NI80

Supported Applications

The Omega NI80 series is a resistance heating wire comprised of 80% Nickel and 20% Chromium. NIC80 wire functions as a resistor at elevated temperatures, serving as an essential element for high-temperature applications operating up to 1150°C (2100°F). Documented uses include electric furnaces, electric ranges, and radiant heaters.

Due to its combination of high electrical resistance and a temperature coefficient of resistance much less than that of Nickel-Chrome 60, the series is applied in technical applications requiring stable resistive heating. A specific note states this wire is not intended for use in making thermocouple elements.

Operating Conditions & Performance

The NI80 series supports process temperatures up to 1150°C (2100°F). The material composition consists of 80% Ni and 20% Cr, with a specific resistance of 650 Ω per circular mil-foot at 20°C (68°F).

Key physical properties include:

• Melting Point: Approx 1400°C (2550°F)
• Density: 0.304 lb/in³
• Specific Gravity: 8.41
• Nominal Coefficient of Linear Expansion: 0.000017 (10 to 1000°C)
• Tensile Strength at 20°C (68°F) Soft Annealed: 100,000 lb/in²
• Nominal Temperature Coefficient of Resistance: 0.00011 Ω/Ω/°C (20 to 500°C)

A resistance multiplication factor table provides values for temperatures ranging from 68°F to 2000°F, allowing calculation of resistance at indicated temperatures relative to room temperature.

Configuration Options

The series is available in multiple American Wire Gauge (AWG) sizes and spool lengths. The model number format follows NI80-<AWG>-<length>, where the length suffix indicates feet or meters.

• Wire Gauges: 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 AWG
• Diameters: Ranging from 1.0 mm (0.040") for 18 AWG to 0.25 mm (0.010") for 30 AWG
• Resistance per foot @ 20°C (68°F): Values range from 0.4062 Ω/ft (18 AWG) to 6.50 Ω/ft (30 AWG)
• Spool Lengths: Options include 50, 200, and 500 feet; or 15M and 60M meters

The series provides current temperature characteristics for straight wire stretched horizontally in free air at target temperatures of 425°C (800°F), 550°C (1000°F), 650°C (1200°F), 750°C (1400°F), 875°C (1600°F), and 1100°C (2000°F).

Key Product Differences

Variants differ by wire gauge, which dictates diameter, resistance per foot, and the amperage required to achieve specific temperatures. For example, a 30 AWG wire requires approximately 1.50 A to reach 425°C (800°F) in free air, whereas an 18 AWG wire of the same length would require significantly higher current due to lower resistance.

Model numbers encode the gauge and length directly: NI80-032-(t) corresponds to a specific diameter and resistance profile distinct from NI80-040-(t). The series does not include insulation or sheathing in its standard configuration as described by the bare wire specifications.