6101 aluminum alloy (UNS A96101) is a heat-treatable forging Al-Mg-Si alloy with moderate strength and high conductivity, primarily used for electrical busbars and conductor applications.
Plating on aluminum busbars is crucial for enhancing their surface conductivity, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, solderability, and aesthetic appeal—characteristics that bare aluminum cannot reliably provide, as it forms a non-conductive oxide layer quickly.
Can aluminum be used for busbar?
Aluminum is indeed an ideal material for busbars and is widely used in modern power distribution systems. Although aluminum’s electrical conductivity is about 62% of copper, its significantly lower density and material cost make it the preferred choice for large-scale installations, as weight and budget are key factors.
6101 is a heat-treatable forged aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy that combines medium mechanical strength with high electrical and thermal conductivity.