noun constantan n. A copper-nickel alloy composed of approximately 55 per cent copper and 45 per cent nickel, with high electrical resistance and a low temperature coefficient; it is used as resistance wire and in thermocouples. Note: It has a resistance factor rho of 44.1 x 10^(-6) ohm-cm at 0° C, in comparison to the value 1.71 x 10^(-6) ohm-cm for pure copper and 7.8 x 10^(-6) ohm-cm for pure nickel. It is similar to the alloy Eureka, which has a rho = 47 x 10^(-6) ohm-cm..
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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