Fujikura to Provide Copper Clad Aluminium Wire to Automobiles

Fujikura aims to make its copper clad aluminium wire (CA wire) adopted into automobiles. CA wire is an aluminium wire covered by thin copper plate whose weight is lighter by above 40% than copper wire while whose connective reliability is secured by copper clad layer. Fujikura now provides 2 kinds of CA wire with 15% and 5% copper cross section to automakers and auto parts makers.CA wire with 15% copper cross section is lighter by 39% than copper wire while CA wire with 5% copper cross section is lighter by 47%. Diameter of 15% CA wire is wider by 22% than copper wire and 5% CA wire is wider by 26% since electric conductivity of aluminium is less than copper.CA wire can be connected with other terminals by the same method as copper wire. Aluminium wire’s surface is easily oxidized and the oxide layer causes the increase of electric resistance. CA wire’s copper clad layer solves this problem which can also be soldered.Fujikura’s 15% CA wire has been used for magnet wire and coaxial cable so far. The firm aims to provide CA wire to automotive industry as well. Japanese automakers including Toyota Motors are recently trying to lighten auto bodies and parts for better fuel efficiency. Then Japanese major electric cable makers are developing lither wires and cables with aluminium conductivity or thinner copper conductivity.