Aluminum alloy cables are commonly found in our building materials. They are the latest high-tech cable products. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of aluminum alloy cables? This is a topic of great interest, and today we'll take a look at aluminum alloy cables.
1. Creep Resistance
The alloy material and annealing process of aluminum alloy conductors reduce the conductor's tendency to "creep" under heat and pressure. Compared to pure aluminum, creep resistance is improved by 300%, eliminating the relaxation problems caused by cold flow or creep.
2. Tensile Strength and Elongation
Compared to pure aluminum conductors, aluminum alloy conductors have significantly increased tensile strength. Thanks to special ingredients and processing techniques, elongation is increased to 30%, making them safer and more reliable.
3. Connection Performance
Aluminum alloy electrical connections are just as safe and stable as copper conductor connections. The composition of the aluminum alloy significantly improves its bonding properties. When the conductor is annealed, the added iron creates a high degree of creep resistance, ensuring connection stability even when the joint is overloaded and overheated for extended periods.
4. Weight-Bearing Capacity
Aluminum alloys improve the tensile strength of pure aluminum. Aluminum alloy cables can withstand 4,000 meters of weight, while copper cables can only support 2,750 meters.
5. Aluminum's inherent corrosion resistance is due to the thin, strong oxide layer formed on the aluminum surface when it comes into contact with air, which is particularly resistant to various forms of corrosion. The "Cable Bao Cable Application Technology Research Institute" states that adding rare earth elements to the alloy can further improve its corrosion resistance, especially electrochemical corrosion. Aluminum can withstand harsh environments, which is why it is widely used in cable trays, as well as many industrial components and containers. Corrosion is often associated with the connection of dissimilar metals in humid environments and can be prevented by appropriate protective measures such as lubricants, antioxidants, and protective coatings. Alkaline soils and certain types of acidic soils are highly corrosive to aluminum. Therefore, directly buried aluminum conductors should be insulated or molded to prevent corrosion. In sulfur-containing environments, such as railway tunnels, aluminum alloy exhibits significantly better corrosion resistance than copper.
6. Flexible aluminum alloy offers excellent bending properties. Its unique alloy formulation and processing technology significantly enhance its flexibility. Aluminum alloy is 30% more flexible than copper and has a 40% lower springback rate. While the bending radius of copper cables is 10x20 times, aluminum alloy cables only have a bending radius of 7 times, making them easier to connect.
