Cable and extrusion devices for applications serve a vital role in critical fields like health and national security. In fields ranging from heart surgery to military communications, wire devices supply equipment with electrical power and transmit data. Many kinds of materials are used to transmit electrical energy, but those most frequently specified in medical wires and military wires are copper, copper-covered steel, high strength copper alloys, and aluminum. For more unusual applications, conductors are fabricated from pure nickel, pure silver, copper-covered aluminum, and a host of metals, metal alloys, and metal combinations as dictated by the application.
Here are details on the most widely-used types of materials found in silicone cables and wires for various applications.
Copper – Copper is by far the most widely used conductor material in the industry. Among its physical properties are high electrical and thermal conductivity, ductility, malleability and solderability, high melting point, and high resistance to corrosion, wear and fatigue. Copper is also cost-effective when compared to other conductive materials commonly used in military and medical cables.
Copper-covered steel – Copper-covered steel combines the conductivity and corrosion resistance of copper with the strength of steel. Three types are presently available, differing primarily in method of producing the composite metal. In one type, molten welding permanently bonds the two components; in another, a copper layer is electroplated over a steel rod; and in the third, the copper and steel are metallurgically bonded.
High-Strength Alloys - Though more expensive than copper-covered steel wires, copper alloy conductors are specified because they permit significant size and/or weight reductions especially important in computer and aerospace applications. They offer high breaking strength and greater flex life with only a small increase in DC resistance. Cadmium-chromium copper, cadmium copper, chromium copper, and zirconium copper are most frequently used.
Stainless Steel - Stainless steel is used for medical lead wires and cables. Stainless steel has poor conductivity compared to copper and may have to be gold plated to improve the conductivity.
The QPL (Qualified Products List) is a listing that identifies both materials and suppliers whose materials are approved for use on certain federal or government projects without the need for any additional documentation or testing. On the QPL, only specified manufacturers are approved to make selected parts for federal, military or airframe applications because they have proven they can produce the standard products to particular requirements. If a federal agency needs to purchase a product, it will seek out businesses that already have products on the suitable QPL. For additional information on military and medical wires, please contact www.calmont.com to learn more.
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