A new lean nickel alloy has recently been introduced that has excellent oxidation and creep properties
for use in industrial and automotive applications. This material has so far been used in electrical heating
element applications and is now being evaluated for use in fabricated car manifolds. This alloy was
specifically developed for maximum resistance to oxidation and resistance to oxide spallation when
thermally cycled, which is demanded by electrical resistance heating wires. However, these properties
are also useful in other applications where similar demands are required. This new alloy is also
optimized with respect to creep strength, which is demanded for the resistance wire applications in order
to prevent sagging and electrical shorting of the heating elements. Although the new alloy contains less
than 40% nickel, it has the properties of much higher alloys and is compared to traditional 60% nickel
containing alloys.
KEYWORDS: Heating element, nickel, nickel alloy, high temperature, oxidation, creep, reactive
element