Electric cables have tinned copper conductors and pure copper conductors. How should we choose? Let's learn about the characteristics, applications, advantages and disadvantages of tinned copper conductors and pure copper conductors.
Tinned copper wire
Tinned copper wire is copper wire coated with a thin layer of tin. The tin coating provides excellent protection against corrosion and oxidation, which is ideal for environments with high humidity, salt water or other corrosive elements. Tinned copper wire is easier to solder because the tin coating has a lower melting point than copper and forms a better bond during the soldering process. The coating can extend the service life of the wire, especially in harsh environmental conditions. Tinned copper wire maintains the flexibility of pure copper wire and is suitable for applications that require frequent movement or bending.
Due to the additional tinning process, tinned copper wire is generally more expensive than pure copper wire. Although tinned copper still has high conductivity, the tin coating slightly reduces the overall conductivity compared to pure copper wire.
Applications of tinned copper: Marine environments, Outdoor and underground facilities, Electrical components exposed to corrosive conditions, Welding projects, High humidity areas.
Pure copper wire
Pure copper wire is made of 99.9% copper with no additional coating. Pure copper has the highest electrical conductivity of all non-precious metals, making it very efficient in electrical applications. Pure copper wire is generally cheaper than tinned copper wire. It is available in a variety of specifications and forms for a wide range of applications.
Pure copper is susceptible to oxidation and corrosion, especially in humid or salty environments, which can degrade performance over time. Pure copper wire is more difficult to solder than tinned copper wire.
Applications of copper wire: Indoor wiring, general electrical applications, electronics and telecommunications, low-corrosion environments, power transmission.
When selecting cables, you can choose the appropriate tinned copper wire or pure copper wire based on the actual situation.