Clad metals are two distinct metals or alloys that are metallurgically bonded together so that the optimum combination of functional properties is achieved. Clad metal wire allows the “best of both worlds” so to speak, typically combining one metal with conductive properties with another metal that provides an additional benefit, such as additional strength, weight reduction, or corrosion resistance.
Clad metal wires are used in almost every industry from agriculture to aerospace to music wherever electrical wire must perform in a unique or demanding environment.
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Clad Metals Data Table
| Material | Resistivity | Conductivity | Tensile Strength Nominal (KPSI) | Density | Magnetic Attraction | |
| Ohms/CMF | IACS | Soft | Hard | lb/in³ | ||
| Copper Clad Aluminum 10% | 16.50 | 62.9% | 25 | 30 | 0.120 | Non-Magnetic |
| Copper Clad Aluminum 15% | 16.10 | 64.4% | 25 | 30 | 0.131 | Non-Magnetic |
| Nickel Clad Copper | 14.61 | 71% | 55 | 85 | 0.321 | Magnetic |
| Copper Clad Steel 40% | 26.45 | 40% | 50 | 110 | 0.294 | Magnetic |
| Copper Clad Stainless Steel (CCSS) | 27.97 | 37% | 106 | 200 | 0.300 | Non-Magnetic |
| Copper Clad Nickel Iron Alloy (Dumet) | 58 | 17% | 80 | 120 | 0.298 | Magnetic |
Product Spotlight
Clad Metals Wire
Clad metal wire products differ from each other specifically by conductivity and the additional advantages coming from the properties of the secondary metal.
Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA)
An electrical conductor grade aluminum core bonded to an oxygen free copper outer layer.
Conductivity:
(IACS DC conductivity in terms of cross sectional copper thickness)
- 10% Copper - 9% min IACS
- 15% Copper - 4% min IACS
Additional Advantages
- Uniquely suited to electrical applications where weight and conductivity issues are critical
- AC conductivity at frequencies greater than 5MHz is equal to solid copper
Applications
- Music - Amplification, Noise elimination and high performance audio
- Power - Wireless chargers, custom power supplies
- Aerospace, military, commercial - Extreme temperature sensors, noise control, custom magnetics, underwater sensors
- Space propulsion systems, sensors - Booms (Retractable tube for inflight transfer of fuel)
- Specialty resistors and capacitors -Wireless power transfer systems using inductive coupling through magnetic field
- Electromagnetic radiation and atomic research - Coaxial Cable
Produced to ASTM B-566 annealed and hard.
Copper Clad Nickel-Iron Alloy (Dumet)
Dumet wire is a nickel-iron core bonded to oxygen free copper outer widely used where wire must be bonded to glass.
Conductivity:
(IACS DC conductivity in terms of copper by weight)
- 20-25% Copper - 17% IACS
Additional Advantages
- Closely matches the thermal expansion of glass
- High ductility and can be soldered and welded easily
Applications
- Used extensively in devices that combine glass and electronic wire leads including:
- Incandescent light bulbs
- Fluorescent lights
- High-intensity discharge lamps (HID Lamps)
- Halogen lamps
- Capacitors
- Diodes
Produced to ASTM F29-63T annealed and hard.
Copper Clad Steel (CCS)
A core of high tensile strength steel with an outer layer of copper.
Conductivity:
(IACS DC conductivity in terms of cross sectional copper thickness)
- 10% Copper/Low Carbon Steel - 40% IACS
Additional Advantages
- High strength and protection for electrical conductors in challenging environments
Applications
- Industrial - grounding wire, Inner conductor for coaxial cables.
- Medical - Intracardiac ablation catheters, neuro-interventional products, atherectomy systems
- Power supplies and conversion - Wireless, heavy duty, and custom
- Hardware - Special and nautical applications, torsion springs
- Motors and magnetic assemblies - Agriculture, aerospace, oil & gas and other heavy duty applications
- Specialty resistors and capacitors - Wireless power transfer systems using inductive coupling through magnetic field
- Intelligent pressure and temperature measuring instrumentation - Flowmeters, differential pressure transmitters, thermometers, thermocouples
Produced to ASTM B-452 annealed and hard.
Copper Clad Stainless Steel (CCSS)
A core with all the benefits of 300 series stainless steel with a copper outer layer.
Conductivity:
(IACS DC conductivity in terms of cross sectional copper thickness)
- 10% Copper – 37% IACS
Additional Advantages
- High strength and protection for electrical conductors in challenging environments with the additional anti-corrosion and sterile properties of stainless steel
Applications
- Copper clad stainless steel is widely used in the medical industry where surface smoothness and clean room performance is critical.
- CCSS is used in a variety of medical devices including:
- Intracardiac ablation catheters
- Neuro-interventional products
- Atherectomy systems
Produced to ASTM F138 annealed and hard.
Nickel Clad Copper (NCC)
A copper core wire bonded to an outer layer of pure Nickel.
Conductivity:
(IACS DC conductivity in terms of Nickel by weight)
- 27% Nickel - 70% IACS
Additional Advantages
- Combines high conductivity and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures or corrosive environments
Applications
- Aircraft/Military - Airframe wiring for high temperature and severe environments, control circuits, fire zone circuits
- Appliances - Lead wiring for high temperature or severe environments, infrared ovens, industrial heating
Produced to ASTM B-355 in sizes 20 AWG and finer, annealed and hard.
Special Processes
Ask a sales representative about any special temper or wire finish.
Clad metal wire is available in sizes 14 – 44 AWG with the following options:
- Soft/Hard Temper
- Bare
- Insulated
- Shaped
- Plated
- Bondable
Clad Metals Wire Data
Need more info about chemical composition? See our Data Sheet.
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