Group items tagged

Corrosion can affect the weight and strength of conductor materials. Tests performed recently on samples of ACCR conductor strung in late 2002 showed no appreciable loss of either tensile strength or weight. Tensile strength remained between 105 and 107 percent of rated breaking strength. Examination of core wires with both optical and scanning electron microscopes showed no indications of corrosion or pitting.

Properties of Cu and AlCopper(CW004A)Aluminium (1350)UnitsElectrical conductivity (annealed)10161% IACSElectrical resistivity (annealed)1.722.83μΩ cmTemperature coefficient of resistance(annealed)0.00390.004/° CThermal conductivity at 20°C397230W/mKCoefficient of expansion17 x 10–623 x 10–6/° CTensile strength (annealed)200 – 25050 – 60N/mm2Tensile strength (half–hard)260 – 300 85 – 100N/mm20.2% proof stress (annealed)50 – 5520 – 30N/mm20.2% proof stress (half–hard)170 – 20060 – 65N/mm2Elastic modulu116 – 13070kN/mm2Specific heat385900J/kg KDensity8.912.70g/cm3Melting point1083660°CBecause of the high strength of copper, the insulators can be more widely spaced than is possible with lower-strength materials.

Lear's alternative wire technology reduces mass and copper dependence by replacing copper with copper clad steel (CCS). High tensile strength steel technology enables usage of smaller wire diameter while still meeting all vehicle conductivity requirements.