Unit 2
Conduction in Conducting Materials
Part II
Choice of Conducting Materials
2
Choice of Conducting Materials
Corrosion resistance
Aluminum is affected by Galvanic Corrosion. When it gets in contact with
other metal (Cu) in the presence of water vapor it forms a galvanic cell and
Aluminum acts as anode subjected to corrosion.
Aluminum
Weight loss Heat effect
gets cut
Oxidation characteristics
Oxygen is an electronegative gas that tends to absorb electrons in the
form of oxidation to metals.
Reduction in
Reduction in Resistance
Oxidation Current carrying
effective diameter increase
capacity
2 2 . Conducting material
2 3 . Non-conducting material
4
Choice of Conducting Materials
5
Choice of Conducting Materials
On the other hand, it is not the case in aluminum, where the products
from reaction with acids are non-conducting.
6
Choice of Conducting Materials
Soldering characteristics
Gold and silver involve no problems in soldering
For Aluminum
7
Classification of Conducting Materials in Industrial App.
8
Elemental Conductors
1. Copper (Cu)
= 0.004
= 16 40 2
9
Elemental Conductors
Types of Copper Conductors
11
Elemental Conductors
2. Aluminum (Al)
= 2.9 /3 3
= 0.004
= 8 2
12
Elemental Conductors
Types of Aluminum Conductors
= 5 107 . = 11.7 /3
= 0.005
Applications:
Shield for communication cables
via dissipation of external fields
14
Elemental Conductors
3. Lead (Pb)
Applications:
Sheath in power cables
to safeguard users through
dissipation of electrostatic deposited charge.
Fuse Element
When short-circuit takes place the current
and in turn the power dissipation rise suddenly.
So the metal of which the element inside
the fuse tube is made must have low melting point, e.g. Pb.
15
Elemental Conductors
4. Tungsten (W)
= 5 107 . = 2 /3
= 0.005
16
Alloy Conductors
Characteristics: High resistivity with very low
Highly resistant to oxidation and melting at high
temperatures applied for long time
18
Extra Conductors
1. Thermal Bimetals
Applications:
Thermal relay
Switching and disconnection for contact circuits in protection systems for
motors and electrical appliances against overloads.
Temperature Measurements
The radius of curvature gives an indication of temperature rise.
19
Extra Conductors
2. Thermocouple Materials
20
Extra Conductors
2. Thermocouple Materials
=
1
+ 2
2
1
+ 2
3
21
ASTM Thermoelement Minimum & Maximum
E-230 Alloys Temperatue Range
Letter C F
Pt 30% Rh
B 870 to 1700 1600 to 3100
Pt 6% Rh
Chromel
E -200 to 870 -328 to 1600
Constantan
Iron
J 0 to 760 32 to 1400
Constantan
Chromel
K -200 to 1260 -328 to 2300
Alumel
Nicrosil
N 0 to 1260 32 to 2300
Nisil
Pt 13% Rh
R 0 to 1480 32 to 2700
Pure Pt
Pt 10% Rh
S 0 to 1480 32 to 2700
Pure Pt
Copper
T -200 to 370 -328 to 700
Constantan
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