Manganin CuMn12Ni
Cu-Mn-Ni alloy, nominally 12 % Mn and 2 % Ni with copper the balance (Isabellenhütte CuMn12Ni)
Also known as EN 2.1362, Manganin
Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel alloy, nominally 12 % manganese and 2 % nickel with copper as the balance, sold by Isabellenhütte as MANGANIN (material code 2.1362).
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Stay constant
-10 to +10 ppm/K
Carry current in a standard
43 µΩ·cm
Stay in the heat
60 °C
Weight
8.4 g/cm3
Strength
390 MPa
Best for
Precision resistors, resistance standards and current shunts whose resistance must stay nearly constant near room temperature: about ±10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C
Weakest at
Heat and humidity: the supplier limits precision resistors to 60 °C and gives 140 °C as the maximum in air (Goodfellow prints 300 °C), and NIST shows that an unsealed winding drifts with atmospheric humidity.
Risk at a glance
- People Low. Metal classifications
- If it fails Moderate. Precision resistor run above 60 °C
- Corrosion Moderate. Unsealed manganin resistors changed resistance with atmospheric humidity; sealing them in a double-walled container fixed it.
Quick facts: CuMn12Ni
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.4 g/cm³ | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Tensile strength | 300 to 600 MPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Young's modulus | 124 to 159 GPa | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal conductivity | 22 W/(m·K) | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 14 to 19.5 ppm/K | 3 sourced values across conditions |
| Melting point | 960 °C | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Specific heat | 410 J/(kg·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Electrical resistivity | 4.3e-7 to 4.8e-7 Ω·m | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Maximum service temperature | 140 to 300 °C | 2 sourced values across conditions |
What is the density of Manganin (CuMn12Ni)?
Manganin (CuMn12Ni) has a density of 8.4 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the thermal conductivity of Manganin (CuMn12Ni)?
Manganin (CuMn12Ni) has a thermal conductivity of 22 W/(m·K). The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Manganin (CuMn12Ni)?
Manganin (CuMn12Ni) has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 14 to 19.5 ppm/K. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the melting point of Manganin (CuMn12Ni)?
Manganin (CuMn12Ni) has a melting point of 960 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the tensile strength of Manganin (CuMn12Ni)?
Manganin (CuMn12Ni) has a tensile strength of 300 to 600 MPa. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What are the other names and codes for Manganin (CuMn12Ni)?
Manganin (CuMn12Ni) is also written as EN 2.1362, Manganin. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Manganin (CuMn12Ni) used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Precision standard resistors (US legal ohm); Precision, standard and shunt resistors; Foil pressure gauges for shock-wave and high-pressure studies.
Why it exists
Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel alloy sold for resistance that barely changes near room temperature. Isabellenhütte gives a temperature coefficient of -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C and a resistivity of 43 µΩ·cm, and calls it the standard material for precision, standard and shunt resistors. It has a thermal emf of -0.6 µV/K against copper, so it adds little spurious voltage in DC circuits. NIST records that manganin resistors kept the US legal ohm from 1901 to 1990.
Where it's used
Resistance standards
NIST says manganin resistors maintained the US legal ohm from 1901 to 1990, and Thomas-type standards were the primary group from 1939.
Shunts and precision resistors
Isabellenhütte calls MANGANIN the standard material for precision, standard and shunt resistors.
Shock-wave gauges
Micro-Measurements says manganin foil gauges are used in shock-wave studies from 1 to over 400 kilobars, with 0.27 % per kilobar sensitivity.
Cryogenic wiring
A 1993 NASA report says manganin wires in Kapton ribbon were the conventional cryogenic link to infrared detectors, and that a Kapton-coated manganin interconnect has already flown (cited, not verified).
What it can do
Stay constant
-10 to +10 ppm/K
measured
Isabellenhütte gives -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C. Its sheet says the figure widens to ±50 ppm/K between 20 and 105 °C.
Carry current in a standard
43 µΩ·cm
measured
Resistivity is 43 µΩ·cm at both 20 °C and 100 °C in the Isabellenhütte reference table.
Stay in the heat
60 °C
measured
Isabellenhütte limits precision resistors to 60 °C and gives 140 °C as the maximum working temperature in air. Goodfellow gives 300 °C for its wire.
Weight
8.4 g/cm3
measured
Density is 8.4 g/cm3 in both the Isabellenhütte sheet and the Goodfellow wire page.
Strength
390 MPa
measured
Isabellenhütte gives 390 MPa tensile strength for annealed 2 mm wire. Goodfellow gives 300 to 600 MPa for wire.
