Nichrome is used in the explosives and fireworks industry as a bridgewire in electric ignition systems, such as electric matches and model rocket igniters.

Industrial and hobby hot wire foam cutters use nichrome wire.

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

Nichrome wire is used in testing the colour of the flame in the non-luminous part of fire of a cation such as the cations of potassium, copper, calcium, sodium etc.

The alloy tends to be expensive due to its high nickel content. Distributor pricing is typically indexed to commodity market prices for nickel.

Other areas of usage include motorcycle silencers, and in certain microbiological lab apparatus.

For heating, resistance wire must be stable in air when hot. Nichrome wire forms a protective layer of chromium oxide