FabDigitFabDigit

Nickel Alloy NiCr60/15-ANN (Annealed)

Heat-treated state · default condition

UNS N06004 · JIS NCHW2 · GB Cr15Ni60

Standard stocked condition for coiling heating elements: maximum ductility, stable resistance.

High cost $$$$

Values for the ANN condition

Other NiCr60/15 tempers and conditions

NiCr60/15 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at NiCr60/15.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot rolled + annealed bar/rod
Heavy sections for electrode bars, machined element supports and furnace hardware.33065035160 HB1.6 % IACS
ANNDefaultThis page
Annealed
Standard stocked condition for coiling heating elements: maximum ductility, stable resistance.39069032170 HB1.6 % IACS
Half hard
Chosen when the coil must hold its shape during assembly yet still take moderate bending.62085015220 HB1.5 % IACS
Cold drawn
Full-hard as-drawn wire for tight-tolerance winding, cutting wire and springy elements; anneals out on first firing.8501,050428 HRC1.5 % IACS

What is NiCr60/15-ANN?

NiCr60/15-ANN is NiCr60/15 heat treated to ANN — standard stocked condition for coiling heating elements: maximum ductility, stable resistance. NiCr60/15-ANN has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 51% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). NiCr60/15-ANN has a density of 8.24 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 1,150°C (2,102 °F), better than 95% of nickel alloy grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 91% of nickel alloy grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of nickel alloy grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 62/100, worse than 87% of nickel alloy grades
  • Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 84% of nickel alloy grades

NiCr60/15-ANN properties

Typical room-temperature values for NiCr60/15-ANN; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are NiCr60/15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.

Physical3

NiCr60/15-ANN has a density of 8.24 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).

Density8.24 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,390°C2,534 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,420°C2,588 °F

Mechanical16

NiCr60/15-ANN has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 51% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus175 GPa25.4 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)690 MPa100 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)390 MPa56.6 ksi
Elongation at Break32%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength390 MPa56.6 ksi
Shear Strength450 MPa65.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)105 MPa·√m95.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)120 J88.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell170 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B85 HRB
Hardness, Vickers180 HV

Thermal6

NiCr60/15-ANN is rated for continuous service to 1,150°C (2,102 °F). It conducts heat at 13 W/m·K (7.51 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 14 µm/m·K (7.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity13 W/m·K7.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion290 J/g125 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,150°C2,102 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

NiCr60/15-ANN conducts electricity at 1.6 % IACS, better than 67% of nickel alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.6 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.11×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.7 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseweakly magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 87% of nickel alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.15 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood62/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent dry-air oxidation resistance to ~1150 °C via adherent Cr₂O₃ scale; good in mildly reducing and nitriding atmospheres, but attacked by sulphur-bearing gases, molten salts, halides and strong reducing carburising atmospheres; only fair in wet/acidic media (not a wet-corrosion alloy).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of NiCr60/15-ANN takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — less than 90% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

NiCr60/15-ANN's machinability is poor (25/100, better than 76% of nickel alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability very good (80/100).

MachinabilityPoor25/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityGood65/100
Formability (cold)Very good80/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — not an anodisable alloy; service protection comes from the self-forming chromia scale (pre-oxidation heat treatment is used instead)

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated84 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated25.5 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated362 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated3.4 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated3

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with NiCr60/15-ANN

Is NiCr60/15 easy to machine?

Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low speed (~20–30 m/min) and flood coolant; avoid dwelling.

Can NiCr60/15 be welded?

Readily spot/resistance welded and TIG welded to itself with matching NiCr filler; keep heat input low, clean off oxide first, and avoid sulphur-bearing greases before welding.

Can NiCr60/15 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent drawability and coilability in the annealed state; heavily cold-worked wire should be stress-relieved or given a first controlled burn-in to avoid coil distortion.

What surface finishes work on NiCr60/15?

Not anodisable; normal practice is a pre-oxidation cycle in air (~1000 °C) to form the protective chromia film — avoid plating or oils that leave sulphur/halide residues.

NiCr60/15 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
NiASTM B344 alloy 60: 57–6255 – 6160
Cr15 – 1816
C≤ 0.10.06
Siraises resistivity and scale adhesion0.75 – 1.61.2
Mn≤ 10.5
Al≤ 0.50.2
S≤ 0.02—
P≤ 0.02—
RErare-earth micro-addition in some GB grades≤ 0.1—
Febalance, nominally ~22–25%balance—

NiCr60/15-ANN — frequently asked

What is NiCr60/15-ANN used for?

NiCr60/15-ANN is typically used for appliance heating elements, immersion heaters and industrial resistors. In short: lower-cost nichrome grade; medium-duty heating elements; good drawability and coilability.

What is the yield strength of NiCr60/15-ANN?

NiCr60/15-ANN has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 51% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is NiCr60/15-ANN easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, better than 76% of nickel alloy grades). Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low speed (~20–30 m/min) and flood coolant; avoid dwelling.

Can NiCr60/15-ANN be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily spot/resistance welded and TIG welded to itself with matching NiCr filler; keep heat input low, clean off oxide first, and avoid sulphur-bearing greases before welding.

What surface finishes work on NiCr60/15-ANN?

Not anodisable; normal practice is a pre-oxidation cycle in air (~1000 °C) to form the protective chromia film — avoid plating or oils that leave sulphur/halide residues.

Can NiCr60/15-ANN be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent drawability and coilability in the annealed state; heavily cold-worked wire should be stress-relieved or given a first controlled burn-in to avoid coil distortion.

What is the maximum service temperature of NiCr60/15-ANN?

NiCr60/15-ANN is rated for continuous use to about 1,150°C (2,102 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between NiCr60/15-ANN and NiCr60/15-CD?

ANN is the default condition — standard stocked condition for coiling heating elements: maximum ductility, stable resistance. CD: full-hard as-drawn wire for tight-tolerance winding, cutting wire and springy elements; anneals out on first firing. Yield strength is 390 MPa in ANN versus 850 MPa in CD.

Sources

  1. ASTM B344 Standard Specification for Drawn or Rolled Nickel-Chromium and Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloys for Electrical Heating Elements — ASTM International (2018)
  2. Nikrothal 60 resistance heating alloy datasheet — Kanthal (Sandvik) (2021)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
  5. Cr15Ni60 (1688 / SMM ) (2026)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.