So, what is the benefit of a "tension" coil vs. a standard microcoil?
Hey big, mornin'. Short answer is temperature. That's what we're after. And resistance is both the measure and the target. So tension winding is the means to get us there as quickly as possible in practical terms. It's a method and a standard used in the communications and electrical industry since the science began. I didn't dream this up. I was the kinda kid that sat around and listened to the stories of older wiser people than myself on what life
used to be like.
Kanthal is comprised of a unique metal alloy. When pulsed electrically (heated) it develops a uniform alumina oxide layer which insulates the wire against shorting. Both direct contact shorts and
thermal shorts, their equivalent (hot spots or segments). Both raise resistance making the wire substantially hotter and scorching our lungs with resulting
dry hits.
The reasons I've better explored with many other postings on resistance and tension. And here's a recent example,
The Pin Vise and "Stickyness".
Tensioning the wire with a kind of shaped memory creates the ideal relationship of turns for the uniform development of that oxide layer which is at the heart of a great vape. While we can do it by external force the hazards of damaging the wire with impurities, scorching or mangling of the geometry is far greater. I spent time researching the feasibility of this adaptation for the important purpose of enabling folks to achieve a simple electrical baseline quickly with minimal tools and instruction.
It's what we need to gauge everything else that we do. When we get it right and it just works.
Good luck big.