Bimetallic wire rods for cables
The main materials for the manufacturing of cable products are copper and aluminium.
Combining them creates a product that possesses the benefits of both metals: the high conductivity of copper and the low weight of aluminium.
Bimetallic wiring made from aluminium and copper-plated is being used more and more in the cable industry. The wiring has a copper coating that occupies only up to 20% of the cross-section, allowing the cable to be lighter than ones made only from copper.
The undeniable advantage of bimetallic wiring is the cost; copper prices are rising more quickly than aluminium prices, and the lower weight of the wiring due to the use of aluminium alloy reduces production costs of the cables. Moreover, wires made from aluminium and copper are safer for housing.
Together with UC RUSAL, the Aluminium Association is working on a project to expand the use of bimetallic wiring in the Russian cable industry.
Main areas of focus in the project:
- Developing technology, planning the launch of production of bimetallic wires made from copper and aluminium;
- Developing structures and regulations for copper-aluminium cables and wires in households;
- Planning production of copper tape for plating aluminium wires;
- Drafting recommendations for processing wire rods from copper and aluminium;
- Receiving the necessary permits and documentation for household usage of copper-aluminium cable products.
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