Heat Resistant Aluminum-Zirconium Alloy Wire for Electrical Purposes

B941-10: Standard Specification for Heat Resistant Aluminum-Zirconium Alloy Wire for Electrical Purposes

In demanding electrical applications where elevated temperatures are a constant challenge, the integrity and reliability of conductors are paramount. ASTM B941-10 provides an essential framework for specifying heat-resistant aluminum-zirconium alloy wire, offering engineers and designers a proven benchmark for material selection and performance. This authoritative standard ensures that critical electrical components can withstand harsh thermal environments.

What is B941-10?

ASTM B941-10 is a comprehensive standard that defines the requirements for heat-resistant aluminum-zirconium alloy wire intended for electrical applications. Originating from ASTM's commitment to developing consensus-based standards, its primary purpose is to establish precise material properties, ensuring the wire's suitability for high-temperature service where standard aluminum alloys might anneal and degrade.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading specification governs the manufacture and properties of round aluminum-zirconium alloy wire designed for electrical conductivity under elevated temperatures. It details requirements for tensile strength, elongation, heat resistance, electrical resistivity, and dimensional tolerances. The standard covers a specific, commercially applicable alloy within the aluminum-zirconium family known for its resistance to annealing. It does not cover other aluminum alloys or applications where extreme thermal cycling beyond the specified limits is a primary concern.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Product Designers, Quality Control Inspectors, and Manufacturing Technicians involved in wire and cable production or the integration of electrical conductors into high-temperature systems.
• • Industries affected: Electrical Utilities, Electronics Manufacturing, Wire and Cable Manufacturing, Automotive Industry, and Aerospace Industry.
• • Compliance nature: Typically voluntary, but often mandated by contract specifications or regulatory requirements within affected industries.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is usually verified through material certifications from manufacturers and quality assurance testing by end-users or third-party inspectors.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires manufacturers to produce aluminum-zirconium alloy wire that consistently meets specified mechanical and electrical properties. Key provisions include:

• • The wire must exhibit a minimum tensile strength and elongation, with specific values provided based on wire diameter.
• • Crucially, the wire must demonstrate a defined level of heat resistance, ensuring it retains its mechanical integrity at elevated temperatures and resists annealing.
• • Electrical resistivity is limited to a maximum value, with a corresponding minimum conductivity percentage of IACS.
• • Strict tolerances are applied to the wire's diameter to ensure consistency and proper fit in electrical connections and assemblies.
• • The wire's surface finish must be free from defects that could compromise its electrical or mechanical performance.

Related Standards & References

ASTM B941-10 often works in conjunction with other ASTM standards. For instance, Test Method B193 provides the standardized procedure for measuring electrical resistivity, a critical parameter defined in B941-10. Similarly, Test Methods B557 outlines the methodologies for conducting tensile tests on wrought aluminum alloys, which are essential for verifying the mechanical properties stipulated in this specification. Specification B830 may also be referenced for uniform test methods and frequency, ensuring consistent quality control across production batches.