length and maximum surface
the highest, followed by the corrugated strip
load.
element.
Spiral elements on ceramic tubes can be Maximum recommended loop length:
loaded higher than spiral elements in grooves. <900°C <1650°F 300 mm 11.8 in
The values in Fig. 4 are given for the follo- 1000°C 1820°F 250 mm 9.8 in
wing design conditions: 1100°C 2010°F 200 mm 7.9 in
1200°C 2190°F 150 mm 5.9 in
Element a 1300°C 2370°F 100 mm 3.9 in
Wire and strip element in grooves. Wire diame- For finer wire diameters and smaller strip thick-
ter min. 3 mm, 0.12 in, strip thickness min. 2 nesses lower surface loads and shorter loop
mm, 0.08 in. lengths must be chosen to avoid element defor-
mation and subsequent shorter element life.

Fig. 4 Maximum
recommended surface loads
for KANTHAL and
NIKROTHAL alloys in
industrial funaces.

D = (5–8)d s = (2–3)d D = (10–14)d s = (3–6)d

W/cm2 W/in2
a) Heating elements in grooves
b) Spiral elements on ceramic ________ 65
10 _________
tubes
c) Freely radiating corrugated
9 _________ ________ 58
strip elements
d) Freely radiating corrugated
8 _________ ________ 52
wire elements
7 _________ ________ 45

6 _________ ________ 39

5 _________ ________ 32

4 _________ ________ 26

3 _________ ________ 19

2 _________ ________ 13

1 _________ KANTHAL ________ 6

NIKROTHAL
A-1/AF/APM
Furnace
temperature 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300°C 800 900 1000 1100°C
1470 1650 1830 2010 2190 2370°F 1470 1650 1830 2010°F
Note: The diagram is valid for thyristor control. For on-off control lower surface loads should be chosen. (About 20%).
7
Operating life and maximum
permissible temperature
When heated, resistance heating alloys form an In such cases a KANTHAL alloy is recommen-
oxide layer on their surface, which prevents fur- ded, provided the heating elements are pre-
ther oxidation of the material. To accomplish this oxidized in air at 1050°C 1920°F for 7–10 hours.
function the oxide layer must be dense and resist Reoxidation of the heating elements should be
the diffusion of gases. It must also be thin and carried out at regular intervals.
adhere to the metal under temperature fluctua-
tions.
In these respects the oxide formed on
Avoid corrosion from solid
KANTHAL alloys is superior to that formed on substances, fluids and gases
NIKROTHAL alloys, which contributes to the Impurities in the furnace atmosphere, for instan-
much longer operating life of KANTHAL heating ce oil, dust, volatiles or carbon deposits can
elements. Figure 5 shows the comparative ele- damage the heating elements.
ment life. Sulphur is harmful to all nickel alloys. Chlorine
Below you will find some general advice on how in different forms will attack both KANTHAL and
to obtain as long an element life as possible. NIKROTHAL alloys. Splashes of molten metal or
salt may also damage the heating elements.
Use KANTHAL Alloys
Heating elements made of KANTHAL alloys have
Fig. 5. Comparative life (KANTHAL A-1 at 1200°C.
2–4 times longer life than heating elements made
2190°F = 100%
of nickel-chromium material. The higher the tem-
perature, the greater the difference. a) KANTHAL APM e) NIKROTHAL 80
b) KANTHAL A-1 f) NIKROTHAL 60
c) KANTHAL AF g) NIKROTHAL 40
Avoid temperature fluctuations d) KANTHAL D
The operating life of the heating elements will be
% %
reduced by rapid temperature fluctuations. It is
therefore advisable to choose an electric control
equipment, which gives as even a temperature
as possible, e.g. thyristors.
400 400
Choose thick element material
The material thickness has a direct relationship
to the element life, in that, as the wire diameter is
increased, more alloying element is available per 300 300
surface unit to form a new oxide. Thus, at given
temperature, thicker wires will give a longer life
than thinner wires. Accordingly, for strip elements,
increased thickness gives a longer life. 200 200

Adjust the element temperature

to the furnace atmosphere
Table 3 shows some common furnace atmos- 100 100
pheres and their influence on the maximum ope-
rating temperature of the heating elements.
NIKROTHAL should not be used in furnaces
having a CO-containing protective gas atmos-
phere due to the risk of ”green rot” at 800–950°C 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400°C
1470–1740°F. 1830 2010 2190 2370 2550°F
Element temperature

