Speaker
Description
It is important to minimize the density of all materials in electric aircraft, which includes materials selected for structural and electrical conductor components. Thus, aluminum (Al) alloys are chosen for the airplane skin and many of the internal support members. Pure Al has two key advantages for use as the prime electrical conductor: low density and good electrical conductivity. At very low temperatures and in a magnetic field, the conductivity advantage increases, and at 20K, this advantage can be substantially better than pure copper (Cu). The results reported include strength and resistivity of high RRR Al and dilute Al alloy from room temperature to 4.2 K. Information regarding the degradation of resistivity with cryogenic cyclic strain is included. The results presented should help with the evaluation of pure Al for use at cryogenic temperatures in electric airplanes.
