What is the composition of the silver-colored wire in the image?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shawnz1102
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Wire
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the material composition of a silver-colored wire depicted in an image. Participants explore various possibilities regarding the wire's material, including aluminum, tinned copper, and steel, while also considering solderability and practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the bottom wire may be aluminum or a silver-colored copper variant, questioning if copper wires can appear silver.
  • Another participant proposes that the silvery wire could be aluminum or a tin alloy.
  • A different viewpoint claims that the wire is made from steel.
  • One participant raises the possibility of the wire being tinned copper, noting that solderability may be an issue if it is aluminum.
  • Another participant mentions the importance of checking for a manufacturer or part number to determine the material.
  • One participant asserts that the wire is likely tin plated copper, which is common for small hookup wires, and discusses its advantages for soldering.
  • Another participant speculates that the wire could be thermocouple wire, which may consist of various alloys or metals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the wire's composition, with no consensus reached on a definitive material identification.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the wire's solderability may depend on its actual material, with specific concerns raised about aluminum and steel. The discussion also highlights the potential for different types of wire based on applications.

shawnz1102
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
I'd like to know what material the bottom wire is made of. I'm pretty sure the top one is copper, but the bottom wire is silver in color. Could it be aluminum or can copper wires come in silver color? Both of the wires are 24 awg but the one on the top is single stranded and the bottom one is multi-stranded. Will i be able to solder them together?

[PLAIN]http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4231/img01521.jpg


Thanks !
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Engineering news on Phys.org
I've wondered this myself, I assume that the silvery one is aluminum or some sort of tin alloy?

But yes, you can solder them together, I've done it myself :)
 
That kind of wiring is made from steel.
 
Could also be (solder) tinned copper. Is the color homogeneous on the chopped end? If it's aluminum I would doubt the solderability, and even steel doesn't like to tin without more corrosive fluxes. The best way to see if you can solder them is try...
 
Does the wire have a manufacture and/or part number printed on the insulation?
 
dlgoff said:
Does the wire have a manufacture and/or part number printed on the insulation?

I see some words on it but it's way too small for my eyes to see. I will contact the seller and ask what material it is.
 
Almost certainly, the wire is tin plated copper. It's quite common, even more common than bare copper for small hook up wires. It has the advantage that it solders great and is corrode.

A little more rare is silver plated copper. It is used for wire wrapping, board modifications, and I use it for jumpers on solder-less bread-board.

silver plated AWG24 doesn't survive forever, but it makes great connections for short term use.

Mike
 
Yea, it's probably just tin plated, but there is a chance that it's thermocouple wire. In which case it could be made from a number of alloy/metal types.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
17K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K