How it compares
Two suppliers give the same density of 8.4 g/cm3 and the same melting point of 960 °C, but disagree on the maximum temperature in air (140 °C in the Isabellenhütte sheet, 300 °C at Goodfellow). Their thermal conductivities (22 W/(m·K) at 20 °C and at 23 °C) agree. The table rows are examples from these two datasheets, not a ranking.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | CuMn12Ni | CuNi | TC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||
| Melting point, MANGANIN | 960 °C2 | 1230 to 1290 °C | 1496 °C |
| Melting point, Manganin wireValue printed on a supplier product page | 960 °C | 1230 to 1290 °C | 1496 °C |
| Specific heat at 20 °C, MANGANIN | 0.41 J/(g·K)7 | 0.41 kJ/(kg·K) | 0.5 J/(g·K) |
| Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, MANGANIN | 22 W/(m·K)8 | 21.2 W/(m·K) | 81 W/(m·K) |
| Thermal conductivity, Manganin wireValue printed on a supplier product page | 22 W/(m·K) | 21.2 W/(m·K) | 81 W/(m·K) |
| Physical and electrical | |||
| Density at 20 °C, MANGANIN | 8.4 g/cm³1 | 8.9 g/cm³ | 7.874 g/cm³ |
| Density, Manganin wireValue printed on a supplier product page | 8.4 g/cm³ | 8.9 g/cm³ | 7.874 g/cm³ |
| Electrical resistivity at 20 °C, MANGANIN reference value | 43 µΩ·cm3 | 52 µΩ·cm | 12 µΩ·cm |
| Electrical resistivity at 100 °C, MANGANIN reference value | 43 µΩ·cm4 | 52 µΩ·cm | 12 µΩ·cm |
| Electrical resistivity, Manganin wireRange printed on a supplier product page | 43 to 48 µΩ·cm | 52 µΩ·cm | 12 µΩ·cm |
| Temperature behavior | |||
| Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, 20 to 50 °CRange printed in a manufacturer datasheet | -10 to 10 ppm/K5 | -80 to 40 ppm/K | -80 10-6/K |
| Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, 20 to 105 °C | 50 ppm/K6 | -80 to 40 ppm/K | -80 10-6/K |
| Other measurements | |||
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C, MANGANIN | 18 ppm/K9 | 14.5 ppm/K | 11.7 10-6/K |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 °C, MANGANIN | 19.5 ppm/K10 | 14.5 ppm/K | 11.7 10-6/K |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, Manganin wireRange printed on a supplier product page | 14 to 19 ppm/K | 14.5 ppm/K | 11.7 10-6/K |
| Thermoelectric emf against copper at 20 °C, MANGANIN | -0.6 µV/K11 | -40 µV/K | no data |
| Maximum working temperature in air, MANGANINValue printed in a manufacturer datasheet | 140 °C | 600 °C | 760 °C |
| Temperature limit for precision resistors, MANGANINValue printed in a manufacturer datasheet | 60 °C | 600 °C | 760 °C |
| Maximum use temperature in air, Manganin wireValue printed on a supplier product page | 300 °C12 | 600 °C | 760 °C |
| Tensile strength, annealed wire 2 mm diameter, MANGANIN | 390 MPa13 | 360 to 460 MPa | 370 MPa |
| Tensile strength, Manganin wireRange printed on a supplier product page | 300 to 600 MPa | 360 to 460 MPa | 370 MPa |
| Elongation, annealed wire over 1 mm diameter, MANGANIN | > 25 %14 | > 25 % | 28 % |
| Elongation at break, Manganin wireValue printed on a supplier product page | 50 % | > 25 % | 28 % |
| Modulus of elasticity, Manganin wireRange printed on a supplier product page | 124 to 159 GPa | 165 kN/mm2 | 117 GPa |
| Nominal pressure sensitivity, manganin foil gauge | 0.27 % per kilobar15 | no data | no data |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Precision and standard resistors with a temperature coefficient of -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C (Isabellenhütte).
- Current shunts, with a thermal emf of -0.6 µV/K against copper (Isabellenhütte).
- Foil pressure gauges for shock-wave studies, at 0.27 % per kilobar (Micro-Measurements).
Watch out for
- Heat: precision resistors are limited to 60 °C, and the supplier maximum in air differs between 140 °C and 300 °C.
- Humidity: unsealed windings drift with atmospheric humidity (NIST).
- Nickel: the nickel component is classified H317, H351 and H372 in its own SDS.
- Space: the 1993 NASA report cites a flown Kapton-coated manganin interconnect, but that reference was not opened.
Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel resistance alloy whose resistance barely changes near room temperature, which is why standards laboratories and shunt makers have used it for over a century. The datasheets limit precision resistors to 60 °C and give no drift data above that. Its nickel and manganese carry hazard classifications, and its space record rests on a 1993 NASA report that cites a flight without a date.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| EN | 2.1362 |
| Trade name | Manganin |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density at 20 °C, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | grade MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhüttetemperature 20 °C | — |
| 2 | Melting point, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | grade MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhüttepressure not stated | — |
| 3 | Electrical resistivity at 20 °C, MANGANIN reference value | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | temperature 20 °Cbasis reference value (first line of the resistance table; second line is CMF) | — |
| 4 | Electrical resistivity at 100 °C, MANGANIN reference value | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | temperature 100 °Cbasis reference value (first line of the resistance table) | — |
| 5 | Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, 20 to 50 °C | — | temperature 20 to 50 °Cunit in source 10-6/Kbasis parabolic R/T curve; the sheet says the value can be adjusted to a degree on request | — |
| 6 | Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, 20 to 105 °C | Value printed in a manufacturer datasheet, in the special remarks text | temperature 20 to 105 °Cunit in source ±50 ppm/Ksign printed as ±50, so the value is the magnitude of the spread | — |
| 7 | Specific heat at 20 °C, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | grade MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhüttetemperature 20 °C | — |
| 8 | Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | grade MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhüttetemperature 20 °C | — |
| 9 | Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | grade MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhüttetemperature 20 to 100 °C | — |
| 10 | Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 °C, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | grade MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhüttetemperature 20 to 400 °C | — |
| 11 | Thermoelectric emf against copper at 20 °C, MANGANIN | Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | reference emf against copper (Cu)temperature 20 °C | — |
| 12 | Maximum use temperature in air, Manganin wire | — | form wire (Goodfellow)atmosphere airnote conflicts with the 140 °C maximum working temperature in the Isabellenhütte sheet | — |
| 13 | Tensile strength, annealed wire 2 mm diameter, MANGANIN | Value printed in a manufacturer datasheet, footnote 4 | temper annealedform round wire, 2 mm diameter (footnote applies to this diameter)temperature 20 °C | — |
| 14 | Elongation, annealed wire over 1 mm diameter, MANGANIN | Minimum value printed in a manufacturer datasheet | temper annealedform round wire over 1 mm diametergauge length L0 = 100 mm | — |
| 15 | Nominal pressure sensitivity, manganin foil gauge | Nominal value printed in a manufacturer technical information sheet | form Micro-Measurements manganin foil gauge (not bulk alloy)basis nominal value for hydrostatic and shock pressure use | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Air at room temperature (oxide film) | low | A thin oxide film forms on the alloy in air and must be removed before it is worked.1 |
| Humid air around an unsealed wound resistor | moderate | Unsealed manganin resistors changed resistance with atmospheric humidity; sealing them in a double-walled container fixed it.2 |
| High temperature in air | moderate | The supplier limits differ: 140 °C maximum in air and 60 °C for precision resistors (Isabellenhütte), 300 °C for wire (Goodfellow).3 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air at room temperature (oxide film) | Isabellenhütte says the alloy can be soldered, but it develops a thin oxide film in air that must be removed before working. The sheet prints no oxidation rate or test data. | basis manufacturer statement, no rate printed |
| 2 | Humid air around an unsealed wound resistor | NIST says the early Reichsanstalt-type standards were not hermetically sealed and so changed resistance with atmospheric humidity. Rosa at NBS sealed the element in mineral oil in 1907, and Thomas's later design used a hermetically sealed double-walled enclosure. NIST prints no drift rate. | basis NIST historical description of resistor groups; no drift rate printed |
| 3 | High temperature in air | Isabellenhütte gives 140 °C as the maximum working temperature in air and 60 °C for precision resistors. Goodfellow prints 300 °C as the maximum use temperature in air for its wire. Neither sheet prints an oxidation rate or a drift figure above its limit. | basis two supplier statements that disagree; no test data printed |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The hazards come from the nickel and manganese in the alloy. The opened sources classify the metals, not the alloy, and the manganin supplier SDS was not read.
