In this topic, you study Fuse Wire Material.
Metals like tin, lead, zinc, silver, antimony, copper and aluminium can be used for fuse elements. However, metals with low melting points like tin, lead, zinc or lead-tin alloys are found more suitable for this purpose. The main objection for the lead-tin alloys is that these alloys being soft are apt to spread under pressure. The most preferred lead-tin alloys for a fuse element contain 37 % lead and 63 % tin. Normally, lead-tin alloy wire is not used beyond 10 amperes because with higher currents, a wire with a large diameter will be required and after fusing, the metal released will be excessive. Copper wire is most suitable for higher currents. The present trend, however, is to use silver for higher currents despite its higher cost as it is comparatively free from oxidation.
