Kanthal APM Alloy [Dbl Post]

[csdn]

yeah, oops...wasn't paying attention to the forum area I was in when I posted this in general discussion.
I suppose having 30+ tabs open across several browser windows has it's pitfalls.
Anyway...
Has anyone else looked into this new alloy that Kanthal developed?

I compared the details on their datasheets, and it seems like it's pretty similar to A1, except that it looks like it would be more resilient when hot, which is when [my] coils tend to give out.

Has anyone tried this wire / Thoughts?
Discuss!

Link to the kanthal site for easy reference:
http://www.kanthal.com/en/products/m...fecral-alloys/

 

[jasl90]

This is the first I've heard of of it but the specs on the datasheet are pretty impressive next to A-1.

It's the Kanthal DT ribbon that really caught my attention though...
http://www.kanthal.com/en/products/material-datasheets/ribbon-flat-wire/kanthal-dt/

Kanthal DT is a ferritic iron-chromium-aluminium (FeCrAl) alloy with a highly adherent and dense surface oxide, which makes it suitable for applications using close wound coils. The dense surface oxide prevents short circuiting between adjacent turns of the coil.

... And maybe prevents shorts between coils & mesh???

This I want to get my hands on!

 

[csdn]

there are a couple issues with ribbon, unfortunately.
First is that it's incredibly hard to find in the sizes we need, which is roughly .4mm x .1mm
Second is that it tends to be extremely low resistance, requiring several wraps just to keep certain devices from throwing a LR error.
One video I watched where someone used it (.6 x .1, Kan D), it took them 7 wraps just to get 1.4ohm.

If anything, I'd like to see some .4 x .1 APM ribbon, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen anytime soon since I read in another post on ECF somewhere that mentions APM being pretty expensive compared to their other alloys due to the manufacturing process, which includes basically fusing powdered alloy. =\
Even still, the price of coil wire is relatively cheap in itself, and if APM is that much more resilient, I'd love to try it out.

 

[mikepetro]

This is the first I've heard of of it but the specs on the datasheet are pretty impressive next to A-1.

It's the Kanthal DT ribbon that really caught my attention though...
Kanthal DT

Kanthal DT is a ferritic iron-chromium-aluminium (FeCrAl) alloy with a highly adherent and dense surface oxide, which makes it suitable for applications using close wound coils. The dense surface oxide prevents short circuiting between adjacent turns of the coil.

... And maybe prevents shorts between coils & mesh???

This I want to get my hands on!

I have been researching the Kanthal DT myself and find it intriguing. The resistance is similar to Kanthal A or D and I like the heavier oxide buildup possibilities. The biggest difference that I can see is that it has less aluminum in it.

The Kanthal APM isnt manufactured in the ribbon form which is my preferred style, but the Kanthal DT is.

I am searching for a bulk distributor now.

As you say, might lead to less shorts and easier wick builds.

 

[mikepetro]

BTW, here is an excellent document that tells you pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about Kanthal. They offer several documents targeted at different Industries, this one is closest to our application.