- Nickel
- The nickel wire SDS lists H317 (allergic skin reaction), H351 (suspected of causing cancer) and H372 (organ damage on prolonged exposure). Nickel is about 2 % of the alloy in the supplier composition.
- Manganese
- PubChem's entry for elemental manganese carries signal word Danger, with H228 (flammable solid), H319 (serious eye irritation) and H411 and H412 (aquatic toxicity).
If it fails
The sources give temperature limits and a humidity history, but no failure data beyond them.
- Above 60 °C
- Isabellenhütte says precision resistors should not exceed 60 °C. Above it, no drift data are printed.
- Humid air
- NIST found that unsealed early standards changed resistance with atmospheric humidity. Sealing fixed it.
Handling and storage
- Age the wound part
- Resistors made of MANGANIN must be aged to remove mechanical stress before use.
- Check the SDS
- Read the supplier SDS before handling. The nickel component carries H317, H351 and H372 in its own SDS.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Precision resistor run above 60 °Cmoderate severity | Use of a MANGANIN precision resistor above 60 °C, the limit the Isabellenhütte sheet givesThe sheet gives 60 °C as the limit for precision resistors but prints no drift or failure data above it, so the size of any error is not known from the sources read. |
| Humidity drift in an unsealed windingmoderate severity | A wound manganin resistor left open to humid airResistance changes with atmospheric humidity, as NIST found for the early unsealed standards, so a calibration drifts with the weather unless the element is sealed. |
| Unaged wound elementlow severity | A wound resistor put into use without ageingThe sheet says resistors made of MANGANIN must be aged to remove mechanical stress. The sheet prints no drift figure for an unaged part. |
Side effects on surrounding parts
| Affects | Effect |
|---|---|
| Cost of the alloy | Copper is the balance of the alloy (Isabellenhütte Rem.), so copper prices and copper supply carry most of the cost. USGS reports 2025 world copper mine output of 23,000 thousand t. |
Handling and storage
- The alloy can be soldered, but a thin oxide film forms in air and must be removed first. It is not suitable for dip-tinning, but it can be brazed and welded.
- Resistors made of MANGANIN must be aged to remove mechanical stress before use.
- Read the nickel wire SDS before handling the alloy: its nickel metal classification (H317, H351, H372) applies to the nickel component, and the supplier's own manganin SDS should be checked.
Mitigations
- NIST describes Thomas's design: wire-wound resistors annealed at high temperature to release internal strains, and sealed in a hermetic double-walled container. Those standards were the US legal ohm from 1939 until the quantum Hall effect replaced them.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Copper (the balance of the alloy), mine production 2025e
- Top producers (2025)
- Chile 23%, Congo (Kinshasa) 13.9%, Peru 11.7%, China 7.8%, Russia 5.7%
- Critical mineral lists
- US: listed
- Recycling
- USGS: old scrap provided about 30 % of the U.S. copper supply in 2025, and brass and wire-rod mills took about 80 % of the copper recovered from scrap.
- Substitutes
- USGS: aluminum substitutes for copper in electrical equipment and power cable.
Manganese (about 12 % of the alloy), mine production 2025e
- Top producers (2025)
- South Africa 38%, Gabon 25%, Ghana 10%, Australia 8%, India 3.95%
- Recycling
- USGS: manganese was recycled only incidentally, as a constituent of ferrous and nonferrous scrap. US net import reliance was 100 % of apparent consumption.
- Substitutes
- USGS: manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications.
Nickel (about 2 % of the alloy), mine production 2025e
- Top producers (2025)
- Indonesia 66.7%, Philippines 6.9%, Russia 5.1%, Canada 3.6%, New Caledonia 3.6%
- Recycling
- USGS: nickel recovered from scrap accounted for about 60 % of apparent consumption in 2025.
