Characteristics and Applications of Copper Clad Aluminium Wire (CCA Wire)

A Comparative Analysis with Copper Clad Steel Wire (CCS Wire) and Selection Guide

In the wire and cable industry, composite conductor materials are widely valued for their cost-effectiveness and balanced performance. Copper Clad Aluminium Wire (CCA Wire) and Copper Clad Steel Wire (CCS Wire) are two common types of composite wires that combine the properties of different metals to meet diverse application needs.

1. Features and Advantages of CCA Wire

Copper Clad Aluminium Wire (CCA Wire) consists of an aluminum core with an outer copper layer, typically comprising 10%-30% copper. Its key benefits include:

Lightweight: Aluminum’s density (2.7 g/cm³) is significantly lower than copper’s (8.96 g/cm³), making it ideal for weight-sensitive applications (e.g., aerospace, portable device cables).
Cost-Effective: Aluminum is cheaper, substantially reducing material costs.
Conductivity: Offers about 60%-70% of pure copper’s conductivity, outperforming pure aluminum wires, making it suitable for mid-to-low-frequency signal transmission (e.g., Ethernet cables, audio wires).

Limitations:
Lower mechanical strength, unsuitable for high-tension environments;
Inferior corrosion resistance compared to pure copper, with potential oxidation in humid conditions.

2. Comparative Analysis of CCS Wire

Copper Clad Steel Wire (CCS Wire) features a steel core coated with copper, combining steel’s strength with copper’s conductivity:

High Tensile Strength: The steel core provides excellent tensile strength (500-1000 MPa), ideal for overhead lines, lightning rods, and outdoor applications.
Conductivity: Approximately 30%-40% of pure copper’s conductivity, lower than CCA Wire but sufficient for grounding and lightning protection.
Corrosion Resistance: The copper layer delays steel corrosion, but exposed steel may rust if the coating is damaged.

3. Key Parameter Comparison

4. Selection Guidelines

Choose CCA Wire: When balancing cost, weight, and conductivity is critical (e.g., home networking, consumer electronics).
Choose CCS Wire: For high-strength, weather-resistant applications (e.g., power transmission, communication tower grounding).