The most demanded alloy in the modern electrical industry was invented by ... Nobody, in general, knows who. However, the chromium-nickel alloy that most accurately responds to temperature fluctuations exists and we owe it to the appearance of the thermocouple and compensation wires.
According to Soviet 1973 standards, chromel is an alloy of the following metals: chromium (Cr) from 8.5 to 10 percent, nickel (Ni) from 89 to 91 percent, cobalt (Co) from 0.6 to 1.2 percent, and silicon. copper and manganese in the form of impurities to the main components.
If earlier in the USSR four brands of chromel were used, today it is recommended to use two brands in the development of new equipment - Khromel TM (HXM 9.5), Khromel KM (HXM 9). The main difference, apparently in order to simplify the work of metallurgists, is in the unstandardized amount of cobalt and a more democratic range of silicon impurities.
Chromel thermocouples can measure a very wide range of temperatures: from comfortable for health in a sauna to metallurgical processes taking place at temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius. In addition to measuring functions, chromel can be used as a heating element for an electric heater or an electric stove.
Chromel is usually produced in the form of wire from 0.2 to 5 mm in diameter. It is expensive and sold by the meter.