8
Table 3. Maximum Permissible element Temperatures in various Atmospheres.

KANTHAL KANTHAL KANTHAL NIKROTHAL NIKROTHAL NIKROTHAL

A-1 and APM AF D 80 and 70 60 40
°C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F

Oxidizing:
Air, dry 1400* 2550 1300 2370 1300 2370 1200****2190 1150 2100 1100 2010
Air, moist 1200 2190 1200 2190 1200 2190 1150 2100 1100 2010 1050 1920

Neutral:
N2, Nitrogen** 1200 2190 1200 2190 1150 2100 1250 2280 1200 2190 1150 2100

Ar, Argon 1400* 2550 1300 2370 1300 2370 1250 2280 1200 2190 1150 2100
Exothermic:
10 CO, 15 H2
5 CO2, 70 N2 1150 2100 1150 2100 1100 2010 1100*** 2010 1100 2010 1100 2010
Reducing:
Endothermic:
20 CO, 40 H2
40 N2 1050 1920 1050 1920 1000 1830 1100*** 2010 1100 2010 1100 2010
H2, Hydrogen 1400* 2550 1300 2370 1300 2370 1250 2280 1200 2190 1150 2100

Cracked ammonia:
75 H2, 25 N2 – – – – – – 1250 2280 1200 2190 1150 2100
Vacuum:
10-3 torr 1150 2100 1200 2190 1100 2010 1000 1830 900 1650 900 1650

*) Max 1425°C, 2600°F, for APM.

**) The values apply for pre-oxidized material.
***) Please note risk of ”green rot” formation in carburizing atmospheres. Use KANTHAL AF or NIKROTHAL 70.
****) 1250°C, 2280°F, for NIKROTHAL 70.

9
Key Data for Kanthal Elements
Table 4.

Wire Elements
Element systems Spiral Spiral Porcupine Rod over
Bend

Supports Ceramic Grooves Ceramic Metallic

tubes tubes rods

Material Sillimanite Chamotte or Sillimanite Kanthal APM

Grade 28

Max. furnance temperature, °C 1300 1250 800 1300

°F 2370 2280 1470 2370

Max. wall loading at 1000°C

1830°F furnace temperature, kW/m2 40 35 – 50
kW/ft2 3.7 3.3 – 4.6

Max. surface load at 1000°C 1830°F

furnace temperature W/cm2 3–4 3–4 – 5–6
W/in2 19–26 19–26 – 32–39

Wire diameter (d), mm 2.0–6,5 2.0–5.0 1.0–6.5 5.0

in 0.08–0.26 0.08–0.2 0.04–0.26 0.2

Strip thickness (t), mm – – – –

in – – – –

Strip widht (w), mm – – – –

Outer coil diameter (D), mm (12–14) d (5–6) d – –

Max. loop length at 1000°C 1830°F

furnace temperature, mm – – – 250
in – – – 9.8

Min. pitch at max.

loop length, mm 3d 2d 3d 40
in 1.6

10
 Strip Elements
Corrugated Looped Deep- Deep- Deep- Corrugated
Corrugated Corrugated Corrugated

Metallic Ceramic Ceramic Ceramic Ceramic Grooves

staples tubes cup locks bushes tubes

U-shaped Sillimanite Cordierite Cordierite or Sillimanite Chamotte or

KANTHAL- Mullite Mullite Grade 28
nails

1300 1300 1300 1300 1300 1300

2370 2370 2370 2370 2370 2370

50 60 60 60 60 20–40
4.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 1.9–3.7

3–6 5–6 5–6 5–6 5–6 3–4

19–39 32–39 32–39 32–39 32–39 32–39

2,0–5,0 5,0 – – – –
0.08–0.2 0.2 – – – –

– – 2.0–3.0 2,0–3,0 2,0–3,0 1,5–3,0

– – 0.08–0.12 0.08–0.12 0.08–0.12 0.06–0.12

– – (8–12) t (8–12) t (8–12) t (8–12) t

– – – – – –

100 250 250 250 250 (2–3) w

3.9 9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8

40 40 50 50 50 1.5 w
1.6 1.6 2.0 2.0 2.0

11
Tubothal® heating element
TUBOTHAL electrical elements when used in
radiant tubes have been designed to give a
long life whilst operating at maximum power.
This has been made possible due to the appli-
cation of APM wire in combination with an
improved element design, developed and
tested by Kanthal, with a power rating up to
40 kW per metre (12.2 kW per ft.) length.
Furthermore the element assembly is low
weight, which means that long elements and
tubes can be mounted horizontally without any
extra support.

