What is Aluminum Wire?
The use of aluminum wire rod in various industries such as automotive, construction, overhead conductors, and more is so widespread that it cannot be overlooked.
But the question is: What is aluminum wire rod, and what are its exact applications?
Aluminum wire rod is a type of raw material consisting of alloy aluminum ingots, EC ingots, and T-bar ingots, which are combined to produce aluminum wire rods in diameters of 2.30, 5.5, 9, and 12 millimeters.
Both alloyed and pure aluminum wire rods are used in various manufacturing industries such as steel, decoration, furniture, jewelry, and more for producing certain tools, parts, or equipment.
This product is currently available in the markets and can be easily obtained.
For more information about the advantages, applications, features, and a general introduction to aluminum wire rods, stay with us.
What is Aluminum Wire?
Aluminum rod is one type of aluminum wire. To better introduce aluminum wire, let’s take a brief look back in history.
In the past, copper was commonly used to produce wire and cable for various industries. However, during World War II, due to the rising cost and scarcity of copper, engineers turned to a substitute material—aluminum wire rod.
Although copper’s conductivity cannot be fully matched by other materials, aluminum, which belongs to the boron family, is considered one of the best alloys for electrical transmission. Aluminum wire rods are widely used across industrial sectors and in high-voltage cables.
Aluminum wire rod has an electrical conductivity of approximately 3.77 × 10^7 Siemens per meter (S/m) and a thermal conductivity of 237 W/m·K. This product is manufactured and supplied by Tofighi Steel Factory according to standard specifications.
What are the applications of aluminum wire rod (Sepehr Alloy)?
When discussing the capabilities of aluminum wire rod and its application solutions across various industries, it can be confidently stated that there is no single specific use for it, like ribbed wire, galvanized wire, or any other type of wire rod. This is because aluminum wire rod is a raw material used to produce other tools, and there are diverse ways to utilize it in different industries.
The applications of aluminum wire rod span a wide range of sectors, from construction to the production of jewelry and fashion accessories. It is also extensively used in the manufacturing of electrical components.
Other applications of aluminum wire rod include reinforcement (rebar), production of mesh and barbed wire, and concrete formwork.
Method and Process of Aluminum Wire Production
This process involves three very important components: the raw materials, the machinery used for production, and the operations performed.
The detailed stages of aluminum rod production are as follows:
- 1. First, raw materials such as aluminum ingots, T-bars, aluminum scrap, and EC (Electrical Conductor) ingots are melted in a furnace.
- 2. At this stage, processes such as impurity removal, dust and sludge elimination, and degassing are performed. For this reason, the molten aluminum is transferred to holding furnaces.
- 3. Then, the molten aluminum enters a crystallizer wheel and solidifies into crystals (casting process).
- 4. Next is the rolling stage, where the previously cast aluminum billet is processed by machinery to form wire rods with the desired thickness.
- 5. In the final stage, which is the preparation phase, the aluminum wire rod is coiled, packaged, and made ready for use.
Raw Materials for Aluminum Rod (Aluminum Wire) Production
Raw Materials for Aluminum Rod (Aluminum Wire) Production
Here, we aim to understand what raw materials are used to produce aluminum wire. As mentioned earlier, aluminum wire rod serves as a raw material for manufacturing other products in various industries.
Two main types of raw materials are used to produce this product, which include the following:
- • EC (Electrical Conductor) Ingot: An alloyed type of aluminum ingot used in the production of electrical conductors.
- • Alloyed Aluminum Ingot: Cylindrical ingots that include various aluminum alloys and pure aluminum, used in engineering industries, construction, shipbuilding, profile manufacturing, and other sectors.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Aluminum Wire Rod?
After understanding what aluminum wire rod is, you might be wondering: what features have made aluminum wire rod a preferred alternative to copper? Knowing this directly points to the advantages of using aluminum wire rod.
There are multiple advantages to using aluminum wire rod, some of which are as follows:
- • Recyclable
- • Easy to install
- • More affordable compared to copper
- • Easy to transport due to its lightweight
Alongside the advantages of using aluminum wire rod, this metal also has some disadvantages, including the following:
- • Less flexibility compared to copper
- • Higher electrical resistance, which results in aluminum cables having a larger diameter compared to copper ones.
- • High reactivity, which causes it to react with air.
- • Dimensional dependency on temperature due to a high coefficient of thermal expansion.
Types of Aluminum Wire Rods in the Market
Currently, there is a wide variety of aluminum wire rods (in terms of size) available in the market, which can be easily sourced. The types are as follows:
- • Wire rod with a diameter of 2.30 mm
- • Wire rod with a diameter of 5.5 mm
- • Wire rod with a diameter of 9 mm
- • Wire rod with a diameter of 12 mm
Due to the diverse and widespread applications of aluminum wire rod in various industries, it is now produced in different sizes. Aluminum drawing is a process performed by a drawing machine to reduce the diameter of the aluminum wire rod.
Price and How to Obtain Aluminum Wire Rod
Now that you understand what aluminum wire rod is and are familiar with its properties, features, and applications, you may want to use this material according to your industrial needs. There are various ways to purchase aluminum wire rod. For example, you can visit local markets or shops in person to order the desired product, or you can browse reputable websites online to check specifications such as weight, diameter, thickness, purchase methods, and price, and place your order online.
However, if you still lack information about the specifications of aluminum wire rod, it is best to consult an expert. Therefore, we recommend that for any inquiries regarding aluminum wire rod (aluminum rod), you contact our specialists at Sepehr Alloy Steel Industries, one of the best and most reputable manufacturers of black wire, galvanized wire, and other types of wire rods, to receive professional consultation.