constantan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical
Quick answer
What does “constantan” mean?
A copper-nickel alloy with high electrical resistivity and minimal change in resistivity with temperature change.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A copper-nickel alloy with high electrical resistivity and minimal change in resistivity with temperature change.
A proprietary alloy used primarily in electrical components like strain gauges and thermocouples due to its stable electrical properties across a temperature range.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. Both varieties use the term identically in technical contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language but identical, specialised frequency in relevant engineering/technical fields in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “constantan” in a Sentence
[material] made of constantan[component] uses constantan wire[thermocouple] type T (copper-constantan)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “constantan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The constantan wire exhibited minimal drift.
- A copper-constantan junction is standard for type T thermocouples.
American English
- The constantan element maintained a stable resistance.
- We need a constantan alloy for the strain gauge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in procurement or specification documents for electrical components.
Academic
Common in materials science, electrical engineering, and physics papers and textbooks discussing alloy properties or sensor design.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary register. Used in datasheets, engineering schematics, laboratory reports, and technical manuals for instruments using thermocouples or precision resistors.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “constantan”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “constantan”
- Misspelling as 'constantin', 'constanten', or 'constantane'.
- Using it as a general adjective (e.g., 'a constantan value' instead of 'a constant value').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are nickel-based alloys, constantan (Cu-Ni) is prized for its stable resistance, while nichrome (Ni-Cr) is known for its high resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures, making it common in heating elements.
No. It is exclusively a noun referring to the specific alloy. Using it to mean 'unchanging' (like the adjective 'constant') is an error.
You are unlikely to encounter it in everyday consumer goods. It is found inside specialised equipment like precision multimeters, industrial temperature sensors, and laboratory instruments.
'Eureka' was a trademark name for constantan, derived from the famous exclamation meaning 'I have found it!', highlighting the discovery of its useful constant-resistance property.
A copper-nickel alloy with high electrical resistivity and minimal change in resistivity with temperature change.
Constantan is usually technical in register.
Constantan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒnstəntæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːnstəntæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CONSTANT resistance across a temperature RANGE = CONSTANTAN.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of constantan that makes it useful in electrical instruments?