KA1 (FeCrAl A1) Regular Round Wire | 0.28mm / 30 AWG | 307g Spool

KA1 Regular Round Wire

FeCrAl A1 wires can be produced with diameter of 0.11mm to 2mm. We offer these products in a variety of tensile strengths and spool sizes to suit your needs. It is possible to order wires that have been soft annealed or hard drawn.

Speciality Metals’ KA1 (FeCrAl A1) Regular Round Wire is a highly versatile and durable conductor of heat and electricity. Besides being flexible, this wire is also exceptionally strong and corrosion-resistant due to its FeCrAl composition. This product also can be easily recycled, making it a more environmentally friendly option. A wide range of applications, from heating elements to electrical resistors, can be served by the wire’s properties. Count on Speciality Metals for high-quality FeCrAl wire tailored to your specifications.

Our massive range of wire is courtesy of our relationship with our sister business – Crazy Wire Company.  The Crazy Wire Company offer unrivalled range of round, ribbon and flat wire in many spool size options.  Our businesses all operate out of the same facility, and our order fulfilment and service are second to none.

About The Wire

The specification of this wire spool is:

• Diameter – 0.28mm (280 Micron – 30 AWG) 
• Ohms – 22.75
• Weight – 307g (0.307kg)

We also are the exact suppliers for you because:

• FREE UK delivery on all orders
• Order dispatch within 24 hours of order
• Located in Warrington, UK which is the UK home of mesh and metals
• Our experienced staff are experts in the mesh market and care personally about your customer experience

Furthermore we stock a vast range of plain wire options that compliment our mesh range perfectly.

FAQs About This Product

How do I Cut and Shape KA1 FeCrAl Wire?

Cutting and shaping KA1 (FeCrAl) wire is relatively straightforward, but you’ll need the right tools and techniques to ensure the best results:

Cutting KA1 (FeCrAl) Wire:

1. Wire Cutters/Shears: Use wire cutters or shears appropriate for the gauge (thickness) of the wire you are working with. For thin gauges, standard wire cutters will suffice. For thicker gauges, you might need heavy-duty cutters.

2. Safety First: Always wear safety glasses when cutting wire to prevent any small pieces from flying into your eyes.

3. Clean Cuts: Make sure your wire cutters are sharp. Dull cutters can deform the wire or create jagged edges.

Shaping KA1 (FeCrAl) Wire:

1. Mandrels and Jigs: To create coils or specific shapes, you can wrap the wire around a mandrel (a cylindrical object) or use specialised jigs. This is especially common for vaping coil applications.

2. Pliers: Needle-nose pliers can help in bending and shaping the wire into desired forms, especially for intricate work.

3. Hammering: If you want to flatten parts of the wire or work-harden it, you can gently hammer it on a steel block or anvil. However, be cautious, as excessive hammering can make the wire too brittle.

4. Annealing: If the wire becomes too hard to shape due to work-hardening, you can anneal it (soften it) by heating it to a red-hot state and then allowing it to cool. This process will make the wire more malleable. Remember, if you’re working with wire intended for vaping or other sensitive applications, you should clean it thoroughly after annealing.

5. Consistent Coils: If you’re creating coils, especially for heating or vaping applications, ensure that they are consistent and free from overlaps or gaps. This uniformity ensures even heating and reduces the risk of hot spots.

6. Safety Measures: When shaping, especially if using tools or applying heat, always take safety precautions. Wear appropriate gloves to prevent burns or cuts and work in a well-ventilated area if you’re heating the wire.

7. Check the Final Shape: Before finalising your shape, especially in critical applications, double-check the form to ensure it meets your requirements. Ensure there are no sharp kinks or bends, as these can become weak points in the wire.

Is There Any Special Care or Maintenance Required for KA1 Wire?

1. Oxidation: One of the strengths of KA1 wire is its formation of a protective oxide layer when exposed to high temperatures. This layer helps prevent further oxidation. However, if the wire is subjected to environments with fluctuating temperatures or corrosive elements, it might need more frequent inspections.

2. Cleaning: In applications where purity is essential, like vaping, the wire should be cleaned thoroughly before use to remove any residues or contaminants. Soaking in isopropyl alcohol and scrubbing with a soft brush can help. Ensure the wire is fully dry before using.

3. Regular Inspection: For applications involving constant heating and cooling cycles, regular inspections are vital. Look for signs of wear, thinning, breakage, or uneven oxidation. Replace any sections of wire that show these signs.