Long life
The use of APM wire is the reason for the high
performance of TUBOTHAL elements. The life
at 1000°C 1830°F furnance temperature is
more than double that of NiCr wire.
Another major advantage of the Tubothal
system is the possibility to adjust the element
to existing power supply. Typically no transfor- TUBOTHAL is manufactured in lengths up to
mer is needed. 6 meters or 20ft.

Element
130 150
Diameter
70
90 120 140
Ø 170 (6.69’’)
110 130
60 80
120
100
Ø 154 (6.06’’)
70 110
50 90
100
Power Output (kW)

60 80 Ø 124 (4.88’’)
90
40 70 80
50
60 70
Ø 110 (4.33’’)
30 40 60
50
50
30 40 Ø 80 (3.15’’)
20 40
30
20 30
10 20 Ø 68 (2.68’’)
20
10
10 10

1100 1000 900 800°C 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
2010 1830 1650 1470°F
Heating zone length (m)
Furnace temperature

Diagram showing maximum possible loadings

at different furnace temperature

12
Extensive range of sizes
The size and rating of the element can be designed to suite all
situations. Incorporating the six standard sizes of 68, 80, 110,
124, 154 and 170 mm (2.7, 3.2, 4.9, 6.1 and 6.7 in) diameter
in lengths up to 6 m, 20 ft.

The complete package

TUBOTHAL elements are suitable for mounting in all types of
radiant tubes. But for the most effective operation the use in
Kanthal APM tubes is recommended.
The APM tubes have a superior life and can be used up to
1250°C 2280°F. They can stand a very high loading up to 7.5
W/cm2 48 W/in2 at 1000°C 1830°F. The tubes are delivered
completely readymade with flange and suitable TUBOTHAL
elements.

TUBOTHAL and APM tubes – the complete heating package.

13
Kanthal AB, Head office and main production unit at Hallstahammar, Sweden.

14
Kanthal APM Extruded Tubes
Kanthal APM is a powder-metallurgical alloy able to withstand a maximum temperature of 1425°C,
limited to 1250°C in tubes. Kanthal APM tubes are seamless and extruded.
The APM is the outstanding choice for high-temperature, corrosive applications. The formation of
a cohesive aluminum-oxide film on the inner as well as on the outer surface of the radiant tube, will
keep it free from contamination. This in turn means there is no need for cleaning or turning of the
tube. The adherent aluminum film formed on the tube is also an extremely efficient barrier against
high-carbon activity. It makes the tube highly resistant to carburisation also in those cases where
free carbon is allowed to accumulate on its surface. In addition, it makes Kanthal APM highly
resistant to sulphurus atmospheres.
Kanthal APM tubes are suitable in both gas- and electrically heated furnaces.

Higher Temperature and Longer Life

* Made of well-proven powder FeCrAl * High loading potential. At a furnace tempe-
Kanthal alloy. rature of 1000°C (1830°F) the loading can
* Excellent form stability at high temperature. be more than double that of a NiCr tube.
* Protective surface oxide provides high tole- * APM tubes are extruded so there are no
rance to corrosive environments such as welded seams thus eliminating a source of
sulphurus atmospheres. potential failure.
* No carburisation. The aluminium oxide pro- * APM tubes weight less than equivalent NiCr
tects the alloy from carburisation in high tubes of the same dimension.
carbon-potential environments. * Ready to install. Supplied flanged, with or
* The oxide is non-spalling. No scaling and without inner tube and gas burner or suita-
no impurities inside the tube to contaminate ble electric heating element.
the heating element or gas burner, and no * Can operate at a maximum tube tempera-
scaling on the outside to contaminate the ture of 1250°C (2280°F).
goods in the furnace.

Comparison between NiCr and Kanthal APM tubes after 1000 hours at
1150°C 2100°F.
The NiCr tubes are severely contaminated with oxide flakes while the
Kanthal APM tubes are completely clean.

