Clad Wires

Clad wires are a combination of two materials in the form of a wire. They mostly consist of a core of non-precious material and an outer coating of a precious metal alloy.

Clad Wires

They are used for power and data transmission in sensor technology and in rotating systems such as wind power generators and MRTs, where they are used as sensor or lead-in wires or as sliding contacts, mostly made of gold and platinum alloys.

The combination represents the advantage of these wires: Heraeus uses the best properties of non-precious metals (e.g. elastic properties) and combines them with the benefits of precious metals (e.g. conductivity, abrasion resistance, resistance to corrosion). The layer of precious metal is proportionately smaller than the core. Compared to a solid precious metal wire, the cost is therefore significantly lower.

Advantages:

We offer individual consultation for your application. We manufacture your clad wires according to your personal specifications.

For clad wires, a non-precious metal is generally coated with a precious metal. In most cases, the precious metal is a gold or platinum alloy. We can, however, offer our customers the reverse process.

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)

Applications:

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/technical data:

  • Good elastic properties
  • High conductivity
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Cost savings from reduced precious metal content
  • Highly ductile
  • Optimal joining
  • Highly wear resistant
  • Outstanding thermal resistance