Method of copper plating aluminum and aluminum alloys with the intent of producing copper plated aluminum conductors and wires.
This is aelectroless plating process whereby aluminum is coated with copper with the end result of producing a light highly conductive electrical wire without the issues of aluminum oxide corrosion on the surface.
This technology would be an advantage for the aerospace industry via reducing the weight of the aircraft with aluminum wiring which is substantially lighter than copper out ever this wire would have all the qualities of a copper wire for a virtually one-for-one replacement with a 50% or better weight savings. Generally in the construction industry this technology would provide a substantial cost savings for electrical wire where the conductor element will cost 25% of the now conventional solid copper wire.
Most countries around the world have banned aluminum wiring both commercially and residentially due to the aluminum oxidizing which forms an insulator and eventually leads to arcing around the oxide which result in circuit failures and worst-case electrical fires. This technology encapsulates the aluminum with copper preventing the oxide forming at junctions and couplings thus allowing them to be used as if it were copper without any of the drawbacks of the former aluminum wiring systems.
Improper use or deployment of this wiring system whereby installers violate protective copper coating on the aluminum thus exposing the aluminum and all the problems that come with exposed junctions and connections.