Nichrome wire is magnetic or not. Nichrome wire: characteristics and applications

We have already written an article about an alloy called nichrome . This material is dedicated specifically scrap . Recycled nichrome is a fairly valuable product for scrap metal collection points, since the compound itself has a number of unique properties, being resistant to temperature and corrosion. There are two basic grades of alloy on the domestic market: X20N80, X15N60. Other brands are not so popular. Moreover, the cost of scrap of this alloy is often calculated by nickel content (see nickel scrap ), determined by special analyzers, regardless of the type of material.

Pricing policy, features of receiving compounds based on nickel and chromium

Nichrome is accepted by almost every scrap metal delivery point that handles non-ferrous raw materials. The cost of scrap is determined by the nickel content, which makes the X20N80 grade more valuable in the secondary metal market. According to GOST 10994-74, the percentage of Ni for the X15N60 compound is set in the range of 55 – 61%. For grade Х20Н80 nickel content: 73 – 78%.

Nichrome rod X20N80 8 mm thick

Therefore, before handing over nichrome, like any other nickel-containing alloy, you must make sure that the collection point is equipped with the appropriate equipment. Typically these are spectral analyzers that determine the exact percentage of nickel in a compound. This approach will ensure maximum efficiency in the sale of high-temperature alloy scrap; the profit received will clearly correspond to the content of the base metal.

The second factor that determines the price, regardless of the brand, is the thickness of the wire. The limit parameter is 3 mm, nichrome waste that does not overcome it is cheaper by an average of 20 rubles per kg.

Peculiarities

First of all, it should be noted that the high popularity of the heating cable is due to its impressive efficiency. It converts almost all electrical energy into heat, allowing you to minimize losses and achieve optimal consumption of available resources.

If we single out situations for which underfloor heating is considered the best solution, then their list will look like this:

• use of cold coatings (optionally, ceramic tiles);
• high level of humidity in rooms (most often these are bathrooms);

• inability to connect to central heating (relevant for dressing rooms and hallways, as well as insulated loggias and balconies);
• the need to heat suburban real estate.

Another remarkable feature of floors equipped with a heating cable is the ability to install them under a variety of types of coverings. It’s enough just to get acquainted with the principle of operation and arrangement of such heating systems, as well as with their main varieties.

Average prices for nichrome scrap

As we write every time about any type of scrap, prices in all regions of Russia are different, somewhere less, somewhere more. It depends on the shortage and demand for scrap in a given city. Where nichrome scrap is constantly required and is in demand in production, in this region the cost of nichrome scrap will be higher. Therefore, in order to roughly navigate the prices, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the average Russian prices for nichrome scrap:

Types of nichrome scrap and identification methods

You can submit nichrome waste in any form; collection points work with various types of this material:

• heating elements of furnaces;

• electrodes;

• thermocouples;

• electronic equipment terminals;

• resistance units, including high-resistance resistors, rheostats;

Nichrome ballast. Nichrome has a high resistivity, making it ideal for ballast

• ribbons;

• wire.

It is almost impossible to distinguish scrap nichrome by eye . Wire made from this alloy is similar to its steel counterpart, so it is better to use a magnet. As is known, the X20N80 grade contains iron at the level of 1%, therefore it is absolutely non-magnetic, unlike steel products. Regarding X15N60, we can say the following: the wire must bias, since the composition of the compound contains iron at a level of 17 - 29%.

Therefore, the question is: is nichrome magnetic or not? You can safely answer: NO! Nichrome is not magnetic.

A more accurate way to distinguish nichrome scrap from other types of scrap metal is to use an ohmmeter. The alloy has a high resistivity of 1.1 μOhm/m.

Soldering Features

The features of nichrome soldering are as follows:

1. Use of tin-lead materials POS 50 and POS 1 for solder.
2. Careful preparation of flux.
3. Proper processing of the working surface.

Before soldering, the working surface is cleaned with sandpaper and treated with cotton wool soaked in an alcohol solution of copper chloride. Next, apply flux and begin the process.

When tinning nichrome with copper leads, it is better to use 2-3 g of citric acid. This is enough to service one wire. To remove acid, the wire must be placed on rosin, dipped, and a soldering iron is used for further work.

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• Topic: How to distinguish nichrome wire by eye?

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Among precision alloys subject to large temperature changes, nichrome occupies a special place. Due to its high heat resistance, its use is more justified in the manufacture of heating devices and key components of furnace equipment. The working material in this case is nichrome wire of a certain grade. Each of them differs in the percentage of various alloying additives, which allows, based on design performance indicators, to make a choice in favor of one or another sample, depending on its main quality characteristics, the main of which is the resistance of the nichrome wire.

Progressive alloy in everyday life and industry, as a potential source of scrap

The service life of the alloy is set regardless of the brand and is at least 4000 hours. This is a low value, suggesting about six months with continuous use and about five years with a temporary workload of 10%. Naturally, in practice, the service life is determined by the homogeneity of the alloy, the thickness of the spiral and specific operating conditions. The relatively short service life of the material ensures regular replenishment of secondary nichrome volumes from parts of household heating appliances and industrial equipment.

