The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Best material for resistance heating coils

adv.   

I am a student at Miami University. I am trying to make a battery powered heating unit using electrical residence. What metal would you advise me to use as the heating coil, (I am thinking about using lead) and what should I finish it with so that it is insulated electrically but not thermally. It must also be resistant to water.

Thanks

David Emerson
Student - Cleveland, Ohio, USA
2004

What size is this to be, physically. What voltage? What amount of heat are you trying to get out of it? What - exactly- are ytou going to use it for. Why not use a commercial heater?

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004

---

David,

James posed all the right questions.... why not use a commercial heater?

The good heaters are made from NiCr ... the so-called Brightray series. This is a very high Nickel Chrome content material and utterly resistant to water !

If you still want to learn more, go to SPECIAL METALS (in the USA) or SPECIAL METALS WIGGIN in the UK. They are the kings of the Nickel alloys in the world and make the jet turbine blades from NiCr + some alloys ... which, and I know you won't believe me, CANNOT be drilled by conventional means.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2005

---

Well David,You can use Nichrome wire if you can find a source. Depending on what your heating possibly a heating element from a stove would work. Also the elements from stoves are enclosed so you won't have a thermal or water problem.

Good Luck,

Fred Read
- Duluth, MN, USA
2005