Editing Nichrome (section)

== Uses ==
[[File:Braun silencio 1000 - case opened-3587.jpg|thumb|An electrical device using coils of wire for resistive heating (wrapped around sheets of [[mica]])]]
Because of its low cost of manufacture, strength, ductility, resistance to [[oxidation]], stability at high temperatures, and electrical resistance, nichrome is widely used in electric [[heating element]]s in applications such as hair dryers and heat guns. Typically, nichrome is wound in coils to a certain [[electrical resistance]], and when current is passed through it the [[Joule heating]] produces heat.

Nichrome is used in the [[explosive]]s and [[fireworks]] industry as a [[bridgewire]] in electric ignition systems, such as [[electric match]]es and [[model rocket]] igniters.

Industrial and hobby hot-wire foam cutters use nichrome wire.

Nichrome wire is commonly used in [[ceramic]] as an internal support structure to help some elements of [[clay]] sculptures hold their shape while they are still soft. Nichrome wire is used for its ability to withstand the high temperatures that occur when clay work is fired in a [[kiln]].

Nichrome wire can be used as an alternative to [[platinum]] wire for [[flame test]]ing by colouring the non-luminous part of a flame to detect [[cations]] such as sodium, potassium, copper, calcium, etc.

Other areas of usage include motorcycle [[muffler]]s, in certain areas in the microbiological lab apparatus, as the heating element of plastic extruders by the [[RepRap]] 3D printing community, in the solar panel deployment mechanism of spacecraft [[LightSail-A]], and as the heating coils of [[electronic cigarette]]s.

The [[alloy]] price is controlled by the more expensive [[nickel]] content. Distributor pricing is typically indexed to [[Nickel#Market value|market prices for nickel]].

[[Nickel allergy|Nickel allergies]] are common; while the wire in heating elements is rarely directly touched by users of devices, some uses of nichrome are, and a 1984 study by the University of Puerto Rico showed that 28.5% of people tested had some kind of allergic reaction following contact with nickel.<ref>Blanco-Dalmau, L., Carrasquillo-Alberty, H., & Silva-Parra, J. (1984). [http://www.laserandholisticdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/a-study-of-nickel-allergy.pdf A study of nickel allergy]. ''The Journal of prosthetic dentistry'', ''52''(1), 116-119.</ref>