Precision Resistance Alloy Wires — Constantan, New Constantan & Manganin
Main Grades: Constantan (6J40 / CuNi44), New Constantan (6J11), Manganin series (6J8, 6J12 / CuMn12Ni, 6J13)
Precision resistance alloys are specialty alloys developed for high-accuracy electrical measurement, precise current limiting and standard impedance applications. Their core advantages are highly stable resistance, low temperature drift and low thermal EMF against copper, making them widely used in instruments, industrial control equipment, precision testing and standard resistors. By performance and application they fall into three families: the Manganin series (6J8, 6J12, 6J13), New Constantan (6J11) and Constantan (6J40).
Common characteristics: Room-temperature resistivity at 20℃ concentrates in 0.35~0.50μΩ·m with a narrow spread and good batch consistency, allowing precise resistance design. The temperature coefficient of resistance is low — down to ±(3~10)×10⁻⁶/℃ for the Manganin series — so resistance drifts only slightly with ambient temperature. Annealed material has good workability: it can be drawn into wire or rolled into strip and is easy to weld and form. Density ranges from 8.0~8.9g/cm³, with oxidation and corrosion resistance suited to normal industrial environments and minimal long-term resistance decay.
Grade selection: The Manganin series has extremely low thermal EMF against copper (≤1~2μV/℃) and a long-term service temperature of -50~120℃, suiting standard resistors, precision shunts, high-accuracy instruments and metrology equipment where stability is critical. New Constantan (6J11) performs close to Manganin, with a TCR of about ±10×10⁻⁶/℃ and thermal EMF vs copper ≤2μV/℃, balancing accuracy and cost for general precision resistors, industrial instruments and ordinary measurement/control circuits. Constantan (6J40) offers a wider service range (-40~350℃) with better heat and oxidation resistance than the Manganin series, but a wider TCR (±40×10⁻⁶/℃) and higher thermal EMF vs copper (≤45μV/℃); it is therefore not suited to high-accuracy, low-thermal-EMF applications and is used mainly for general resistors, rheostats, heating elements and industrial control loops.
Our precision resistance alloys are supplied as cold-drawn wire in diameters from 0.03mm to 10mm, or as flat/ribbon forms upon request. Each batch is tested for resistivity, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), and chemical composition to ensure consistent performance.
Technical Specifications
Key properties of Constantan and Manganin alloys
Alloy Name Properties |
6J40 Constantan |
6J11 New Constantan |
6J12 Manganin |
6J8 F1 Manganin |
6J13 F2 Manganin |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Chemical Components (%) |
Mn | 1.0~2.0 | 11.5~12.5 | 11.0~13.0 | 8.0~10.0 | 11.0~13.0 |
| Ni | 39.0~41.0 | - | 2.0~3.0 | - | 2.0~5.0 | |
| Cu | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | |
| Other | Al：2.5~4.5 Fe：1.0~1.6 |
Si：1~2 | ||||
| Operating temperature (℃) |
5~500 | 5~500 | 5~450 | 10~480 | 10~480 | |
| Density (g/cm3) |
8.88 | 8.0 | 8.44 | 8.7 | 8.4 | |
| Resistivity 20℃ (μΩ.m) |
0.48±0.03 | 0.49±0.03 | 0.47±0.03 | 0.35±0.05 | 0.44±0.04 | |
| Elongation (%,Φ>0.5,L0=200mm) |
≥15 | ≥15 | ≥15 | ≥15 | ≥15 | |
| TCR (α×10-6/℃) (Temperature ranges in parentheses) |
-40~+40 (0-50℃) |
40~+40 / -80~+80 (20-200℃ / 20-500℃) |
-3~+5 (5-45℃) |
-5~+10 (10-80℃) |
0~+40 (10-80℃) |
|
| μv
/℃(0～100℃) EMF vs Copper |
45 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
Data based on GB/T 6145-2010 and GB/T 6149-2010 standards. Contact us for detailed datasheets and custom requirements.
Applications
Strengths and applications of Constantan, New Constantan & Manganin
Precision Resistors
The Manganin series and New Constantan offer highly stable resistance and low temperature drift, ideal for high-precision resistors, standard resistors and metrology equipment in electronics and instrumentation.
Strain Gauges
Constantan (6J40) is the most widely used alloy for resistance strain gauges, with a stable gauge factor and predictable resistance change under mechanical deformation.
Shunt Resistors
Manganin’s low TCR and low thermal EMF against copper ensure accurate current measurement across temperature variations in power systems and battery management.
Measurement Instruments
The Manganin series’ ultra-low TCR and very low thermal EMF against copper make it ideal for laboratory-grade measurement equipment and calibration standards.