Electric grade aluminium alloy (NML-PM2)

The paper shows that although EC grade aluminium is finding increasing use in overhead conductors, its use has not been accepted in many electrical applications because of lack of ductility, inferior strength and lower value of electrical conductivity. The use of copper is continuously increasing which is increasing our dependence on its import at the considerable involvement of foreign exchange. The paper describes the industrial development of electric grade aluminium alloy NML-PM2 at the National Metallurgical Laboratory having greater than 61% IACS electrical conductivity. The alloy is an ideal substitute of copper because of unique combination of electrical and mechanical properties. It is finding progressively increasing use in many-electrical applications such as welding cables, underground telephone cables, winding wires etc. (Dr. Rajendra Kumar and Dr. Manjit Singh, Scientists, National Metallurgical Laboratory)