15
Gas fired systems
The product range includes straight or U-for-
med tubes or complete systems (SER) with
inner and outer tubes and gas burner desig-
ned into a single ended recuperative unit.
The system will be delivered in sizes from
89 to154 mm, 3.5 - 6 in outer tube diameter,
to suit most furnaces on the market.

Electrically heated furnaces

Kanthal APM tubes is the ideal choice also for
electrically heated furnaces. Our manufactu-
ring program comprises a complete range of
electric elements and tubes for most applica-
tions. The elements we recommend are Silicon
Carbide, Kanthal Super, Tubothal and Kanthal Kanthal APM tubes in a gas fired sealed quench
AF. They are all delivered as complete ready to furnace.
install heaters with elements, support- and
insulation material and tubes.

Gas fired
U-type, straight through or SER
systems with inner- and outer tubes
and gas burner

Electrically heated
Kanthal Silicon Carbide elements

Kanthal Super elements

Kanthal AF

Tubothal

16
Kanthal APM-tubes standard product range

Nominal OD Wall Weight OD Wall Weight Remarks

Size thickness thickness
mm mm kg/m in in ib/ft

3/4” Sch 40S 26.67 2.87 1.52 1.05 0.11 1.02

33.7 6.0 3.71 1.33 0.24 2.49
1” Sch 40S 33.4 3.38 2.26 1.31 0.13 1.52
40 3.0 2.48 1.57 0.12 1.67 **
50.8 6.35 6.35 2.00 0.25 4.27 **
2” Sch 40S 60.33 3.91 4.92 2.38 0.15 3.31 **
64 4.0 5.35 2.52 0.16 3.60 **
2 1/2” 73 4.5 6.88 2.87 0.18 4.62 **
75 4.5 7.08 2.95 0.18 4.76 **
83 5.0 8.70 3.27 0.20 5.85 ***
87 5.0 9.15 3.43 0.20 6.15 6 ***
3” Sch 40S 88.9 5.49 10.2 3.50 0.22 6.88 ***
100 5.0 10.6 3.94 0.20 7.12 5 ◊ ***
109 5.0 11.6 4.29 0.20 7.79 ***
4” 115 5.5 13.4 4.53 0.22 9.02 ***
5” 128 5.5 15.0 5.04 0.22 10.1 4 ***
146 6.0 18.7 5.75 0.24 12.6 3 ◊ *
6” 154 6.0 19.8 6.06 0.24 13.3 *
164 6.0 21.2 6.46 0.24 14.2 *
178 8.0 30.3 7.01 0.31 20.4 2 *
198 9.0 37.9 7.80 0.35 25.5 1 ◊ *
220 8.5 40.1 8.66 0.33 26.9 *
260 12.0 55.8 10.2 0.47 37.5 *

Tubothal elements Kanthal silicon carbide

1. Suits Tubothal element  170 All tubes suit depending on element
2. Suits Tubothal element  154 type and power.
3. Suits Tubothal element  124
4. Suits Tubothal element  110 SER Gas fired systems
5. Suits Tubothal element  80 * Outer tube
6. Suits Tubothal element  68 ** Inner tube
*** Inner or outer tube
Kanthal Super elements
◊ Suits Kanthal Super

17
 KANTHAL A-1 and APM
Wire and strip. Standard stock items.

Resistivity 1.45 Ω mm2 m-1. Density 7.1 g cm-3. To obtain resistivity at working
temperature, multiply by factor Ct in following table.

°C 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Ct 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.03 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.05

Wire Resistance Weight cm2/Ω Strip*) Resistance Weight cm2/Ω

dia mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C WxT mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C

1,0...............1.85 ................ 5.58.......... 17.0 5.0x1.0 .........0.290 ............ 35.5......... 414

