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Property

High electrical conductivity

Pure copper carries current best, but it is soft. Alloying adds strength and takes away conductivity. We help you choose where your part should sit between the two.

How it is measured

Unit
% IACS
Reference
100 % IACS = 58 MS/m
Portfolio range
4–100 %IACS
Depends on
Alloy and temper

What this property costs

El. conductivity plotted against tensile strength, the property with which it has the strongest trade-off. Each zone represents the range of an alloy family.

Tensile strength →El. conductivity →

Families ranked by El. conductivity

Range across the active grades of each family, on a common scale.

  1. Pure & Low-Alloy Copper30–100 %IACSThe most conductive. Chromium-zirconium grades add wear and temperature resistance.
  2. Brasses6–57 %IACS
  3. Copper-Nickel-Silicon24–45 %IACSKeeps useful conductivity while adding strength.
  4. Copper-Beryllium28–45 %IACS
  5. Copper-Nickel4–30 %IACS
  6. Nickel-Base8–21 %IACS
  7. Tin Bronzes11–19 %IACS
  8. Copper-Nickel-Tin8–13 %IACS
  9. Copper-Aluminium7–8 %IACSChosen for mechanical performance, with lower conductivity.
  10. Nickel-Silver4–7 %IACS
  11. Copper-Manganese4–6 %IACS

Grades sorted on this property

Open in the full Navigator

The Navigator sorted on this property. Set your thresholds in the filters: nothing is locked.

Where it is required

  • Generator rotor end rings and bars

    High conductivity with high mechanical resistance

    See the industry
  • Busbars and high-conductivity strip

    Conductivity, formability and consistency in series

    See the industry
  • Power connectors, relays and contactors

    High conductivity

    See the industry

Need more conductivity than your current grade allows?

Send us the current, the load and the operating temperature. Our engineers propose a grade and a temper for your part.