Al-Mg Wire (Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy Wire)
1. Common CCA Wire Diameters & Reel Sizes
| Wire Diameter | Common Applications | Typical Reel Size | Reel Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.12 mm | Braided shielding (coaxial, LAN, HDMI, USB) | ABS φ200–250 mm | 2–5 kg (fine wire) |
| 0.18 mm | Braiding, flexible stranded wires (e.g., 16×0.18mm) | ABS φ250 mm | 5–10 kg |
| 0.20 mm | Stranded cores (7×0.20mm, 16×0.20mm), speaker/audio wire | ABS φ250 mm | 5–10 kg (bulk use) |
2. Key Features
Composition: Aluminum with 0.3%–5% magnesium
Lightweight: Much lighter than copper, reducing overall cable weight
High Tensile Strength: Stronger than pure aluminum wire
Corrosion Resistant: Magnesium enhances anti-corrosion properties
Good Conductivity: Slightly lower than pure aluminum, but sufficient for many electrical applications
Excellent Flexibility: Suitable for braiding and twisting
3. Applications
Braided shielding in coaxial and LAN cables
Grounding wires and shield mesh
Overhead transmission lines (especially in coastal or industrial environments)
Automotive and aerospace wiring
High-frequency signal transmission where weight and flexibility matter
4. Types (by temper)
Hard (H18): For strong tensile requirements
Soft (O): For flexible applications like braiding
5. CCS vs. CCA vs. CCAM vs. Al-Mg Wire Comparison Table
| Property | CCS (Copper-Clad Steel) | CCA (Copper-Clad Aluminum) | CCAM (Copper-Clad Al-Mg) | Al-Mg (Aluminum-Magnesium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Material | Steel | Aluminum | Aluminum-Magnesium alloy | Aluminum-Magnesium alloy |
| Conductivity | ★☆☆ (~20–40% IACS) | ★★☆ (~60% IACS) | ★★☆ (~55–65% IACS) | ★☆☆ (~50–60% IACS) |
| Tensile Strength | ★★★ (Very High) | ★☆ (Low) | ★★☆ (Medium-High) | ★★☆ (Medium-High, varies by temper) |
| Weight | ★☆☆ (Heaviest) | ★★★ (Very Light) | ★★☆ (Light) | ★★★ (Lightest) |
| Flexibility | ★☆ (Poor) | ★★☆ (Moderate) | ★★☆ (Good) | ★★★ (Excellent, soft temper) |
| Solderability | ★★☆ (Good – copper surface) | ★★☆ (Good – copper surface) | ★★☆ (Good – copper surface) | ☆☆☆ (Poor – bare aluminum) |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★★☆ (Good, copper clad) | ★★ (Moderate) | ★★☆ (Better than CCA) | ★★★ (Excellent) |
| Cost | ★☆ (Low-Mid) | ★★ (Low) | ★★☆ (Mid) | ★★☆ (Low-Mid) |
| Common Uses | Coaxial core, grounding, telecom drop lines | LAN, coaxial, speaker wire | HDMI, USB, flexible LAN | Braided shielding, overhead cables |
6. Quick Summary
CCS: Best for strength and anti-theft; suitable for coaxial cable cores and grounding wires; poor flexibility and low conductivity.
CCA: Economical for LAN, coaxial, and speaker wires; moderate performance, low weight.
CCAM: Balanced option with better strength and flexibility than CCA; ideal for high-flex applications like HDMI/USB.
Al-Mg: Best weight-to-strength ratio; widely used in braided shielding and aerial cables; not solderable.
