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Re: Skin effect and aluminum question (fwd)





---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 09:50:12 -0800
From: "Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz" <acmq-at-compuland-dot-com.br>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Skin effect and aluminum question (fwd)

Chip Atkinson wrote:

> I have seen it mentioned on the list that aluminum is a poor choice of
> conductor because the oxide layer that forms on the surface is an
> insulator, and that if, for example, your oxide layer is 0.001" thick and
> your frequency is such that you only have current going through the top
> 0.006" of the conductor, you will then lose 1/6 of your available conductor.
> 
> However, I fail to see the difference between Al2O3 on the surface acting
> as an insulator and a coat of varnish on the surface.  Both the Al2O3
> coating and the varnish coating don't conduct, and are unaffected by
> magnetic fields.

The current will just flow below the insulating layer. Oxide or varnish over
a conductor is no problem at all.

Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz
mailto:acmq-at-compuland-dot-com.br
http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq