Companies are switching from copper to aluminium due to rising copper prices. Aluminium is about a quarter of the price of copper, although it is not as efficient, with only 61% of copper’s conductivity.
Why the Switch?
Companies consider swapping the two metals when the copper-to-aluminium price ratio moves to between 3.5 to 4.0 or above. This ratio hit a record of 4.3 in January and is currently at about 4.2.
Aluminium is also desirable for autos and especially electric vehicles (EVs), where cutting weight results in longer driving ranges. Several companies, including Ferrari, BMW, and Tesla, have started using aluminium wiring in their vehicles.
Industry Examples
Daikin Industries, the world’s largest air conditioning manufacturer, is maximizing cost reductions by switching from copper to aluminium. Lennox International has developed technology to replace copper coils with aluminium in air conditioners, heat pumps, and evaporator coils.
Carrier Global has moved to aluminium coil technology for all its coastal air conditioning and heat pump models to improve corrosion resistance.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
