Constantan & Manganin Precision Resistance Alloys
Also Known As: CuNi44 (Constantan), CuNi44Mn2 (Manganin)
Constantan and Manganin are copper-nickel-based alloys specifically designed for precision resistor applications. They feature extremely stable electrical resistance across a wide temperature range, making them the material of choice for high-accuracy resistors, strain gauges, and measurement instruments.
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 | |
Applications
Where Constantan & Manganin excel
Precision Resistors
Ultra-stable resistance values for high-precision resistor manufacturing in electronics and instrumentation.
Strain Gauges
Constantan is the most widely used alloy for strain gauges due to its predictable resistance change under mechanical deformation.
Shunt Resistors
Low TCR ensures accurate current measurement across temperature variations in power systems and battery management.
Measurement Instruments
Manganin’s ultra-low TCR makes it ideal for laboratory-grade measurement equipment and calibration standards.