Kanthal A1 vs APM vs Nichrome
The wire an element is wound from sets its top temperature, its resistance, and how long it lasts. Here's how the three alloys we work with most — Kanthal A1, Kanthal APM, and Nichrome 80/20 — actually compare, and which one belongs in your kiln or furnace.
Side-by-side data
| Property | Kanthal A1 | Kanthal APM | Nichrome 80/20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy family | FeCrAl | FeCrAl (powder-met.) | NiCr |
| Nominal composition | Fe · ~21% Cr · 5.8% Al | Fe · 22% Cr · 5.8% Al | 80% Ni · 20% Cr |
| Max element temp | 1400°C (2550°F) | 1425°C (2600°F) | 1200°C (2190°F) |
| Resistivity at 20°C | 1.45 Ω·mm²/m | 1.45 Ω·mm²/m | ≈1.09 Ω·mm²/m |
| Density | 7.10 g/cm³ | 7.10 g/cm³ | 8.30 g/cm³ |
| Relative cost | Low | High | Medium–High |
| Best for | Pottery kilns, most furnaces | High-temp / long-life furnaces | Lower-temp, flex & vibration |
Figures from the manufacturers' published datasheets (Kanthal A-1, Kanthal APM, Nikrothal 80). Resistivity and life vary with wire gauge, winding, and operating temperature.
FeCrAl — Kanthal A1 & APM
Iron-chromium-aluminium alloys form a tough, self-healing aluminium-oxide skin that lets them run hotter than nickel alloys — up to 1400°C (A1) or 1425°C (APM). They're also lighter and have higher resistivity, so you need less wire for the same wattage. APM is the powder-metallurgical version: far better form stability (it won't sag or grow as much), longer life, and a higher ceiling — at a higher price. For most pottery kilns, A1 is the sweet spot.
NiCr — Nichrome 80/20
Nichrome (80% nickel, 20% chromium) tops out lower — around 1200°C — and is denser with lower resistivity, so a coil needs more wire. Its advantage is mechanical: it stays ductile and springy hot and cold, handles vibration and repeated flexing, and resists certain atmospheres better. That makes it the right pick for lower-temperature ovens, appliances, and elements that move — but for a Cone 10 kiln it simply can't reach the temperatures FeCrAl can.
Which should you choose?
- Pottery / ceramic kiln (Cone 6–10): Kanthal A1 — proven, cost-effective, and rated well above stoneware temperatures.
- High-temperature or production furnace, or you want maximum life: Kanthal APM — the extra form stability and 1425°C ceiling pay back in fewer rewinds.
- Lower-temperature oven, appliance, or a flexing/vibrating element: Nichrome 80/20 — ductile and durable where heat isn't the limiting factor.
Switching alloys changes the resistance for a given length and gauge, so an element is always wound to a target resistance for your voltage and wattage — never just "the same length of a different wire." Use our element resistance calculator to see the target for your kiln.
Keep reading
Element resistance calculator
Find the target ohms for your element from volts and watts.
Choosing the right element wire
A buyer's guide to Kanthal A1 vs APM for your kiln.
Element tech specs
Full Kanthal A1 wire data, gauges, and resistivity.
How we wind elements
Our precision winding and resistance-testing process.
Not sure which wire your element needs?
Send us your kiln or furnace model and we'll recommend the right alloy and wind it to exact factory resistance — Kanthal A1 or APM, 48-hour turnaround, shipped across North America.
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