- Substitutes
- USGS: titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments; low-nickel and duplex stainless steels substitute for austenitic grades.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
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spore: profile
id: manganin
spore_version: 0.2
family: resistance-and-thermocouple-alloys
name: Manganin
abbreviation: CuMn12Ni
role: precision resistance alloy for standards, shunts and gauges
category: metals
type: copper-alloys
summary: |
Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel alloy, nominally 12 % manganese and 2 % nickel with copper as the balance, sold by Isabellenhütte as MANGANIN (material code 2.1362). Its resistivity is 43 µΩ·cm at 20 °C and its resistance changes by only -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C, which is why the maker calls it the standard material for precision, standard and shunt resistors. Edward Weston developed it in 1892 as a successor to constantan. From 1901 to 1990 the US legal ohm was kept by manganin resistance standards (NIST), and Micro-Measurements gives 0.27 % per kilobar for manganin foil pressure gauges used in shock-wave studies up to over 400 kilobars.
best_for: 'Precision resistors, resistance standards and current shunts whose resistance must stay nearly constant near room temperature: about ±10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C'
weakest_at: 'Heat and humidity: the supplier limits precision resistors to 60 °C and gives 140 °C as the maximum in air (Goodfellow prints 300 °C), and NIST shows that an unsealed winding drifts with atmospheric humidity.'
identity:
formula: Cu-Mn-Ni alloy, nominally 12 % Mn and 2 % Ni with copper the balance (Isabellenhütte CuMn12Ni); Goodfellow lists Cu 86 / Mn 12 / Ni 2
source: isa-datasheet
where: 'Chemical Composition table, mass components: Cu Rem., Mn 12, Ni 2 (average values). Goodfellow composition line on its product page gives the same nominal ratio.'
designations:
- system: EN
code: '2.1362'
source: isa-datasheet
where: Material Code field, 2.1362
- system: Trade name
code: Manganin
source: isa-datasheet
where: Brand Name field, MANGANIN, a trademark of Isabellenhütte Heusler
tags:
environments: []
applications:
- electronics-and-chips
- thermal-control
properties:
- benchmark: density
label: Density at 20 °C, MANGANIN
value: 8.4
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
grade: MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhütte
temperature: 20 °C
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, Density at 20 °C column
- benchmark: density
label: Density, Manganin wire
value: 8.4
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow Manganin wire product page)
temperature: not stated
method: Value printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Material Properties, Physical Properties, Density
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting point, MANGANIN
value: 960
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
grade: MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhütte
pressure: not stated
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, Melting Point column
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting point, Manganin wire
value: 960
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
pressure: not stated
method: Value printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Thermal Properties, Melting point
- benchmark: electrical_resistivity
label: Electrical resistivity at 20 °C, MANGANIN reference value
value: 43
unit: µΩ·cm
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 20 °C
basis: reference value (first line of the resistance table; second line is CMF)
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Electrical Resistance (Reference Values) table, 20 °C column, first line (µΩ x cm)
- benchmark: electrical_resistivity
label: Electrical resistivity at 100 °C, MANGANIN reference value
value: 43
unit: µΩ·cm
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 100 °C
basis: reference value (first line of the resistance table)
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Electrical Resistance (Reference Values) table, 100 °C column, first line
- benchmark: electrical_resistivity
label: Electrical resistivity, Manganin wire
value: 43
value_high: 48
bound: range
unit: µΩ·cm
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
temperature: not stated
method: Range printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Electrical Properties, Electrical resistivity
- benchmark: temperature_coefficient_of_resistance
label: Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, 20 to 50 °C
value: -10
value_high: 10
bound: range
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 20 to 50 °C
unit_in_source: 10-6/K
basis: parabolic R/T curve; the sheet says the value can be adjusted to a degree on request
method: Range printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Electrical Resistance (Reference Values) table, first column, temperature coefficient between 20 °C and 50 °C
- benchmark: temperature_coefficient_of_resistance
label: Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance, 20 to 105 °C
value: 50
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 20 to 105 °C
unit_in_source: ±50 ppm/K
sign: printed as ±50, so the value is the magnitude of the spread
method: Value printed in a manufacturer datasheet, in the special remarks text
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Notes on Treatment, Special Remarks on the Temperature Coefficient, sentence on 20 to 105 °C
- benchmark: specific_heat
label: Specific heat at 20 °C, MANGANIN
value: 0.41
unit: J/(g·K)
scope: material
conditions:
grade: MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhütte
temperature: 20 °C
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, Specific heat at 20 °C column
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity at 20 °C, MANGANIN
value: 22
unit: W/(m·K)
scope: material
conditions:
grade: MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhütte
temperature: 20 °C
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, Thermal conductivity at 20 °C column
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, Manganin wire
value: 22
unit: W/(m·K)
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
temperature: 23 °C
method: Value printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Thermal Properties, Thermal conductivity (printed as 22@23°C)
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C, MANGANIN
value: 18
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhütte
temperature: 20 to 100 °C
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, average linear thermal expansion coefficient, 20 °C to 100 °C column
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 °C, MANGANIN
value: 19.5
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: MANGANIN (CuMn12Ni), Isabellenhütte
temperature: 20 to 400 °C
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, average linear thermal expansion coefficient, 20 °C to 400 °C column
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, Manganin wire
value: 14
value_high: 19
bound: range
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
temperature: 20 to 100 °C
method: Range printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Thermal Properties, Coefficient of thermal expansion (printed as 14-19@20-100°C)
- benchmark: thermoelectric_emf_vs_copper
label: Thermoelectric emf against copper at 20 °C, MANGANIN
value: -0.6
unit: µV/K
scope: material
conditions:
reference: emf against copper (Cu)
temperature: 20 °C
method: Reference value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Physical Characteristics table, Thermal EMF against copper at 20 °C column
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Maximum working temperature in air, MANGANIN
value: 140
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
atmosphere: air
basis: maximum working temperature in air, as stated by the maker
method: Value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Features and Application Notes, maximum working temperature in air
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Temperature limit for precision resistors, MANGANIN
value: 60
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
use: precision resistors with the highest requirements
basis: the sheet says the temperature should not exceed 60 °C for precision resistors
method: Value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Features and Application Notes, sentence beginning When used for precision resistors
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Maximum use temperature in air, Manganin wire
value: 300
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
atmosphere: air
note: conflicts with the 140 °C maximum working temperature in the Isabellenhütte sheet
method: Value printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Thermal Properties, Maximum use temperature in air
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, annealed wire 2 mm diameter, MANGANIN
value: 390
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: annealed
form: round wire, 2 mm diameter (footnote applies to this diameter)
temperature: 20 °C
method: Value printed in a manufacturer datasheet, footnote 4
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Strength Properties at 20 °C in annealed condition table, Tensile strength, footnote 4
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, Manganin wire
value: 300
value_high: 600
bound: range
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
temper: not stated
method: Range printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile strength
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation, annealed wire over 1 mm diameter, MANGANIN
value: 25
bound: lower
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
temper: annealed
form: round wire over 1 mm diameter
gauge_length: L0 = 100 mm
method: Minimum value printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: isa-datasheet
where: Strength Properties table, Elongation (L0 = 100 mm), column over 1 mm (printed as 25 or more)
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation at break, Manganin wire
value: 50
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
temper: not stated
method: Value printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Mechanical Properties, Elongation at break
- benchmark: elastic_modulus
label: Modulus of elasticity, Manganin wire
value: 124
value_high: 159
bound: range
unit: GPa
scope: material
conditions:
form: wire (Goodfellow)
temperature: not stated
method: Range printed on a supplier product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-wire
where: Mechanical Properties, Modulus of elasticity
- benchmark: pressure_sensitivity_of_resistance
label: Nominal pressure sensitivity, manganin foil gauge
value: 0.27
unit: '% per kilobar'
scope: material
conditions:
form: Micro-Measurements manganin foil gauge (not bulk alloy)
basis: nominal value for hydrostatic and shock pressure use
method: Nominal value printed in a manufacturer technical information sheet
status: ground
source: vishay-vpg
where: Technical Information, first column, sentence Nominal pressure sensitivity of Micro-Measurements manganin foil gages is 0.27% per kilobar
corrosion:
- environment: Air at room temperature (oxide film)
headline: A thin oxide film forms on the alloy in air and must be removed before it is worked.
