The discussion revolves around the conductivity of aluminium surfaces, specifically focusing on the thin aluminium oxide layer that typically protects these surfaces. Participants explore the implications of this oxide layer on electrical measurements, particularly contact resistance, and the conditions under which it may or may not conduct electricity.
Participants express differing views on the conductivity of the aluminium oxide layer and the factors influencing contact resistance. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives on the nature of the oxide layer and its effects on electrical measurements.
Limitations include the dependence on the specific conditions of the experiments conducted, such as the thickness of the oxide layer, the voltage applied, and the type of electrodes used. There are also unresolved questions regarding the breakdown voltage and its implications for conductivity.
The oxide layer is extremely thin, typically up to about https://www.surrey.ac.uk/mes/files/Castle_paper2.pdf. For such thin layers, the breakdown voltage is well within the voltage range that a multimeter can reach (for example a breakdown voltage of 6V is reported http://photonics-benelux.org/proc08/s08p195.pdf for a 10nm crystalline sample)spareine said:Aluminium surfaces are protected by a thin aluminium oxide layer. The oxide layer supposedly does not conduct electricity. However, when measuring the contact resistance between the test pen of a multimeter and the aluminium, this resistance is always small. Why? Is the oxide layer easily punctured?
What is the smallest current range on your multimeter?spareine said:Aluminium surfaces are protected by a thin aluminium oxide layer. The oxide layer supposedly does not conduct electricity. However, when measuring the contact resistance between the test pen of a multimeter and the aluminium, this resistance is always small. Why? Is the oxide layer easily punctured?