EC (electrical conductor) grade aluminium is high-purity aluminium, essentially the 1350 alloy, with a minimum of about 99.5% Al and strict limits on elements that reduce conductivity, particularly titanium, vanadium, chromium and manganese. It reaches roughly 61-62% IACS conductivity, compared with 100% for annealed copper, at about one third of the density of copper.
Why it matters when buying
- Conductivity, not just purity, is the acceptance test; ask for conductivity or resistivity values with the mill test certificate.
- Check the sum of Ti, V, Cr and Mn; small excesses cut conductivity noticeably.
- EC wire rod is typically supplied in coils of 9.5 mm diameter; confirm diameter, coil weight, temper and tensile range.
- For overhead conductors needing more strength, 6201 alloy rod is used instead, with lower conductivity.
Typical uses
AAC and ACSR overhead conductors, power cables, bus bars, transformer and motor windings, and earthing strip. Clean EC wire scrap (Talon and Taste in ISRI terms) is among the highest-value aluminium scrap. See wire rod and wire and conductors.