FEE 361 CAT 2 F17/1544/2012

Electrical Engineering Materials

In electrical engineering, materials used are chosen depending on their electrical

properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity, insulation capabilities, magnetic

properties. These materials are classified into groups according to their properties. Materials that

are good electrical conductors such as silver, copper, gold and aluminum are classified as

conductors. Semiconductors are materials that conduct electricity under special conditions and

include silicon, germanium and Gallium Arsenide. Some materials are used to insulate electrical

circuits and include plastics, rubber and ceramics. Some materials have exactly zero electrical

resistance when below a certain temperature and are reffered to as superconductors.

Superconducting materials include alloys such as Niobium-titanium and ceramics such as

Cuprates and Magnesium diboride.

While investigating electrical materials, it is important to determine some parameters

which affect how they perform. The conductivity of the material is the property indicating the

ease of flow of an electric current through the material. The reciprocal of conductivity is

resistivity which indicates reluctance to flow of electric current in the material. These two

properties determine how good an electrical conductor is. The temperature coefficient of

resistance the material is a parameter showing how the resistance of the material changes with

temperature. The thermal properties are used to determine if the material is suitable for use in

applications with extreme temperatures. The dielectric strength is a property indicating the

materials ability to withstand high voltages and is specified for insulators to determine their

operating voltages. The contact properties of an electrical material are how the material reacts

with the environment in which it is used, such as its resistance to oxidation. The contact

properties are important to consider if the material is going to be exposed to the elements.

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FEE 361 CAT 2 F17/1544/2012

Different materials find different applications in electrical engineering. Copper is mostly

used for windings of electrical machines due to its high conductivity and easy workability.

Aluminium is used for electrical applications in the aerospace industry and electrochemical

industry due to its light weight and lower cost than copper. It is also used for long distance

transmission lines due to its resistance to oxidation. Tungsten is used for high temperature

applications such as welding, arcing and light lamps due to its high melting point and resistance

to oxidation. Steel is used as conductors for rail systems due to its rigidity and low cost. Nickel is

used for making electrodes for thermionic valves and sparking plugs. Lead is used to make cable

sheaths and the plates of acid batteries. Tin is used to make low current fuses. Alloys are used for

making highly specialized instruments that require high consistence in resistance. Carbon and

graphite are used to make brushes for electrical machines to reduce sparking and commuter wear.

The effects of pressure on conductivity of carbon makes it useful in microphones and voltage

regulators