4. Avoid Overheating: While KA1 can withstand high temperatures, consistently pushing it to its upper limits can decrease its lifespan. Operate within the recommended temperature ranges for your specific application.

5. Physical Damage: Avoid any unnecessary bending, pulling, or twisting of the wire, especially if it’s been installed in a permanent fixture. Frequent manipulation can weaken the wire or create stress points.

6. Storage: If you have spools of unused KA1 wire, store them in a cool, dry place. Keeping them away from corrosive agents, dust, and moisture will help maintain their integrity.

7. Electrical Checks: For applications where the wire’s resistance is critical, periodically check the wire’s resistance using an ohmmeter. Any drastic changes in resistance could indicate damage or wear.

8. Avoid Contamination: If soldering or welding the KA1 wire, ensure that the materials used are compatible and won’t introduce contaminants that might compromise the wire’s performance.

9. Vaping Specific: If you’re using KA1 wire for vaping coils, replace the coils regularly. Over time, gunk can build up on the coils, leading to reduced performance and potentially introducing harmful compounds when heated.

10. Corrosive Environments: While KA1 is resistant to many corrosive environments, it’s essential to ensure it’s not exposed to chemicals or conditions it might be sensitive to. Depending on the exact composition of the alloy and the environment, reactions can vary.

Are There Any Safety Concerns With Using KA1 Wire?

KA1 wire, like any metal wire used in heating applications, can become extremely hot during operation. Direct contact with a heated wire can result in severe burns. Additionally, if used in applications like vaping, it’s essential to ensure the wire is thoroughly cleaned before use to prevent the inhalation of any contaminants. When the wire is consistently pushed to its upper temperature limits, it might have a reduced lifespan, potentially leading to unexpected breaks or malfunctions. Furthermore, in any electrical application, there’s a risk of shorts or electrical failures if the wire or its connections are not appropriately managed. Overheating or improper use can also lead to degradation, causing the wire to release fumes or particles that might be harmful if inhaled or ingested. As with all electrical components, users should ensure proper installation, frequent inspection, and operate within the recommended parameters to ensure safety.

Can KA1 ReCrAl Wire be Reused?

KA1 (FeCrAl) wire’s potential for reuse largely depends on its prior application and current condition. For instance, when utilised as heating elements in appliances or furnaces, the wire boasts a long service life due to its high oxidation resistance. However, after numerous heating cycles, its resistance may alter, leading to potential failure. While it might be repurposed if there are no signs of degradation, it’s not the same for vaping coils. Coils in vaping devices, given health and safety concerns, shouldn’t be reused as they can accumulate residues and degrade over time. Additionally, if the wire has been used artistically or for crafts without exposure to stress or high temperatures, reshaping and reusing is feasible. Regardless of the scenario, any consideration of reuse should involve a thorough inspection for wear signs, appropriate cleaning, and an unwavering commitment to safety. In essence, while KA1 wire can be repurposed in some situations, its intended new application and its current state should guide the decision, always valuing safety and efficacy over reuse.

Can FeCrAl Wire be Recycled?

Yes, FeCrAl (KA1) wire can be recycled. FeCrAl is an alloy primarily consisting of iron, chromium, and aluminum, all of which are recyclable metals. Recycling facilities that handle ferrous and non-ferrous metals typically have processes in place to separate and reclaim the individual metals from alloys like FeCrAl. When the wire reaches the end of its useful life or is no longer needed, it can be gathered and sent to these facilities. Recycling FeCrAl not only conserves the valuable metals within the alloy but also reduces the environmental impact associated with mining and refining new materials. Moreover, as with many metals, recycling FeCrAl is generally more energy-efficient than producing new metal from raw ore. It’s essential, however, to ensure the wire is free from contaminants or other non-recyclable materials before submitting it for recycling. As the demand for sustainable practices grows, recycling FeCrAl and similar alloys contributes significantly to the broader goals of resource conservation and environmental protection.

Check out our blog discussing ‘Now Available: Stainless Steel Wire‘. It will prove a useful read to help you to make an informed decision on which material would work best for you. 

We are also very proud of our ever expanding YouTube channel. 

Our goal for our blogs, videos and help guides is to answer as many questions as possible to help to explain the possibilities of mesh to our customers.  Contact us today if you have any questions at all. We are always really keen to help in any way that we can.

We are also very proud of our highly popular eBay store, check us out there too.

Thank you for checking out our product.