Balco 120 ohm

70% nickel, 30% iron

Balco has been used in thermometer bulbs and other applications that require high temperature coefficient of resistance. It has a temperature coefficient similar to nickel and twice the resistivity. The slope of the temperature resistance curve is almost straight from -70° to 600° C (-94° to 1,112° F). Balco conforms to the ASTM specification B-267, Class 8 Alloy.

Factors for determining resistance at various temperatures

Temperature Deg. C 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Temperature Deg. F 68 212 392 572 752 932 1112 1292
Factor 1 1.4 1.97 2.65 3.33 3.93 4.48 4.98

*Balco is a registered trademark of Carpenter Technology Corporation.

Other properties

  • Resistivity, ohms/cmf: 120
  • Specific Gravity: 8.46
  • Temperature Coefficient of resistance
    • ohms/ohm/Deg. (20°-100°C) +.0043
    • ohms/ohm/Deg. (25°-100°C) +.0045
  • Coefficient of linear expansion
    • in./in./Deg. (20°-100°C): 15.0 x (10)-6
  • Density (lbs/cubic in.): 0.305
  • Magnetic Attraction: Strong
  • Melting Point (approximate): 1,425°C (2,600°F)

Resistivity = 120 Ohms per circular mil foot at 20° C (68° F)
Weight = .305 lbs per cubic inch