Storage of copper wire

I think the cause is the oxidization of the bare wire. Try to keep your bare wire isolated from oxygen ,such as a room filled with nitrogen.

As a result of Mr. Tang's statement and knowing that oxidation on just drawn, bright clean copper is only about 3 Angstroms thick, I have contacted copper metallurgists through Copper Development Association to learn the following:

(1) What would be the anticipated thickness of copper oxide after 6 weeks of storage.

(2) If they ever heard of the situation as gan described it.

(3) What they think of Mr. Tang's suggestion that it is the result of oxidation.

I should get a reply early next week.

gan

(a) I need to know from you what the diameter range of the copper conductors you have seen this phenomenon on. (No longer required, see page 2)

(b) Please remember that filling a storage room with nitrogen is life threatening to any employee going into that room. Nitrogen is clear, colorless, without odor and makes up 78% (volume) of our atmosphere. That makes pure nitrogen in an enclosed space extremely dangerous.

As an experiment, it would be just as easy to heat seal a few spools of copper in heavy polyethylene bags filled with nitrogen.

Sincerely,
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com

Moderators Note

The discussion on grain size and orientation has been carried forward in the Forums thread www.wirenet.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?forum=12&topic=219

Thank you.

Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com