Aluminum clad steel overhead grounding wire has excellent corrosion resistance. Its strength and conductivity remain unchanged in any atmosphere where aluminum is satisfactory, especially those known to be corrosive from industrial or atmospheric conditions.

This assurance against corrosion is obtained through the application of a thick covering of pure aluminum which provides a substantial barrier of protective metal. The cladding has a continuous, strong metallic bond to the steel core that will not crack or flake.

Aluminum clad steel wire also provides strength greater than or equal to other overhead ground wires. When used in a strand for overhead ground wire, this high strength permits greater span lengths, less sag and heavier loads under storm loading conditions.

Directly related to strength and sag performance is the lighter weight of aluminum clad steel wire. Due to its thick cladding of aluminum, aluminum clad steel wire is lighter that a steel strand of equivalent size. This lighter weight, combined with high strength, permits aluminum clad steel wire to be installed to the same sags as steel with correspondingly lower tensions and tower stresses on the towers or supporting structures.

STANDARDS

• ASTM A363 - Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Overhead Ground Wire Strand
• ASTM A475 - Zinc-Coated Steel Wire Strand
• ASTM A925 - Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Overhead Ground Wire Strand
• ASTM A855 - Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Wire Strand
• ASTM A640 - Zinc-Coated Steel Strand for Messenger Support of Figure 8 Cable

Application
Power lines, telephone lines, railway signals, communication lines, towers, masts.

Construction
Type M alumoclad guy strand is an economical, corrosion resistant buying material for use on overhead line structures. The thick cladding of aluminum on each wire protects the high-strength steel core from rusting and subsequent loss of strength. Costly maintenance is eliminated and the original safety factor of the guy is maintained throughout the life of the line.

The alumoclad steel wire used to make Type M guy strand is unique in that the aluminum cladding thickness is guaranteed to be no less than 10% of the wire radius. Thus, a thick corrosion barrier that is pure aluminum not zinc or and iron-aluminum alloy protects the steel core.

Another important feature of any coated or clad wire is the bond between the coating material and the base metal. In the case of alumoclad steel wire, the aluminum cladding and steel core are joined by a continuous ductile weld. This assures against cracking or separating of the protective aluminum form the steel core.

Type M alumoclad steel wire guy strand is easily handled and installed. It weighs less than any of the other high-strength guying materials.

Specifications

• A474 Standard Specification for Aluminum-Coated Steel Wire Strand

• B415 Standard Specification for Hard-Drawn Aluminum-Clad Steel Wire

• B416 Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminumclad Steel Conductors