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Aluminum Electrical Conductors

Aluminum Electrical Conductors

Aluminum Conductors on a weight basis, aluminum has twice the electrical conductance of copper; on a volume basis, the conductivity of aluminum is about 62 percent (or less) that of copper. For electrical applications, a special, high-purity grade of aluminum is used (designated 1350, also referred to as EC) or alloyed to improve strength with minimum sacrifice in conductivity. The Table below lists common conductor alloys and gives their strengths and conductivities in various forms and treatments. In power transmission lines, the necessary strength for long spans obtained by stranding aluminum wires about a core wire of steel (ACSR) or a higher-strength aluminum alloy.

Table of Aluminum Electrical Conductors Ultimate tensile strength and conductiity

Product, alloy, treatment* (size)	Ultimate tensile strength ksi	Min. electrical conductivity % IACS
Drawing stock (rod)
1350-O (0.375-to 1.000-in diam)	8.5 – 14.0	61.8
1350-H12 and H22 (0.375-to 1.000-in diam)	12.0 – 17.0	61.5
1350-H14 and H24 (0.375-to 1.000-in diam)	15.0 – 20.0	61.4
1350-H16 and H26 (0.375-to 1.000-in diam)	17.0 – 22.0	61.3
5005-O (0.375-in diam)	14.0 – 20.0	54.3
5005-H12 and H22 (0.375-in diam)	17.0 – 23.0	54.0
5005-H14 and H24 (0.375-in diam)	20.0 – 26.0	53.9
5005-H16 and H26 (0.375-in diam)	24.0 – 30.0	53.8
8017-H12 and H22 (0.375-in diam)	16.0 – 22.0	58.0
8030-H12 (0.375-in diam)	16.0 – 20.5	60.0
8176-H14 (0.375-in diam)	16.0 – 20.0	59.0
8177-H13 and H23 (0.375-in diam)	16.0 – 22.0	58.0
Wire
1350-H19 (0.0801-to 0.0900-in diam)	26.0 min	61.0
5005-H19 (0.0801-to 0.0900-in diam)	37.0 min	53.5
6201-T81 (0.0612-to 0.1327-in diam)	46.0 min	52.5
8176-H24 (0.0500-to 0.2040-in diam)	15.0 min	61.0
Extrusions
1350-H111 (all)	8.5 min	61.0
6101-H111 (0.250 to 2.000 in thick)	12.0 min	59.0
6101-T6 (0.125 to 0.500 in thick)	29.0 min	55.0
6101-T61 (0.125 to 0.749 in thick)	20.0 min	57.0
6101-T61 (0.750 to 1.499 in thick)	18.0 min	57.0
6101-T61 (1.500 to 2.000 in thick)	15.0 min	57.0
Rolled bar
1350-H12 (0.125 to 1.000 in thick)	12.0 min	61.0
Sawed plate bar
1350-H112 (0.125 to 0.499 in thick)	11.0 min	61.0
1350-H112 (0.500 to 1.000 in thick)	10.0 min	61.0
1350-H112 (1.001 to 1.500 in thick)	9.0 min	61.0
Sheet
1350-O (0.006 to 0.125 in thick)	8.0 – 14.0	61.8

ksi x 6.895 = MPa, in x 25.4 = mm
IACS = International Annealed Copper Standard.
* Treatments: O = annealed; H = cold-worked; T = heat-treated

Sources:

Current edition of ‘‘Metals Handbook,’’ American Society for Materials. Current listing of applicable ASTM, AISI, and SAE Standards. Publications of the various metal-producing companies. Publications of the professional and trade associations which contain educational material and physical property data for the materials promoted.

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