effect: Isabellenhütte says the alloy can be soldered, but it develops a thin oxide film in air that must be removed before working. The sheet prints no oxidation rate or test data.
rating: low
conditions:
basis: manufacturer statement, no rate printed
source: isa-datasheet
where: Notes on Treatment, first paragraph
- environment: Humid air around an unsealed wound resistor
headline: Unsealed manganin resistors changed resistance with atmospheric humidity; sealing them in a double-walled container fixed it.
effect: NIST says the early Reichsanstalt-type standards were not hermetically sealed and so changed resistance with atmospheric humidity. Rosa at NBS sealed the element in mineral oil in 1907, and Thomas's later design used a hermetically sealed double-walled enclosure. NIST prints no drift rate.
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: NIST historical description of resistor groups; no drift rate printed
source: nist-sp958
where: Opening pages, paragraph on the 1901 to 1909 Reichsanstalt-type group, and the description of Thomas-type resistors
- environment: High temperature in air
headline: 'The supplier limits differ: 140 °C maximum in air and 60 °C for precision resistors (Isabellenhütte), 300 °C for wire (Goodfellow).'
effect: Isabellenhütte gives 140 °C as the maximum working temperature in air and 60 °C for precision resistors. Goodfellow prints 300 °C as the maximum use temperature in air for its wire. Neither sheet prints an oxidation rate or a drift figure above its limit.
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: two supplier statements that disagree; no test data printed
source: isa-datasheet
where: Features and Application Notes, maximum working temperature in air and precision resistor sentence
risks:
hazards:
- text: Nickel is about 2 % of the alloy in the Isabellenhütte composition (3.7 % in the Wikipedia description). The nickel wire safety data sheet (NextSDS, CAS 7440-02-0, EC 231-111-4) lists H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction, H351 Suspected of causing cancer and H372 Causes damage to the lung, the kidneys and the liver through prolonged or repeated exposure, with signal word danger. That is the nickel metal classification; the manganin supplier SDS was not opened.
ghs:
- H317
- H351
- H372
source: nextsds-ni
where: Hazard Classifications and Hazard Statements of the nickel wire SDS page
- text: PubChem's aggregated GHS entry for elemental manganese (CID 23930) has signal word Danger, with hazard codes H228 flammable solid (11.6 % of notifying companies), H319 causes serious eye irritation (14.8 %), and H411 and H412 for aquatic toxicity (about 11 % each). 46.1 % of 3101 company reports say the substance does not meet GHS criteria. These codes are for the metal, not the alloy.
ghs:
- H228
- H319
- H411
- H412
source: pubchem-mn
where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification (Manganese, CID 23930)
failure_risks:
- mode: Precision resistor run above 60 °C
trigger: Use of a MANGANIN precision resistor above 60 °C, the limit the Isabellenhütte sheet gives
consequence: The sheet gives 60 °C as the limit for precision resistors but prints no drift or failure data above it, so the size of any error is not known from the sources read.
severity: moderate
source: isa-datasheet
where: Features and Application Notes, sentence beginning When used for precision resistors
- mode: Humidity drift in an unsealed winding
trigger: A wound manganin resistor left open to humid air
consequence: Resistance changes with atmospheric humidity, as NIST found for the early unsealed standards, so a calibration drifts with the weather unless the element is sealed.
severity: moderate
source: nist-sp958
where: Opening pages, paragraph on the 1901 to 1909 Reichsanstalt-type group
- mode: Unaged wound element
trigger: A wound resistor put into use without ageing
consequence: The sheet says resistors made of MANGANIN must be aged to remove mechanical stress. The sheet prints no drift figure for an unaged part.
severity: low
source: isa-datasheet
where: Notes on Treatment, last sentence of the first column
side_effects:
- text: Copper is the balance of the alloy (Isabellenhütte Rem.), so copper prices and copper supply carry most of the cost. USGS reports 2025 world copper mine output of 23,000 thousand t.
affects: Cost of the alloy
source: usgs-cu-2026
where: World Mine and Refinery Production table, mine production 2025e, world total
handling:
- text: The alloy can be soldered, but a thin oxide film forms in air and must be removed first. It is not suitable for dip-tinning, but it can be brazed and welded.
source: isa-datasheet
where: Notes on Treatment
- text: Resistors made of MANGANIN must be aged to remove mechanical stress before use.
