Clad Wires
Clad wires consist of two materials combined in wire form, typically featuring a non-precious metal core with an outer coating of a precious metal alloy.
About Clad Wires
Clad wires are used for power and data transmission in sensor technology and rotating systems such as wind power generators and MRTs, for example as sensor and lead-in wires or as sliding contacts made primarily of gold and platinum-based alloys.
Their key advantage lies in the material combination: Heraeus pairs the mechanical properties of non‑precious metal cores, such as elasticity, with the excellent conductivity, abrasion resistance, and corrosion stability of precious metals. As the precious‑metal layer is proportionally thinner than the core, clad wires offer a significantly more cost‑efficient alternative to solid precious‑metal wires.
Advantages
Individual consultation is available to support application-specific requirements with clad wires manufactured to defined specifications. Typically, a non-precious metal core is coated with a precious metal, most commonly a gold- or platinum-based alloy. Alternatively, reverse material configurations can also be realized to meet specific functional needs.
Overview of your advantages:
- Cost savings through lower precious metal content
- Long service life due to abrasion resistance
- Corrosion resistance
- Combination of desired material properties
- Diverse options for further processing
- Wide range of alloys optimized for the specific application, such as those based on platinum and gold
- Many years of experience in sliding transmission systems
- Consultation and support from our application laboratory
- Various delivery options (continuous, bent, cut sections, or as modules)
Application Fields
These products are found primarily in rotating systems such as wind power generators and in sensor technology. Additional examples of applications are packaging and filling plants or large-scale medical equipment.
In particular, the following are among the product designs and applications:
- Slip ring assemblies and slide wires
- Welded contacts
- Formed wire parts for contact elements
- Wires for signal and power transmission
- Connecting wires for sensors
Product Properties
- Good elastic properties
- High conductivity
- Corrosion resistant
- Cost savings from reduced precious metal content
- Highly ductile
- Optimal joining
- Highly wear resistant
- Outstanding thermal resistance
Material Properties
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