Heat-resistant production equipment is not the only source of this alloy waste. The household use of heat-resistant compounds is quite wide:

• spirals of electric heating devices;

Advice from professionals

Experts consider the first switch-on to be one of the most significant moments on which the performance of the system being installed depends. Its algorithm is presented below:

• First day. The temperature controller is set to 20°C.
• Next 3 days. The temperature increases by 2°C every day.
• Fifth day. The heated floor is ready for full use.

If the installed equipment does not heat, then first of all the owner of the premises needs to check whether the cable is broken using a multimeter

When measuring resistance using this device, it is important to consider that it should not deviate by more than 5% from the values ​​declared by the manufacturer. If there are serious discrepancies, there is only one solution left - to find damage or a break, “armed” with a device for searching for hidden wiring in the walls. Having found the problem area, you can begin to repair it (it is better not to solder, but to use a coupling that provides the most reliable connection)

Having found the problem area, you can begin to repair it (it is better not to solder, but to use a coupling that provides the most reliable connection).

Another common cause of underfloor heating malfunction is the temperature regulator, or more precisely, loosening of the contacts of its terminal block. To repair the device, just remove its front cover and carefully tighten the screw connections.

In conclusion, it remains to add that experts do not advise saving on the cost of purchased products. A cheap cable can quickly become unusable, which is explained by its low service life. Considering this circumstance, it is better to buy high-quality products from the top ones with the best reviews. Having made such a choice, there is no doubt that warmth and comfort in your home will be ensured, and for a very long time.

To see the difference between a heating cable and a heating mat, see the following video.

Delivery of nichrome that has not been used

The heat-resistant alloy is in demand at reception points in almost any form. Moreover, you can sell nichrome wire much more profitably than an alloy that has completed its service life in electric heating equipment. The cost of receiving wire material in coils is almost twice as high.

Other forms of nichrome, namely: tapes, strips, rods, plates and bars are also an excellent alternative for additional income. Prices for such material reach 800 rubles per kilogram. As a rule, the source of nichrome in this case is warehouses where state reserves and other illiquid products are collected. Additionally, it may be remnants of wire or tape products.

Nichrome from used products or purchased, but not in demand, ends up through non-ferrous metal collection points for recycling .

Nichrome in any form is purchased by both small outlets and reputable companies; the price also varies.

Where to go is decided by the deliverer after studying the conditions.

Let's consider what nichrome and its scrap are, how much they pay for 1 kg of this alloy and why.

Properties and applications of nichrome

An alloy of nickel and chromium in a ratio of 80 to 20 obtained in 1905 , thanks to its technical properties, has found application in many devices and products. Despite the high cost of the resulting material, obvious benefits were observed due to the durability and trouble-free operation of the devices.

The percentage ratio of nickel-chromium was selected experimentally and solved the set goal: to achieve properties of the metal that were not provided by any of those used in technology at that time.

Advantageous characteristics of nichrome:

• plasticity (an important property in the production of nichrome products);
• heat resistance;
• low expansion coefficient when exposed to high temperatures;
• does not create a significant electromagnetic field when operating products in electrical appliances:
• high current resistance (the main parameter for use in electric heating devices);
• small specific gravity.

Currently, the alloy composition may vary. Supplements may be added from:

The main brands of nichrome are X20N80 and X15N60 .

Products made from nickel-containing alloy:

• ribbon;
• rod;
• wire;
• certain types of fasteners;
• parts for operating devices under conditions of sudden and repeated temperature changes and (or) in an aggressive environment.

They are used in:

• electrical engineering;
• instrument making;
• metallurgical;
• machine tool and some other industries.

Brand nomenclature

Existing brands differ in composition and represent a range of nichrome alloys. Wire has a wide range of uses, which is determined by the individual properties of each.

• Group 1 – resistor material: X20N80, X20N73YUM-VI, N80HYUD-VI, X15N60.
• Group 2 – metal for heating elements for household and industrial use with increased heat resistance characteristics: Kh20N80-N-VI, Kh15N60-N, KhN70Yu-N, Kh20N80-N, KhN20YUS.
• Group 3 – for work at temperatures up to 900˚С: Н50К10, Х25Н20.

In this case, the diameter of the nichrome wire of the first group is 0.009-0.4 mm, and for the second - 0.2-7.5 mm.

“Relatives” are kanthals or fechrals - alloys of chromium, aluminum and iron. They are also characterized by high electrical resistance, heat resistance in the range of 1250-1400˚C, but less reliability, although low cost (X23Yu5, X13Yu4, X23Yu5T, X27Yu5T, X15Yu5).

Sources of nichrome scrap

Modern heating equipment (household and industrial) contains products made of nichrome. High-resistance resistors , including ballast ones , are often made of this alloy.

A thrifty owner, before throwing away a device that cannot be repaired, will disassemble it and sort it by type of recyclable material. Then he will receive monetary compensation for his efforts.