source: isa-datasheet
where: Notes on Treatment, last sentence of the first column
- text: 'Read the nickel wire SDS before handling the alloy: its nickel metal classification (H317, H351, H372) applies to the nickel component, and the supplier''s own manganin SDS should be checked.'
source: nextsds-ni
where: Hazard Statements section
mitigations:
- text: 'NIST describes Thomas''s design: wire-wound resistors annealed at high temperature to release internal strains, and sealed in a hermetic double-walled container. Those standards were the US legal ohm from 1939 until the quantum Hall effect replaced them.'
source: nist-sp958
where: Description of the Thomas standard; the paragraph on the group used to maintain the U.S. Legal Ohm from 1939
uses:
- application: electronics-and-chips
device: Precision standard resistors (US legal ohm)
example: From 1901 to 1990 the US legal ohm was maintained at 1 ohm by manganin resistance standards, and Thomas-type standards were the primary group from 1939 until the quantum Hall effect replaced them.
source: nist-sp958
where: Opening text, paragraph beginning From 1901 to 1990, the U.S. Legal Ohm
- application: electronics-and-chips
device: Precision, standard and shunt resistors
example: Isabellenhütte calls MANGANIN the standard material for precision, standard and shunt resistors, because of its low temperature coefficient and low thermal emf against copper.
source: isa-datasheet
where: Features and Application Notes, first paragraph
- application: electronics-and-chips
device: Foil pressure gauges for shock-wave and high-pressure studies
example: Micro-Measurements (Vishay) says manganin gauges are used extensively in shock-wave studies from 1 to over 400 kilobars. The foil gauge is bonded between two plates and has a nominal sensitivity of 0.27 % per kilobar.
source: vishay-vpg
where: Manganin Pressure Sensor sheet, first column, and Technical Information
- application: thermal-control
device: Cryogenic wiring from warm electronics to cold infrared detectors
example: 'NASA CR-4477 (1993) says the conventional link uses 158 #40 AWG manganin wires in Kapton ribbon, which gives 33 % of the instrument heat load on the liquid cryogen in the SAFIRE design. It also says Kapton-coated manganin has already been used as an interconnect in space flight (its reference 7, a COBE performance review, not opened).'
source: nasa-cr4477
where: Introduction, item 1; text beside Table 1 on manganin in space flight
supply:
- subject: Copper (the balance of the alloy), mine production 2025e
producers:
- country: Chile
share_percent: 23
year: 2025
- country: Congo (Kinshasa)
share_percent: 13.9
year: 2025
- country: Peru
share_percent: 11.7
year: 2025
- country: China
share_percent: 7.8
year: 2025
- country: Russia
share_percent: 5.7
year: 2025
critical_lists:
- list: U.S. Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals (copper added, per the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026)
listed: true
recycling: 'USGS: old scrap provided about 30 % of the U.S. copper supply in 2025, and brass and wire-rod mills took about 80 % of the copper recovered from scrap.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: aluminum substitutes for copper in electrical equipment and power cable.'
source: usgs-cu-2026
where: World Mine and Refinery Production table, mine production 2025e (world total 23,000 thousand t). Shares calculated from the printed values 5,300, 3,200, 2,700, 1,800 and 1,300 over 23,000. Critical list paragraph, Recycling and Substitutes sections.
- subject: Manganese (about 12 % of the alloy), mine production 2025e
producers:
- country: South Africa
share_percent: 38
year: 2025
- country: Gabon
share_percent: 25
year: 2025
- country: Ghana
share_percent: 10
year: 2025
- country: Australia
share_percent: 8
year: 2025
- country: India
share_percent: 3.95
year: 2025
recycling: 'USGS: manganese was recycled only incidentally, as a constituent of ferrous and nonferrous scrap. US net import reliance was 100 % of apparent consumption.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications.'
source: usgs-mn-2026
where: World Mine Production (manganese content) and Reserves table, 2025e column (world total 20,000 t, rounded). Shares calculated from the printed values 7,600, 5,000, 2,000, 1,600 and 790 over 20,000. Recycling, Import reliance and Substitutes paragraphs.
- subject: Nickel (about 2 % of the alloy), mine production 2025e
producers:
- country: Indonesia
share_percent: 66.7
year: 2025
- country: Philippines
share_percent: 6.9
year: 2025
- country: Russia
share_percent: 5.1
year: 2025
- country: Canada
share_percent: 3.6
year: 2025
- country: New Caledonia
share_percent: 3.6
year: 2025
recycling: 'USGS: nickel recovered from scrap accounted for about 60 % of apparent consumption in 2025.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments; low-nickel and duplex stainless steels substitute for austenitic grades.'
source: usgs-ni-2026
where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e column (world total 3,900,000 t). Shares calculated from the printed values 2,600,000, 270,000, 200,000 and 140,000 (twice) over 3,900,000. Recycling and Substitutes paragraphs.
documents:
- title: Isabellenhütte, MANGANIN data sheet, material code 2.1362, Issue 220606 (copy hosted by Jefferson Lab)
type: datasheet
url: https://hallaweb.jlab.org/tech/Detectors/public_html/manuals/data_sheets-manuals/G-I/I/ISABELLENHUETTE/MANGANIN-ISABELLENHUETTE-R.pdf
- title: Goodfellow, Manganin wire (cu06-wr-000150), product page with material properties
type: datasheet
url: https://www.goodfellow.com/p/cu06-wr-000150/manganin-wire
- title: Micro-Measurements (Vishay), Special Use Sensors, Manganin Pressure Sensor data sheet
type: datasheet
url: https://xdevs.com/doc/VPG/manganin.pdf
- title: NIST Special Publication 958, Stability of Double-Walled Manganin Resistors (Thomas)
type: report
url: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/sp958-lide/063-065.pdf
- title: NASA Contractor Report 4477, A Comparison of Superconductor and Manganin Technology for Electronic Links Used in Space Mission Applications (1993)
type: report
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930006398/downloads/19930006398.pdf
year: 1993
- title: NextSDS, Nickel wire safety data sheet, CAS 7440-02-0, hazard classification
type: sds
url: https://nextsds.com/sds/en/281331501257788/nickel-wire
- title: PubChem, Manganese (CID 23930), Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Manganese
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-copper.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Manganese'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-manganese.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-nickel.pdf
year: 2026
gaps:
- 'No media entry: no licensed picture of a manganin resistor or gauge was checked in this run, so none is listed.'
