New Al-Ag Alloys for Electrical Conductors with Increased Current Carrying Capacity

Abstract

The paper shows a new idea of aluminium alloys. New alloys with specially selected alloying element i.e. silver have electrical conductivity similar to pure aluminium at ambient temperature and better than pure aluminium electrical conductivity at increased temperatures. Al-Ag alloys for electrical applications (mainly for electrical conductors) due to high electrical conductivity at increased temperatures at the level of the maximum conductor working temperatures give possibility of better current capacity of conductors. The experimental results of basic mechanical properties and the electric conductivity versus temperature relation are shown in the paper as well as examples of the tested material operational properties. The summary gives theoretical analysis based on examples of the potential applications of Al-Ag alloys (new conductor designs) which provide the benefits of the new solutions in comparison to traditional conductors.