Resistivity - Cost
Class level
Metals and alloys
Ceramics
Polymers
Wood and wood products
Composites
General Information
- This chart is important for designing components requiring good electrical insulation (e.g. plug casings) or good electrical conductivity (e.g. electric power cables) at a good price
- Good electrical conductors are usually good thermal conductors and good electrical insulators are good thermal insulators
- The similarity between electrical and thermal properties means that the chart can also be used to identify materials requiring good thermal insulation (e.g. for kiln walls) or thermal conductivity (e.g. for frying pans)
Physical Insights
- Metals are much better conductors than other materials because they have metallic bonds in which valence electrons are pooled. These electrons are free to move and carry current
- Pure metals are much better conductors than alloys - this is because electrons travelling through the material are obstructed by irregularities such as alloying atoms
- Polymers and ceramics are good insulators because they are covalently bonded and so their electrons are all tightly bound
- Semiconductors are ‘doped’ with elements which provide extra electrons (n-type) or provide positive holes (p-type) which can move freely
Example Uses
- Gold and silver have the best conductivities but are too expensive to be widely used, except as connectors in electronic applications
- In general the next best materials, copper and aluminium, are used (e.g. electric cables)
- Polymers like urea formaldehyde are insulators, and are used in electrical components to protect the user (e.g. light switch casings)
Simple Questions
- Why is copper used instead of brass for electric cables?
- Why do metals feel cold to touch?
- Select materials for an electric drill body.
- Select materials for the main body of a 13A fuse.
- Select materials for a cavity wall or attic insulation.
Further Questions
- If polymers are bad insulators why do trees get struck by lightning?
- Why must silicon used in semiconductors be really pure?
- Why do electronic components get hot?
There are 2 separate populations for this class to improve clarity. Move the mouse over different parts of the class name to reveal each one.
Select chart: