nickel chromium is an element that is used in a wide variety of different metal alloys. It is a popular choice for many applications because it has several desirable characteristics, including high temperature and corrosion resistance.
nickel chromium is also an important alloying element in superalloys, which are specialized steels made from a blend of different metals. These'superalloys' can work at extremely high temperatures and are often used for machinery in the oil and gas industry, as well as in other demanding applications.
NiCr alloys are available in a variety of grades, depending on the application. Typical alloys include nickel-chromium iron and nickel-chromium-iron-molybdenum.
Various nickel chromium alloys are available as bars, ingots, ribbon, wire, shot and sheet. Ultra high purity forms are also available in pellets and target formats for physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
This alloy has excellent oxidation resistance except in sulfur containing atmospheres and certain controlled atmospheres. It is particularly resistant to "green rot," preferential intergranular oxidation of chromium, which occurs with most other alloys under certain conditions. It is a popular material for furnace elements that operate at temperatures up to 1050 degC.
These alloys have excellent ductility after use and are generally suited for domestic heating appliances, furnaces in carburizing or semi-reducing atmospheres. They are also used in heat shielding materials, tungsten electrodes, rheostats and fan heaters.
In addition to being used in many common alloys, nickel chromium is also an essential part of the coating process for electrical ignition in fireworks and other explosives. It is a good choice for this purpose as it glows red hot when current flows through it and can be activated at a safe distance.
