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Constantan® Foil
Available Configurations
Properties common to all products in this list
| Thickness | Sides | Temper ⓘ | Other Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.005mm (foil) to 12.7mm (plate) | 10mm to 595mm | As rolled Annealed |
Light Tight (Pinhole Free) |
Need custom configurations? Please contact us.
Key Features
Constantan® Foil (Cu55/Ni45) is a precision cold-rolled form of the copper-nickel alloy known for its exceptional resistance stability over a wide temperature range and very low thermal EMF when paired with copper:
Exceptional Resistance Stability with Very Low Thermal EMF Against Copper
Comprising approximately 55% copper and 45% nickel, Constantan® Foil offers a unique balance of corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and predictable resistivity, making it highly valued in sensing and measurement technologies where stable, temperature-independent resistive behavior is essential.
Precision Cold-Rolled Form Integral to Strain Gauges & Precision Resistors
Its foil form is integral to strain gauges, precision resistors, and thermal compensation devices across aerospace, electronics, and materials testing sectors, where the precision cold-rolled construction provides the dimensional consistency required for accurate, reproducible sensing element fabrication.
Predictable Fatigue-Related Resistance Changes for Structural Monitoring
The foil's predictable fatigue-related resistance changes also enable its use in fatigue life gauges for structural monitoring, where the relationship between accumulated mechanical fatigue and measurable resistance change provides a quantifiable indicator of structural component condition.
Unique Balance of Corrosion Resistance, Mechanical Strength & Predictable Resistivity
Constantan foil delivers predictable resistivity and corrosion resistance for strain sensors, pressure diaphragms, thermal compensation layers, and fatigue monitoring devices — a combination of properties not readily available in alternative resistance alloy foils used in sensing and measurement applications.
Specific Applications in Pressure Sensor Diaphragms & Wheatstone Bridge Strain Transducers
Specific applications include pressure sensor diaphragms, Wheatstone bridge strain transducers, and resistance elements in precision instrumentation, where the foil's combination of mechanical strength and predictable resistive response under load supports accurate, reliable sensor performance.
Industrial Applications
Constantan® Foil is used across aerospace, electronics, and materials testing sectors wherever precision strain sensing, pressure measurement, or thermal compensation requires a stable, predictable resistance alloy foil:
- ✦ Pressure Sensor Diaphragms
- Used in pressure sensor diaphragms, where Constantan® Foil's predictable resistive response under mechanical load enables accurate translation of diaphragm deflection into a measurable electrical signal across the sensor's operating pressure range.
- ✦ Wheatstone Bridge Strain Transducers
- Applied in Wheatstone bridge strain transducers, where the foil's exceptional resistance stability and predictable strain-induced resistance change provide the accurate, reproducible strain measurement that Wheatstone bridge circuit designs depend upon.
- ✦ Resistance Elements in Precision Instrumentation
- Used as resistance elements in precision instrumentation across aerospace, electronics, and materials testing sectors, where Constantan® Foil's very low thermal EMF against copper and stable resistivity ensure measurement accuracy is maintained across varying operating temperatures.
- ✦ Fatigue Life Gauges for Structural Monitoring
- Used in fatigue life gauges for structural monitoring, where the foil's predictable fatigue-related resistance changes provide a quantifiable, measurable indicator of accumulated structural fatigue damage in monitored components.
- ✦ Thermal Compensation Layers in Sensing & Measurement Technologies
- Used as thermal compensation layers in sensing and measurement technologies, where Constantan® Foil's combination of corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and predictable resistivity delivers the stable performance required across strain sensors, pressure diaphragms, and fatigue monitoring devices.
Material Properties
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness - Brinell | 100-300 |
| Elongation at break( % ) | 45 |
| Modulus of elasticity( GPa ) | 162 |
| Izod impact strength( J m⁻¹ ) | 107 |
| Tensile strength( MPa ) | 400-590 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical resistivity( µOhmcm ) | 52 |
| Temperature coefficient( K⁻¹ ) | 0.00002+/- |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum use temperature in air( C ) | 500 |
| Melting point( C ) | 1225-1300 |
| Thermal conductivity( W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ ) | 19.5@23°C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion( x10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ ) | 14.9@20-100°C |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Density( gcm⁻³ ) | 8.9 |
Tolerances
| Thickness | <0.01mm | ±25% |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.01mm - 0.05mm | ±15% |
| Thickness | >0.05mm | ±10% |
| Linear dimension | <100mm | ±1mm |
| Linear dimension | >=100mm | +2 / -1% |