FeCrAl alloys are metal alloys with iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and aluminium (Al) as the main constituents and are popular in high temperature industrial applications due to their excellent heat and oxidation resistance. These alloys play a key role in areas such as electric heating elements and high-temperature heat-resistant structural materials.
Properties of FeCrAl alloys
High temperature strength: FeCrAl alloys maintain high strength and hardness at high temperatures.
Oxidation resistance: excellent oxidation resistance, capable of forming a stable protective layer of aluminium oxide in high temperature environments, preventing further oxidation of the substrate.
Corrosion resistance: Good corrosion resistance to many acidic and alkaline environments.
Resistance properties: high resistivity, suitable for electric heating elements.
Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: The low coefficient of thermal expansion makes it less deformed at high temperatures.
Classification of FeCrAl alloy
According to the different composition and use, FeCrAl alloy can be divided into the following categories:
Cr13Al4: Containing about 13% chromium and 4% aluminium, they are commonly used for medium temperature heating elements.
Cr21Al6: containing about 21% chromium and 6% aluminium, with high temperature resistance and oxidation resistance, commonly used in high temperature heating elements.
Cr23Al5: contains approximately 23% chromium and 5% aluminium, has excellent oxidation resistance and is suitable for very high temperature applications.
Applications of FeCrAl alloys
Due to their excellent properties, FeCrAl alloys have a wide range of applications in the following fields:
Electric heating elements: such as heating wires and resistance bands in electric furnaces, ovens and industrial heaters. FeCrAl alloys are commonly used in the manufacture of high temperature resistance wires, thermocouple protection tubes, etc.
Automotive industry: used for catalytic converter brackets and heating elements in automotive exhaust systems due to their high temperature strength and oxidation resistance.
Glass Manufacturing: Used in heating elements for glass melting furnaces and glass forming equipment due to its high temperature durability and oxidation resistance.
Metal heat treatment: Elements and accessories used in the manufacture of heat treatment furnaces, such as annealing and quenching furnaces.
Household appliances: heating elements in e.g. electric water heaters, toasters and irons, due to their high-temperature durability and long life.
Aerospace: for high-temperature structural materials, such as turbine engine components, due to their high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance.
Chemical processing: used in the manufacture of corrosion-resistant equipment, such as reactors, pipelines and heat exchangers, handling corrosive media.
Other applications
Electronic industry: used in the manufacture of resistors and other electronic components.
Power Generation Equipment: Used for heating elements in high temperature combustion equipment and boilers due to its high temperature resistance and oxidation resistance.
FeCrAl alloys have become important materials in many industrial sectors due to their excellent performance in high temperature and corrosive environments, especially in applications requiring high temperature stability and long life.