1.1*) ............1.53 ................ 6.75.......... 22.7 10.0x1.0 .........0.145 ............ 49.7......... 1520
1.2...............1.28 ................ 8.03.......... 29.4 15.0x1.0 .........0.0967 .......... 107............ 3310
1.3*) ............1.09 ................ 9.43.......... 37.4 20.0x1.0 .........0.725 ............ 142............ 5790
1.4*) ............0.942 .............. 10.9............ 46.7 12.0x1.2 .........0.101 ............ 102............ 2620
1.5...............0.821 .............. 12.5............ 57.4 15.0x1.2 .........0.101 ............ 128............ 4020
1.6*) ............0.721 .............. 14.3............ 69.7 10.0x1.5 .........0.097 ............ 107............ 2380
1.7...............0.639 .............. 16.1............ 83.6 12.0x1.5 .........0.0806 .......... 128............ 3350
1.8...............0.570 .............. 18.1............ 99.2 15.0x1.5 .........0.0644 .......... 160............ 5120
2.0...............0.462 .............. 22.3............ 136 20.0x1.5 .........0.0483 .......... 213............ 8900
2.2...............0.381 .............. 27.0............ 181 25.0x1.5 .........0.0387 .......... 266............ 13700
2.3...............0.349 .............. 29.5............ 207 30.0x1.5 .........0.0320 .......... 320............ 19600
2.4*) ............0.321 .............. 32.1............ 235 15.0x2.0 .........0.0483 .......... 213............ 7040
2.5...............0.295 .............. 34.9............ 266 20.0x2.0 .........0.0363 .......... 284............ 12100
2.6...............0.273 .............. 37.7............ 299 25.0x2.0 .........0.0290 .......... 355............ 18600
2.8...............0.235 .............. 43.7............ 374 30.0x2.0 .........0.0242 .......... 426............ 26500
2.9...............0.219 .............. 47.0............ 416 20.0x2.5 .........0.0290 .......... 355............ 15500
3.0...............0.205 .............. 50.2............ 460 25.0x2.5 .........0.0232 .......... 444............ 23700
3.25.............0.175 .............. 58.9............ 584 30.0x2.5 .........0.0193 .......... 533............ 33600
3.5...............0.151 .............. 68.3............ 730 20.0x3.0 .........0.0242 .......... 426............ 19008
3.75.............0.131 .............. 78.4............ 897 25.0x3.0 .........0.0193 .......... 533............ 26200
4.0...............0.115 .............. 89.2............ 1090 30.0x3.0 .........0.0161 .......... 639............ 41000
4.25.............0.102 ..............101............... 1306
4.5...............0.0912............113............... 1550
4.75.............0.0818............126............... 1824
5.0...............0.0738............139............... 2127
5.5...............0.0610............169............... 2831
6.0...............0.0513............201............... 3676
6.5...............0.0437............236............... 4673
7.0...............0.0377............273............... 5840
7.35.............0.0340............300............... 5840
8.0...............0.0288............357............... 8690
8.25.............0.0271............380............... 9560
9.5...............0.0205............503...............14600
10.0...............0.0185............558...............17000

*) only A-1

19
KANTHAL AF
Wire and strip. Standard stock items.

Resistivity 1.39 Ω mm2 m-1. Density 7.15 g cm-3. To obtain resistivity at working
temperature, multiply by factor Ct in following table.

°C 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Ct 1.00 1.00 1.01 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.05 1.05 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.07

Wire Resistance Weight cm2/Ω Strip*) Resistance Weight cm2/Ω

dia mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C WxT mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C

1.0.................1.77 ................ 5.62.......... 17.8 10.0x1.0 .........0.139 ............ 71.5........... 1582

1.1.................1.46 ................ 6.79.......... 23.6 15.0x1.0 .........0.0927 ..........107.............. 3453
1.2.................1.23 ................ 8.09.......... 30.7 20.0x1.0 .........0.0695 ..........143.............. 6043
1.3.................1.05 ................ 9.49.......... 39.0 10.0x1.2 .........0.1158 .......... 86.............. 1934
1.4.................0.903 .............. 11.0............ 48.7 12.0x1.2 .........0.0965 ..........103.............. 2735
1.5.................0.787 .............. 12.6............ 59.9 15.0x1.2 .........0.0772 ..........129.............. 4196
1.6.................0.691 .............. 14.4............ 72.7 15.0x1.5 .........0.0618 ..........161.............. 5342
1.7.................0.612 .............. 16.2............ 87.2 20.0x1.5 .........0.0463 ..........215.............. 9281
1.8.................0.546 .............. 18.2............ 104 25.0x1.5 .........0.00371 ........268..............14302
2.0.................0.442 .............. 22.5............ 142 15.0x2.0 .........0.0463 ..........215.............. 7339
2.2.................0.366 .............. 27.2............ 189 20.0x2.0 .........0.0348 ..........286..............12664
2.3.................0.335 .............. 29.7............ 216 25.0x2.0 .........0.0278 ..........358..............19424
2.4.................0.307 .............. 32.3............ 245 30.0x2.0 .........0.0232 ..........429..............27623
2.5.................0.283 .............. 35.1............ 277 15.0x2.5 .........0.0371 ..........268..............27623
2.6.................0.262 .............. 38.0............ 312 20.0x2.5 .........0.0278 ..........358..............16190
2.8.................0.226 .............. 44.0............ 390 25.0x2.5 .........0.0222 ..........447..............24733
2.9.................0.210 .............. 47.2............ 433 30.0x2.5 .........0.0185 ..........536..............35071
3.0.................0.197 .............. 50.5............ 479 20.0x3.0 .........0.0232 ..........429..............19828
3.25...............0.168 .............. 59.3............ 609 25.0x3.0 .........0.0185 ..........536..............27331
3.5.................0.144 .............. 68.8............ 761 30.0x3.0 .........0.0154 ..........644..............39223
3.75...............0.126 .............. 79.0............ 936
4.0.................0.111 .............. 89.8............ 1136
4.25...............0.0980............101............... 1363
4.5.................0.0874............114............... 1618
4.75...............0.0784............127............... 1902
5.0.................0.0708............140............... 2219
5.5.................0.0585............170............... 2953
6.0.................0.0492............202............... 3834
6.5.................0.0419............237............... 4875
7.0.................0.0361............275............... 6089
7.35...............0.0328............303............... 7048
7.5.................0.0315............316............... 7489
8.0.................0.0277............359............... 9089
8.25...............0.0260............382............... 9968
9.27...............0.0206............483...............14141

20
KANTHAL D
Wire and strip. Standard stock items.

Resistivity 1.35 Ω mm2 m-1. Density 7.25 g cm-3. To obtain resistivity at working
temperature, multiply by factor Ct in following table.

°C 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
Ct 1.00 1.00 1.01 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.08 1.08

Wire Resistance Weight cm2/Ω Strip*) Resistance Weight cm2/Ω

dia mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C WxT mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C

1.0.................1.72 ................ 5.7............ 18.3 5.0x0.1 ...........2.70 .............. 3.6........... 43

1.1.................1.42 ................ 6.9............ 24.3 5.0x0.2 ...........1.35 .............. 7.3........... 76
1.2.................1.19 ................ 8.2............ 31.6 5.0x0.3 ...........0.900 ............ 10.9........... 118
1.3.................1.02 ................ 9.6............ 40.2 5.0x0.4 ...........0.657 ............ 14.5........... 160
1.4.................0.877 .............. 11.2............ 50.2 10.0x1.2 .........0.113 ............ 87.............. 1990
1.5.................0.764 .............. 12.8............ 61.7 12.0x1.2 .........0.0938 ..........104.............. 2820
1.6.................0.671 .............. 14.6............ 74.9 15.0x1.2 .........0.0750 ..........131.............. 4320
1.7.................0.595 .............. 16.5............ 89.8 15.0x1.5 .........0.0600 ..........163.............. 5500
1.8.................0.531 .............. 18.4............ 107 20.0x1.5 .........0.0450 ..........218.............. 9560
2.0.................0.430 .............. 22.8............ 146 15.0x2.0 .........0.0450 ..........218.............. 7560
2.5.................0.275 .............. 35.6............ 286 20.0x2.0 .........0.0338 ..........290..............13000
2.8.................0.219 .............. 44.6............ 401 25.0x2.0 .........0.0270 ..........363..............20000
3.0.................0.191 .............. 51.2............ 493 20.0x2.5 .........0.0270 ..........363..............16700
3.25...............0.163 .............. 60.1............ 627
3.5.................0.140 .............. 69.8............ 784
3.75...............0.122 .............. 80.1............ 964
4.0.................0.107 .............. 91.1............1170
4.25...............0.0952............103...............1403
4.5.................0.0849............115...............1666
4.75...............0.0762............128...............1959
5.0.................0.0688............142...............2285
5.5.................0.0568............172...............3041
6.0.................0.0477............205...............3948
6.5.................0.0407............241...............5019
7.35...............0.0318............308...............7257
8.0.................0.0269............364...............9358

21
NIKROTHAL 80
Wire and Strip. Standard stock items.

Resistivity 1.09 Ω mm2 m-1. Density 8.30 g cm-3. To obtain resistivity at working
temperature, multiply by factor Ct in following table.