- 'Melting point: Wikipedia gives 1020 °C, but Isabellenhütte and Goodfellow both print 960 °C. Wikipedia is limited to composition and history under the brief, so 1020 °C is not entered.'
- 'Maximum temperature in air conflicts: Isabellenhütte prints 140 °C (and 60 °C for precision resistors), Goodfellow prints 300 °C for its wire. Both are entered with their own source and the conflict is not resolved.'
- 'Nickel content conflicts: Isabellenhütte and Goodfellow give 2 %, Wikipedia gives 3.7 % (its general description) and a Cu84/Mn12/Ni4 table from the CRC Handbook. Only the supplier figure is used for the property and supply rows; the Wikipedia figure appears in the recipe text.'
- Kanthal Manganina 38 and 43 datasheets were found, but their tables did not come through as text, so no values are entered from them. They are not confirmed as the same grade, so they are not listed as designations.
- 'Goodfellow temperature coefficient (printed as 0.00001 K⁻¹) is not entered: the range is not stated and the conversion to ppm/K was not confirmed in this run.'
- 'Isabellenhütte modulus of elasticity (1.3 × 10^5 MPa, footnote 3) and pressure coefficient of electrical resistance (2.3 × 10^-7 cm²/N, footnote 3) are not entered: the printed exponent form does not match the value check. The Goodfellow modulus range is used instead.'
- 'Yield strength and hardness: no yield value and no hardness value that matches a canonical name were read for manganin, so neither is entered.'
- 'Non-canonical property names: temperature_coefficient_of_resistance, pressure_sensitivity_of_resistance and thermoelectric_emf_vs_copper are not in the canonical list and need adding to it.'
- 'Designations: no UNS number was printed in any source read, so none is listed. The Isabellenhütte material code 2.1362 and the trade name MANGANIN are the only designations entered.'
- Manganese critical-mineral status is not stated in the USGS Manganese summary read in this run, so no critical-list entry is given for manganese. Copper is listed (USGS, 2025 final list).
- 'Occupational exposure limits for manganese (NIOSH, OSHA): the NIOSH pocket guide returned access denied, so no exposure limit is entered.'
- Supplier SDS for manganin wire was not opened. The hazard entries use the nickel wire SDS and PubChem's classification for elemental manganese; neither is a classification of the alloy itself.
- 'Space use: NASA CR-4477 says Kapton-coated manganin has flown as an interconnect (its reference 7, a COBE performance review). That reference was not opened, so the flight is cited, not verified, and no flight dates are given.'
- 'Shock-wave use: the Micro-Measurements sheet is the only source read for the pressure gauge. The Fraunhofer calibration paper and G. I. Kanel''s shock-physics chapter were seen in search results only and not opened.'
- Vacuum, outgassing, atomic-oxygen, radiation and cold-welding data for manganin were not found in any source read.
- No corrosion rate, oxidation rate or humidity drift figure was printed in any source read; the corrosion rows give qualitative statements only.
- Supply shares are calculated from printed USGS values, not printed as percentages in the sources.
- The Isabellenhütte web product page returned 404 in the browser, so the datasheet used is the Issue 220606 copy hosted by Jefferson Lab.
- Wikipedia was used only for composition, the 1892 date and the Weston history. Its infobox numbers and its manganin uses were not used as property or use values.
sources:
isa-datasheet:
title: Isabellenhütte, MANGANIN data sheet, material code 2.1362, Issue 220606 (copy hosted by Jefferson Lab)
url: https://hallaweb.jlab.org/tech/Detectors/public_html/manuals/data_sheets-manuals/G-I/I/ISABELLENHUETTE/MANGANIN-ISABELLENHUETTE-R.pdf
kind: datasheet
license: Manufacturer datasheet (cited, not reproduced)
goodfellow-wire:
title: Goodfellow, Manganin wire (cu06-wr-000150), product page with material properties
url: https://www.goodfellow.com/p/cu06-wr-000150/manganin-wire
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier product page (cited, not reproduced)
vishay-vpg:
title: Micro-Measurements (Vishay), Special Use Sensors, Manganin Pressure Sensor data sheet
url: https://xdevs.com/doc/VPG/manganin.pdf
kind: datasheet
license: Manufacturer data sheet (cited, not reproduced)
nist-sp958:
title: NIST Special Publication 958, Stability of Double-Walled Manganin Resistors (Thomas)
url: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/sp958-lide/063-065.pdf
kind: report
license: US government publication (cited, not reproduced)
nasa-cr4477:
title: NASA Contractor Report 4477, A Comparison of Superconductor and Manganin Technology for Electronic Links Used in Space Mission Applications (1993)
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930006398/downloads/19930006398.pdf
kind: report
year: 1993
license: public domain (NASA)
nextsds-ni:
title: NextSDS, Nickel wire safety data sheet, CAS 7440-02-0, hazard classification
url: https://nextsds.com/sds/en/281331501257788/nickel-wire
kind: datasheet
license: SDS summary page (cited, not reproduced)
pubchem-mn:
title: PubChem, Manganese (CID 23930), Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Manganese
kind: database
license: public domain (NIH PubChem)
usgs-cu-2026:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Copper
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-copper.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
usgs-mn-2026:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Manganese
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-manganese.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
usgs-ni-2026:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Nickel
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-nickel.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
wikipedia-manganin:
title: Wikipedia, Manganin (composition, 1892 development and history only)
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manganin
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 25
unreachable: 2
caveats: 4
note: 'Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the Isabellenhütte datasheet copy (Jefferson Lab), the Goodfellow product page, the Micro-Measurements sheet, NIST SP 958, NASA CR-4477 and USGS MCS 2026. Unreachable: the Isabellenhütte web product page (404) and the Kanthal Manganina pages (tables not extracted). Caveats: the 140 °C and 300 °C maximum temperatures conflict; the nickel share differs between suppliers and Wikipedia; the space flight is cited from a NASA report reference that was not opened; the hazard codes are for the nickel metal and the manganese element, not the alloy.'
