Aluminium and Its Alloys Used in Electrical and Electronics Industry

Nowadays aluminium and aluminium alloys are used in a large number of electrical & electronic applications. The metal is highly non-magnetic, ductile and cheaper. It has fairly high structural strength and acceptable levels of conductivity, which makes it one of the most used metal in the electrical and electronic industry worldwide

1. Aluminium has been used as a conductor material in electrical applications since long. Aluminium has replaced by copper in high-voltage transmission and has emerged as the most economical way of transmitting electric power all over the world.
2. Aluminium is used in electrical conduit (An electrical conduit is a tubing system used for protection and routing of electrical wiring.) A rigid aluminium does not spark, resists corrosion and will not rust. These properties of aluminium are vitally important for electrical applications within coal mines, grain elevators and refineries (where sparking can lead to catastrophic outcomes)
3. Aluminium has also been started to use in Rayming Technology as base material for manufacturing LED PCB. Aluminium base LED PCB, also referred as MCPCB, has more efficient thermal transfer capability compared to rigid PCB, hence considered an ideal material for LED manufacturing.
4. For more than 60 years Aluminium has been used for bus bars and lately its increasingly being used for a whole range of busbar applications due to its light weight and durability
5. Aluminium is used in switchgear and rising main systems because of its lighter weight compared with copper.
6. For power distribution systems the A.C.S.R. (aluminium conductor steel reinforced) overhead line conductors are used worldwide.
7. Casings are also made from the material as are fans used for motor cooling purposes. Cage rotors for induction motors often employ aluminium bars.
8. Heating elements like aluminium foil have been developed but are not widely used at present. Applications include foil film wallpaper, curing concrete and possibly soil warming.
9. In case of heat sinks high thermal conductivity of aluminium and ease of extruding or casting into solid or hollow shapes with integral fins makes the material ideal for use.
10. After World War Il aluminium’s use in utility grid transmission and distribution networks increased rapidly. The metal weighs half of the equivalent capacity of copper and was advantageous for the construction steps of pulling wire, suspension and support.
11. Development of ‘Conductive Polymer Hybrid Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors’, said to feature large capacitance and large current in compact size, suited for automotive ECUs, power supply circuits of HEV, EV and gasoline-powered vehicles.
12. The application areas include electrolytic capacitors, heating elements, and heat sinks in industrial segment, and electric light bulbs, and satellite dishes in the domestic segment.
13. In the fields of electric module packaging, electronic technology, automotive body structure, wind and solar energy management aluminium alloys are widely used due to the advantages of high specific strength, high processability, predominantly anti-erosion, increased conductivity, eco-friendly nature and recoverability of aluminium.
14. Aluminium used in Smartphones, tablets, laptops, flat-screen TVs, computer monitors, and other electronics because it combines beauty and practicality, with the ability to look sophisticated yet reliable.
15. Aluminium is used in precision tubing for refrigerators and air conditioners. It is also used in other freezing appliances that helps to facilitate the cooling process and create highly efficient refrigeration.
16. Aluminium frames are used in many consumer washers, dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances.
17. The use of AA-8000 series electrical-grade aluminium alloy conductor material required by The U.S. National Electrical Code for most aluminium building wire applications.
18. Electronics manufacturers have recently been implementing aluminium for cooling CPU and graphics processors, with its excellent heat conductivity making it an ideal choice.
19. In the body of the motor’s aluminium is mostly used, providing a light and durable structure and it can withstand high temperatures and extreme conditions.
20. Pure aluminium is used by the electronics industry for capacitor foil, hard disc drives and conductor tracks on silicon chips.
21. Aluminium and its alloys are also widely used in the production of electronic and microelectronic components, in particular, capacitors. It is also used to produce antennae, including TV antennae.
22. This metal is used in radar construction. In some countries even pylons for power lines are made of aluminium
23. Aluminium is widely used in the production of transformers and rotor low-voltage motors.
24. Aluminium chassis for HDTVs provide the strength and protection necessary for the delicate electronics and screen of an HDTV. The lightweight nature of the metal means that widescreen TVs can be safely mounted on standard walls without internal or external bracing. The 50-pound aluminium chassis of a 40-inch HDTV would come in at a wall-straining 100 pounds or more, were the casing to be made of steel.
25. Research now indicates aluminium nanoparticle technology may be the best candidate for nanotechnologies that harvest solar energy