NIC60-NIC80

Supported Applications

The Omega NIC60 and NIC80 series consists of coiled nickel-chromium alloy resistance heating wire designed for high-temperature applications. Documented uses include electric furnaces, radiant heating systems, and air heating configurations.

Operating Conditions & Performance

Performance limits differ by alloy composition:

• NIC80 (80% Nickel/20% Chromium): Rated for operation up to 1150°C (2100°F).
• NIC60 (60% Nickel, 16% Chromium, balance Iron): Rated for operation up to 1000°C (1850°F).

The series is supplied in a tightly compacted coiled form. A critical operational requirement states that precoiled wire must be extended to at least three times the compacted spooled length before use.

Material Properties and Electrical Characteristics

• NIC80: Specific resistance is 650 Ω per circular mil-foot at 20°C (68°F). Melting point is approximately 1400°C (2550°F).
• NIC60: Specific resistance is 675 Ω per circular mil-foot at 20°C (68°F). Melting point is approximately 1350°C (2450°F).

Tensile strength for both alloys in the hard-drawn condition @ 20°C (68°F) is listed as 200,000 lb/in². Soft annealed tensile strength is 100,000 lb/in² for NIC80 and 95,000 lb/in² for NIC60.

Current Temperature Characteristics

The series data sheet provides current ratings (Amps) across a range of operating temperatures from 425°C (800°F) to 1100°C (2000°F). These values vary by AWG size and alloy type. For example, at 1100°C (2000°F), the current rating for an 18 AWG wire is 16.70 Amps for NIC80 and 16.03 Amps for NIC60.

Configuration Options

The series offers a wide configuration envelope defined by alloy type, American Wire Gauge (AWG), coil outer diameter (OD), turns per inch, and spooled length.

Alloy Selection

• NIC80: 80% Nickel / 20% Chromium composition. Higher maximum operating temperature.
• NIC60: 60% Nickel, 16% Chromium, balance Iron composition. Higher specific resistance compared to NIC80 in some contexts but distinct thermal limits.

Wire Gauge and Coil Dimensions

Variants are available across AWG sizes from 18 through 30. The wire diameter ranges from 1.0 mm (0.040 inch) for 18 AWG down to 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) for 30 AWG.

Coil outer diameters are offered in multiple sizes, including:

• 6.4 mm (0.250")
• 4.8 mm (0.188")
• 4.0 mm (0.156")
• 3.2 mm (0.125")
• 2.4 mm (0.093")
• 1.6 mm (0.062")

The turns per inch vary by configuration, ranging from 25 to 100.

Spooled Lengths and Ordering

Standard spooled lengths include 7.5 m (25'), with continuous lengths available up to 3500 meters (10,000 feet). The model number format follows the pattern NIC80-<AWG>-<OD>-<Turns> or NIC60-<AWG>-<OD>-<Turns>, with specific examples such as NIC80-010-125-50 representing 30-gage wire in a 0.125" OD coil, spooled to 50' length.

Key Product Differences

The primary distinction between the two product families is the alloy composition and resulting thermal limits. NIC80 supports higher maximum temperatures (up to 1150°C / 2100°F) compared to NIC60 (up to 1000°C / 1850°F). While both share similar dimensional options, their electrical resistance per inch of coil differs; for instance, a 30 AWG wire in a 0.125" OD coil measures 19.570 Ω/inch @ 20°C (68°F) for NIC80 versus 20.322 Ω/inch @ 20°C (68°F) for NIC60.

Current carrying capacity also varies by alloy at identical temperatures and gauges, with specific values documented in the current temperature characteristics table for each AWG size from 18 to 30 across operating points of 425°C through 1100°C (800°F through 2000°F).