Nickel Alloy NiCr80/20
UNS N06003 · ASTM B344 · JIS NCHW1 · GB Cr20Ni80
NiCr80/20 is the classic 80Ni–20Cr electrical resistance alloy (N06003, Cr20Ni80, NCHW1, B344), used where high resistivity and a stable resistance value at temperature are required.
Reference datasheet — NiCr80/20 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Annealed condition
NiCr80/20 tempers and conditions
NiCr80/20 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Heavy sections for furnace fixtures, cast-in elements and machined resistor bars. | 350 | 690 | 38 | 155 HB | 1.6 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault soft (bright/strand annealed wire, strip, ribbon) | Default stocked condition: soft, fully ductile wire/ribbon for coiling heating elements. | 400 | 700 | 35 | 160 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Slight cold work for straighter wire and better handling stiffness while keeping useful ductility. | 620 | 830 | 20 | 19 HRC | 1.6 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Use when coiled or formed elements must keep dimensional stability on first heat-up without full softening. | 620 | 860 | 18 | 21 HRC | 1.6 % IACS |
Half hard | Pick for stiffer ribbon/strip and formed parts needing springback control before a final anneal. | 760 | 950 | 12 | 24 HRC | 1.6 % IACS |
Hardened | Maximum strength and straightness for spring-like or tension-loaded resistance elements; anneal or first-fire before tight coiling. | 980 | 1,150 | 4 | 34 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways NiCr80/20 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
PREOX | Pre-oxidised | Surface finish |
What is NiCr80/20?
NiCr80/20 is the classic 80Ni–20Cr electrical resistance alloy (N06003, Cr20Ni80, NCHW1, B344), used where high resistivity and a stable resistance value at temperature are required. Engineers choose it for heating elements because the chromia scale it forms resists oxidation to a maximum service temperature of 1150 °C; it is supplied as wire, ribbon, strip and foil in annealed, 1/4H, 1/2H and hard tempers plus hot-rolled, stress-relieved and pre-oxidised conditions. Machinability is poor (rated 25) so it is rarely used as a machined structural part; where cost matters more than peak temperature, the lower-nickel NiCr60/16 is the usual alternative. NiCr80/20 has a density of 8.4 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,380°C (2,516 °F). NiCr80/20 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 56% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 218 GPa (31.6 Msi).
What is NiCr80/20 used for?
- Toaster and heater elements
- Industrial furnace heating elements
- Resistors
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,150°C (2,102 °F), better than 95% of nickel alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 95% of nickel alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 84% of nickel alloy grades
NiCr80/20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for NiCr80/20-Annealed; bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
NiCr80/20 has a density of 8.4 g/cm³ (0.303 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,380°C (2,516 °F).
Mechanical14
NiCr80/20 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 56% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 218 GPa (31.6 Msi).
Thermal6
NiCr80/20 is rated for continuous service to 1,150°C (2,102 °F). It conducts heat at 11.3 W/m·K (6.53 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 13.4 µm/m·K (7.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
NiCr80/20 conducts electricity at 1.6 % IACS, better than 70% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 71% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of NiCr80/20 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 11.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 77% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
NiCr80/20's machinability is poor (25/100, better than 76% of nickel alloy grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the nickel alloy family
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade FabDigit runs. NiCr80/20 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with NiCr80/20
Is NiCr80/20 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low speed (~15–25 m/min) and flood coolant; avoid dwelling.
Can NiCr80/20 be welded?
Readily GTAW/resistance/spot welded with matching NiCr80/20 or Ni-Cr-Fe filler; keep heat input low, use argon shielding and avoid sulfur-bearing contaminants on the surface.
Can NiCr80/20 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed wire and ribbon draw, coil and bend easily; work-hardens fast so interstage anneals (~1000–1100 °C, rapid cool) are needed for heavy cold reductions.
NiCr80/20 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CrGB/T 1234 Cr20Ni80 allows up to 23 | 19 – 21 | 20 |
| Fe | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Siimproves scale adhesion | 0.75 – 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| C | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Al | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Ca+REmicro-additions for oxide adherence | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Nibalance, incl. Co | ≥ 77 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on NiCr80/20?
Normally supplied bright annealed or pre-oxidised; a controlled first firing in air builds the protective Cr₂O₃ layer — do not paint or plate the hot zone, and keep it free of oil, sulfur and chlorides.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on nickel alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Nickel Alloy NiCr80/20 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- N06003
- ASTM
- B344
- GB (China)
- Cr20Ni80
- JIS
- NCHW1
- Also called
- Nichrome 80
How much does NiCr80/20 cost?
NiCr80/20 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
NiCr80/20 — frequently asked
What is NiCr80/20 used for?
NiCr80/20 is typically used for toaster and heater elements, industrial furnace heating elements and resistors. In short: highest-temperature nichrome grade; stable resistance to 1150 °C; standard heating-element wire.
What is the yield strength of NiCr80/20?
NiCr80/20 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 56% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is NiCr80/20 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, better than 76% of nickel alloy grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low speed (~15–25 m/min) and flood coolant; avoid dwelling.
Can NiCr80/20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily GTAW/resistance/spot welded with matching NiCr80/20 or Ni-Cr-Fe filler; keep heat input low, use argon shielding and avoid sulfur-bearing contaminants on the surface.
What surface finishes work on NiCr80/20?
Normally supplied bright annealed or pre-oxidised; a controlled first firing in air builds the protective Cr₂O₃ layer — do not paint or plate the hot zone, and keep it free of oil, sulfur and chlorides.
Can NiCr80/20 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed wire and ribbon draw, coil and bend easily; work-hardens fast so interstage anneals (~1000–1100 °C, rapid cool) are needed for heavy cold reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of NiCr80/20?
NiCr80/20 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 NiCr80/20 Annealed and NiCr80/20-H?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition: soft, fully ductile wire/ribbon for coiling heating elements. H: maximum strength and straightness for spring-like or tension-loaded resistance elements; anneal or first-fire before tight coiling. Yield strength is 400 MPa in Annealed versus 980 MPa in H.
How much does NiCr80/20 cost?
NiCr80/20 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B344 — Drawn or Rolled Nickel-Chromium and Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloys for Electrical Heating Elements — ASTM International (2019)
- GB/T 1234 — (Cr20Ni80) (2012)
- Nikrothal 80 resistance heating alloy datasheet — Kanthal / Alleima (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.