story:
risk_groups:
- title: For people
lead: The hazards come from the nickel and manganese in the alloy. The opened sources classify the metals, not the alloy, and the manganin supplier SDS was not read.
level: 1
verdict: Metal classifications
points:
- label: Nickel
line: The nickel wire SDS lists H317 (allergic skin reaction), H351 (suspected of causing cancer) and H372 (organ damage on prolonged exposure). Nickel is about 2 % of the alloy in the supplier composition.
- label: Manganese
line: PubChem's entry for elemental manganese carries signal word Danger, with H228 (flammable solid), H319 (serious eye irritation) and H411 and H412 (aquatic toxicity).
- title: If it fails
lead: The sources give temperature limits and a humidity history, but no failure data beyond them.
points:
- label: Above 60 °C
line: Isabellenhütte says precision resistors should not exceed 60 °C. Above it, no drift data are printed.
- label: Humid air
line: NIST found that unsealed early standards changed resistance with atmospheric humidity. Sealing fixed it.
- title: Handling and storage
points:
- label: Age the wound part
line: Resistors made of MANGANIN must be aged to remove mechanical stress before use.
- label: Check the SDS
line: Read the supplier SDS before handling. The nickel component carries H317, H351 and H372 in its own SDS.
why: Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel alloy sold for resistance that barely changes near room temperature. Isabellenhütte gives a temperature coefficient of -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C and a resistivity of 43 µΩ·cm, and calls it the standard material for precision, standard and shunt resistors. It has a thermal emf of -0.6 µV/K against copper, so it adds little spurious voltage in DC circuits. NIST records that manganin resistors kept the US legal ohm from 1901 to 1990.
uses:
- where: Resistance standards
line: NIST says manganin resistors maintained the US legal ohm from 1901 to 1990, and Thomas-type standards were the primary group from 1939.
- where: Shunts and precision resistors
line: Isabellenhütte calls MANGANIN the standard material for precision, standard and shunt resistors.
- where: Shock-wave gauges
line: Micro-Measurements says manganin foil gauges are used in shock-wave studies from 1 to over 400 kilobars, with 0.27 % per kilobar sensitivity.
- where: Cryogenic wiring
line: A 1993 NASA report says manganin wires in Kapton ribbon were the conventional cryogenic link to infrared detectors, and that a Kapton-coated manganin interconnect has already flown (cited, not verified).
can_do:
- label: Stay constant
value: '-10 to +10 ppm/K'
benchmark: temperature_coefficient_of_resistance
line: Isabellenhütte gives -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C. Its sheet says the figure widens to ±50 ppm/K between 20 and 105 °C.
- label: Carry current in a standard
value: 43 µΩ·cm
benchmark: electrical_resistivity
line: Resistivity is 43 µΩ·cm at both 20 °C and 100 °C in the Isabellenhütte reference table.
- label: Stay in the heat
value: 60 °C
benchmark: max_service_temp
line: Isabellenhütte limits precision resistors to 60 °C and gives 140 °C as the maximum working temperature in air. Goodfellow gives 300 °C for its wire.
- label: Weight
value: 8.4 g/cm3
benchmark: density
line: Density is 8.4 g/cm3 in both the Isabellenhütte sheet and the Goodfellow wire page.
- label: Strength
value: 390 MPa
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
line: Isabellenhütte gives 390 MPa tensile strength for annealed 2 mm wire. Goodfellow gives 300 to 600 MPa for wire.
compare: Two suppliers give the same density of 8.4 g/cm3 and the same melting point of 960 °C, but disagree on the maximum temperature in air (140 °C in the Isabellenhütte sheet, 300 °C at Goodfellow). Their thermal conductivities (22 W/(m·K) at 20 °C and at 23 °C) agree. The table rows are examples from these two datasheets, not a ranking.
compare_rows:
- label: Density
benchmark: density
- label: Temperature coefficient
benchmark: temperature_coefficient_of_resistance
- label: Maximum temperature
benchmark: max_service_temp
handling:
- Age wound resistors to remove mechanical stress before use (Isabellenhütte).
- Remove the oxide film before soldering, and do not dip-tin the alloy (Isabellenhütte).
- Keep precision resistors at or below 60 °C (Isabellenhütte).
- Read the supplier SDS before handling, since the nickel component carries H317, H351 and H372.
good_for:
- Precision and standard resistors with a temperature coefficient of -10 to +10 ppm/K between 20 and 50 °C (Isabellenhütte).
- Current shunts, with a thermal emf of -0.6 µV/K against copper (Isabellenhütte).
- Foil pressure gauges for shock-wave studies, at 0.27 % per kilobar (Micro-Measurements).
watch_out:
- 'Heat: precision resistors are limited to 60 °C, and the supplier maximum in air differs between 140 °C and 300 °C.'
- 'Humidity: unsealed windings drift with atmospheric humidity (NIST).'
- 'Nickel: the nickel component is classified H317, H351 and H372 in its own SDS.'
- 'Space: the 1993 NASA report cites a flown Kapton-coated manganin interconnect, but that reference was not opened.'
verdict: Manganin is a copper-manganese-nickel resistance alloy whose resistance barely changes near room temperature, which is why standards laboratories and shunt makers have used it for over a century. The datasheets limit precision resistors to 60 °C and give no drift data above that. Its nickel and manganese carry hazard classifications, and its space record rests on a 1993 NASA report that cites a flight without a date.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.