The application of graphene materials in the production process of cables enables cables to have higher ampacity, lower loss, better corrosion resistance and aging resistance, which can meet the demand for high-performance cables in power transmission, communication and other fields. Graphene has excellent electrical conductivity, with the highest carrier mobility at room temperature. Its resistivity is lower than copper (a raw material used in the production of wire and cable conductors in China) or silver.
It is precisely because graphene has excellent conductivity and other characteristics that its application in cable conductors can increase the conductivity of the same conductor. Conductivity is a key factor in measuring the quality of wires and cables, so graphene has attracted attention from the wire and cable industry and has also obtained national patents.
Graphene cable products developed and used by our own company:
The testing report far exceeds the national standard.
Comparison of comprehensive performance between graphene cable and aluminum cable, ordinary aluminum alloy cable, and copper cable:
|
Cable Type |
Copper core cable |
aluminium cable |
Ordinary aluminum alloy cable |
Graphene aluminum alloy cable |
notes |
|
conductor material |
Electrical copper |
Electrical aluminum |
Electrical aluminum alloy |
Electrical Graphene Aluminum Alloy |
Graphene aluminum alloy for electrical purposes contains various trace alloying elements such as iron, copper, magnesium, and graphene, making it particularly suitable for use as cable conductors |
|
Electrical performance
|
|
resistivity（Ω·mm2/m） |
0.017241 |
0.028264 |
Average value 0.028264
Individual value 0.028450
|
Typical value 0.0268 |
Graphene aluminum alloy cables can achieve or exceed the electrical performance of copper cables by adding suitable trace alloying elements and processing (increasing the cross-sectional area of copper cables by about 1.1-1.2 times), resulting in higher current carrying capacity and lower voltage drop. |
|
Current carrying capacity |
tall |
low |
low |
After replacing copper cables, it is about 2% -15% higher than copper cables, with a larger margin of use and greater safety |
|
Voltage drop |
low |
tall |
tall |
After replacing copper cables, it saves about 4% energy and reduces line losses compared to copper cables. |
|
Mechanical properties of conductors
|
|
extensibility |
25% |
1.5-3% |
10% |
30% |
Graphene aluminum alloy cables have higher elongation (the data in the table is a general requirement), better mechanical properties, and comparable creep resistance to copper cables. They operate stably and reliably like copper cables. |
|
fatigue resistance |
Bend 90 ° about 20 times |
Bend 90 ° about 10 times |
Bend 90 ° about 20 times |
Bend 90 ° about 30 times |
|
creep resistance |
excellent |
differ from |
general |
Creep deformation is equivalent to copper |
|
Installation performance
|
|
Rebound elasticity |
Large |
Large (brittle) |
Large |
At room temperature, the rebound angle is only about 30% of that of copper cables |
Graphene aluminum alloy cables provide convenient conditions for installation and construction due to their low rebound, good flexibility, light weight, and small bending radius. At the same time, their strong bending resistance effectively avoids damage to the cables during installation, greatly ensuring the safe and normal operation of the cables. |
|
flexibility |
general |
differ from |
general |
xcellent |
|
bending radius |
10D～20D |
10D～20D |
10D～20D |
≥7D |
|
weight |
weight |
light |
light |
light |
|
Usage performance
|
|
Connection point with control cabinet |
stability |
Extremely unstable |
instability |
Small creep deformation variable, as stable as copper cable |
The performance of graphene aluminum alloy cable is the same as that of copper core cable, and it operates safely, stably and reliably. Due to the better conductor and insulation materials used, its service life is longer. |
|
Corrosion resistance |
excellent |
differ from |
differ from |
excellent |
|
Flame retardancy and fire resistance |
Design flame retardant A-level fire resistance |
Only flame retardant |
Only flame retardant |
Design flame retardant A-level fire resistance |
|
safety performance |
excellent |
differ from |
differ from |
excellent |
|
Design Life |
30 |
Short lifespan |
Short lifespan |
40 |
|
economics
|
|
cost-effectiveness |
low |
High maintenance costs |
High maintenance costs |
tall |
Graphene aluminum alloy cables have higher cost-effectiveness, with lower direct procurement and maintenance costs. |
In the above comprehensive report, a comparison can clearly express the advantages and application scenarios of graphene composite cables, which can achieve the replacement of copper with aluminum.
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