°C 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
Ct 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07

Wire Resistance Weight cm2/Ω Strip*) Resistance Weight cm2/Ω

dia mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C WxT mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C

1.0.................1.39 ................ 6.52.......... 22.6 15.0x1.0 .........0.0727 ..........125.............. 4404

1.2.................0.964 .............. 9.39.......... 39.1 20.0x1.0 .........0.0545 ..........166.............. 7706
1.3.................0.821 .............. 11.0............ 49.7 25.0x1.0 .........0.0436 ..........208..............11930
1.4.................0.708 .............. 12.8............ 62.1 12.0x1.2 .........0.0757 ..........120.............. 3488
1.5.................0.617 .............. 14.7............ 76.4 15.0x1.5 .........0.0484 ..........187.............. 6812
1.6.................0.542 .............. 16.7............ 92.7 20.0x1.5 .........0.0363 ..........249..............11840
1.8.................0.428 .............. 21.1............ 132 25.0x1.5 .........0.0291 ..........311..............18230
2.0.................0.347 .............. 26.1............ 181 15.0x2.0 .........0.0363 ..........249.............. 9358
2.3.................0.262 .............. 34.5............ 275 20.0x2.0 .........0.0273 ..........332..............16150
2.5.................0.222 .............. 40.7............ 354 25.0x2.0 .........0.0218 ..........415..............24770
2.6.................0.205 .............. 44.1............ 398 30.0x2.0 .........0.0182 ..........498..............35230
2.8.................0.177 .............. 51.1............ 497 20.0x2.5 .........0.0218 ..........415..............20640
3.0.................0.154 .............. 58.7............ 611 25.0x2.5 .........0.0174 ..........519..............31540
3.25...............0.131 .............. 68.9............ 777 30.0x2.5 .........0.0145 ..........623..............44730
3.5.................0.113 .............. 79.9............ 971
3.75...............0.0987............ 91.7............ 1194
4.0.................0.0867............104............... 1449
4.25...............0.0768............118............... 1738
4.5.................0.0685............132............... 2063
4.75...............0.0615............147............... 2426
5.0.................0.0555............163............... 2830
5.5.................0.0459............197............... 3766
6.0.................0.0386............235............... 4890
6.5.................0.0328............275............... 6217
7.0.................0.0283............319............... 7764
7.5.................0.0247............367............... 9550
8.0.................0.0217............417...............11590

22
NIKROTHAL 70
Wire. No standard stock items –
on special order only.
Resistivity 1.18 Ω mm2 m-1. Density 8.10 g cm-3. To obtain resistivity at working
temperature, multiply by factor Ct in following table.

°C 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
Ct 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.05 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.05 1.05 1.06

Wire Resistance Weight cm2/Ω

dia mm Ω/m 20°C g/m 20°C

1.0.................1.50 ................ 6.36.......... 20.9

1.1.................1.24 ................ 7.70.......... 27.8
1.2.................1.04 ................ 9.16.......... 36.1
1.3.................0.889 .............. 10.8............ 45.9
1.4.................0.767 .............. 12.5............ 57.4
1.5.................0.668 .............. 14.3............ 70.6
1.6.................0.587 .............. 16.3............ 85.6
1.7.................0.520 .............. 18.4............ 103
1.8.................0.464 .............. 20.6............ 122
1.9.................0.416 .............. 23.0............ 143
2.0.................0.376 .............. 25.4............ 167
2.2.................0.310 .............. 30.8............ 223
2.5.................0.240 .............. 39.8............ 327
2.6.................0.222 .............. 43.0............ 368
2.8.................0.192 .............. 49.9............ 459
3.0.................0.167 .............. 57.3............ 565
3.25...............0.142 .............. 67.2............ 718
3.5.................0.123 .............. 77.9............ 897
3.75...............0.107 .............. 89.5............ 1103
4.0.................0.0939............102............... 1338
4.25...............0.0832............115............... 1605
4.5.................0.0742............129............... 1905
4.75...............0.0666............144............... 2241
5.0.................0.0601............159............... 2614
5.5.................0.0497............192............... 3479
6.0.................0.0417............229............... 4517
6.5.................0.0356............269............... 5742
7.0.................0.0307............312............... 7172
7.35...............0.0278............344............... 8303
7.5.................0.0267............358............... 8822
8.0.................0.0235............407...............10706
8.25...............0.0221............433...............11741
9.0.................0.0185............515...............15244

23
Terminals
Resistance and Weight Data

Material Resistivity Density

Ω mm2 m–1 g/cm3

KANTHAL APM ........................................................ ..................1.45...................... ............... 7.10

KANTHAL D ............................................................. ..................1.35...................... ............... 7.25
KANTHAL A-1 .......................................................... ..................1.45...................... ............... 7.10
NIKROTHAL 80 ........................................................ ..................1.09...................... ............... 8.30
NIKROTHAL 40 ........................................................ ..................1.04...................... ............... 7.90

Material Resistance Weight

Ω/m g/m

KANTHAL D
8 .............................................................................. ..................0.0269.................. ............... 364
10 .............................................................................. ..................0.0172.................. ............... 569
12 .............................................................................. ..................0.0119.................. ............... 820
16 .............................................................................. ..................0.0067.................. ...............1460
20 .............................................................................. ..................0.0043.................. ...............2280

KANTHAL A-1 and APM

8 .............................................................................. ..................0.0288.................. ............... 357
10 .............................................................................. ..................0.0185.................. ............... 558
12 .............................................................................. ..................0.0128.................. ............... 803
16 .............................................................................. ..................0.0072.................. ...............1428
20 (APM only)........................................................... ..................0.0046.................. ...............2231
30 (A-1 only) ............................................................. ..................0.0021.................. ...............5019
40 (APM only)........................................................... ..................0.0012.................. ...............8922

NIKROTHAL 80
8 .............................................................................. ..................0.0217.................. ............... 417
10 .............................................................................. ..................0.0172.................. ............... 652
12 .............................................................................. ..................0.0119.................. ............... 939
16 .............................................................................. ..................0.0067.................. ...............1670
20 .............................................................................. ..................0.0043.................. ...............2610

NIKROTHAL 40
8 .............................................................................. ..................0.0207.................. ............... 397
10 .............................................................................. ..................0.0132.................. ............... 620
12 .............................................................................. ..................0.0092.................. ............... 893
20 .............................................................................. ..................0.0033.................. ...............2482
30 .............................................................................. ..................0.0015.................. ...............5584

24
 Systems and Services
Our broad range of resistance materials, finished elements, radi-
ant tubes, construction material and other components cover
We can assist you
almost any application up to 2000°C. You can get all your • in choosing suitable element material, element type, support
requirements from one supplier, as well as qualified technical systems and insulation
advice. • with the design and calculation of the elements and heating
system
We can also supply complete heating systems e.g. radiant tubes • by supplying complete heating elements or heating systems
with integrated heating elements or inner tubes for gas heating, ready for installation
Fibrothal and Superthal heating units, Porcupine air heaters, • with the upgrading of old furnaces to latest heating
Fibrothal complete systems for renovation of furnaces etc. technology.
A complete system saves time and resources.

Tubothal®
Metallic Elements Long-life elements for all
types of radiant tubes, ideally
Wire and Strip Ready-made metallic KANTHAL APM, up to 1300°C,
elements manufactured by 2370°F, free radiating temperature.
KANTHAL and NIKROTHAL® highest
Kanthal Super, quality material for max. element
Kanthal workshops.
Superthal® temp. 1425°C, 2590°F.
Complete element assemblies
and heating modules for max. ele-
ment temperature 1850°C, 3360°F.

Silicon Carbide
FIBROTHAL® Hot Rod, Crusilite, Globar, Silit and
multileg silicon carbide heating
Heating elements A complete modular
elements for furnace temp between
building system for heating
Elements and systems for 700 and 1650°C, 1290 and 3000°F.
Extruded Tubes diffusion furnaces in the
and insulation.
Kanthal extruded radiant semiconductor industry.
tubes for gas or electriceally
heating furnaces.

KANTHAL
Box 502
SE-734 27 Hallstahammar, Sweden
Phone: +46 220 210 00
Telefax: +46 220 163 50
E-mail: [email protected]
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