A burnt-out radiator can be returned without disassembling it. In this case, it will be accepted at the price of regular scrap metal. But it also contains non-ferrous metals, albeit in small quantities.

By the components separately, the amount due will look much nicer .

In addition to privately owned equipment that allows you to extract nichrome parts and wire, there are other sources.

The most attractive are warehouses with surplus goods . It is not always possible to sell unclaimed items as products. The solution is to hand over it as non-ferrous metal.

When product certificates have been preserved and the batch is large (in weight terms), nichrome will be accepted on the most favorable terms.

Admission conditions and restrictions

When choosing a point for delivery of nichrome raw materials, you should pay attention to some information about the conditions for receiving a particular point.

The seller must pay attention to the following points:

1. The maximum declared value refers to an alloy in which the nickel content approaches 80% , and scrap in its pure form (without dirt or chemical residues).
2. Is there a limit on the weight of the batch (some have a minimum weight, for example, 500 kg). They will, of course, accept less, but the price will be reduced.
3. What method is used to check the nickel content in raw materials (instrumentation).

Factors affecting the cost of scrap

Why does the price of nichrome vary significantly between different receivers? What does it depend on? Is it possible to get maximum benefit by studying the market and preparing your existing nichrome waste accordingly?

Nickel included in the alloy is an expensive raw material. In its pure form, it is present only in meteorites .

In deposits (you can count the open ones on one hand), nickel is presented in the form of ore with many impurities.

Recycling nichrome is economically beneficial. The higher the nickel content in the sample, the higher the acceptance cost. For each interest, on average, from 3 to 5 rubles .

An increase or decrease in the price of nickel on the stock exchange responds, albeit not instantly, to the assessment of secondary nichrome.

Demand for raw materials in a specific region. The more enterprises that consume nichrome scrap, the higher the purchase cost. In large industrial cities, the price per kilogram of alloy is higher (up to three times) than in the outback.

The type of nichrome being handed over also affects the cost.

We highlight the following types of nichrome scrap:

• wire;
• ribbon;
• rod;
• scrap of unknown origin at first glance.

At points where assessment is carried out for each type separately, new wire with a thickness of 3 mm .

Let's move on to the numbers:

The table shows approximate scrap prices per 1 kilogram for the most expensive brand of nichrome. For the X15N60 , prices are 20% lower.

The price of nichrome scrap per 1 kg in small points is lower than the cost indicated in the table, by approximately 20-25%.

Summarize

• Details,
• wires,
• nichrome tape,
• devices containing nichrome,

throw it away like a rusty frying pan . This is potential money.

It is impossible to determine the percentage of nickel in a metal or alloy at home, but the fact of its presence is quite real.

Such an alloy does not magnetize or magnetizes only slightly , and when exposed to an angle grinder it produces small reddish sparks.

The cost of the alloy sold directly depends on the amount of nickel in it and the price of nickel itself.

You can find out where to get nichrome from this video:

Nichrome wire is a popular material that has already taken its place as a “traditional” one among many similar products. It is obtained thanks to an alloy of nickel and chromium.

If you are also looking for such an option, then simply enter nichrome wire to buy into your search query and then look through all the proposed products.

Production

Nichrome wire is produced using pressure processing, namely, the technological operation of drawing. It is carried out without additional heating of the workpieces; accordingly, the product is cold-drawn.

Nichrome wire is supplied in a soft state, for which it is annealed. In some cases, the surface is etched. Mechanical processing, which includes turning, grinding and other operations, is not performed due to the small size of the workpieces. Product dimensions, mechanical properties, delivery condition, electrical resistance, as well as maximum operating temperatures are regulated by GOST 12766.1-90 and GOST 8803-89 standards.

It is worth noting that a semi-finished product of round cross-section with small diameters is usually called nichrome thread. The standards do not contain such a semi-finished product in their descriptions, but among specialists this term is used quite often.

What is nichrome

It is worth noting that such an alloy contains a large concentration of chemical elements, which ensures strength and resistance to electrical influences.

Why is nichrome in demand in various fields? Here are some features of this material:

• sustainability. The product does not rust and has excellent corrosion resistance, which cannot be said about other types of metals;
• cannot be deformed. Nichrome wires retain their properties under any influence;
• elasticity. The material can be given various shapes.

Nichrome wires are used in various fields. The product is used for the manufacture of machines and devices for wood processing.

Wire has found wide application in the creation of ordinary household heaters.

There is a certain classification of nichrome products, which is necessary if they are used in various systems. For example, marking C indicates that the product is used for the manufacture of various elements characterized by resistance.

The letter H on the wire indicates that the material is used to create heating systems.

The article number of the heating element means that nichrome wire is used in the manufacture of electrical options. Most often these are heating systems.

What material is best for coils?

A novice vaper should start by making coils

from kanthal.
This is the most affordable and unpretentious material
for making
coils
. As a last resort - stainless steel. But it is worth remembering that the use of stainless steel requires maintaining low resistance when operating the mod.

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