8030
Iron plus copper. The original building wire alloy and still widely used where cable specifications name it.
Electrical conductor guide
8030, 8076 and 8017 Aluminium Alloy Wire Rod for Electrical Conductors
8030, 8076, 8017 and 8176 are AA-8000 series aluminium conductor alloys: drawing stock that cable makers reduce to wire for building wire, service-entrance cable and flexible conductors. Small additions of iron, copper or magnesium give them far better creep resistance, ductility and termination behaviour than plain 1350 aluminium while keeping conductivity at about 61 % IACS. This guide covers the alloys, standards, rod sizes and how to specify them.
- Alloys
- 8030, 8076, 8017, 8176, 8177
- Conductivity
- ≈ 61 % IACS
- Wire standard
- ASTM B800
- Rod diameters
- 9.5 – 25 mm
Why 8000-series alloys exist
In the 1960s and early 1970s, building wire made from electrical-grade 1350 aluminium earned a poor reputation in North America. Under the screws of terminals designed for copper, the soft conductor crept and relaxed, joints loosened, oxidised and overheated. The answer was a new class of conductor alloys, now grouped as AA-8000 series, together with redesigned terminals.
8030 was the first, introduced in the early 1970s. Its iron and copper content forms stable particles that resist creep and stress relaxation, so a properly torqued connection keeps its clamping force. The alloy is also more ductile and fatigue-resistant than 1350, so it survives repeated bending during installation. 8076 uses iron and magnesium, 8017 iron, copper and a little magnesium, and 8176 iron with a small silicon content; all follow the same idea.
Since the 1980s the US National Electrical Code has required aluminium building wire for most insulation types to be made from AA-8000 series alloys. These conductors are now standard in feeders, service-entrance cable and large branch circuits, where their lower weight and cost compared with copper make the biggest difference.
Chemical composition of 8030, 8076, 8017 and 8176
| Element (wt %) | 8030 | 8076 | 8017 | 8176 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 | 0.03 – 0.15 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.30 – 0.80 | 0.60 – 0.90 | 0.55 – 0.80 | 0.40 – 1.00 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.15 – 0.30 | ≤ 0.04 | 0.10 – 0.20 | — |
| Magnesium (Mg) | ≤ 0.05 | 0.08 – 0.22 | 0.01 – 0.05 | — |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.10 |
| Boron (B) | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | — |
| Gallium (Ga) | — | — | — | ≤ 0.03 |
| Aluminium | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder |
Limits summarised from the Aluminum Association registrations referenced by ASTM B800. Minor elements and "others" limits differ by alloy; boron is added to tie up transition-metal impurities that would reduce conductivity. The current ASTM B800 edition and the mill certificate govern.
Wire rod specification
Typical 8000-series wire rod supply
- Alloys
- 8030, 8076, 8017, 8176, 8177 and other registered 8xxx conductor alloys
- Form
- Continuously cast and rolled redraw rod in coils
- Diameter
- 9.5 mm (3/8 in) is the most common; 7.5, 12, 15, 19 and 24 mm on request
- Temper
- As-rolled (F or H1x) drawing stock; finished wire is annealed (O) or intermediate temper after drawing
- Surface
- Free from cracks, laps, slivers, inclusions, oxide, oil and dirt that would cause breaks during drawing
- Coil packing
- Tightly strapped at three or more points around the coil, on pallets, with a tag showing alloy, size, lot and net weight
Most 8000-series conductor is made by drawing 9.5 mm rod through a series of dies to the final wire size, then annealing. Rod quality decides how many wire breaks occur in the drawing shop, so buyers look for consistent chemistry, low inclusion content, clean surface and uniform mechanical properties along the coil.
Electrical and mechanical properties
| Property | 8000-series conductor | EC-grade 1350 | Annealed copper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductivity (annealed) | ≈ 61 % IACS | ≈ 61 – 62 % IACS | 100 % IACS |
| Density | ≈ 2.71 g/cm³ | 2.705 g/cm³ | 8.89 g/cm³ |
| Creep / stress relaxation at terminals | Good, close to copper | Poor | Excellent |
| Bending fatigue | Good | Fair | Very good |
| Typical use | Building wire, cable, flexible cords | Overhead conductors, busbar, rod for drawing | All wiring |
ASTM B800 sets tensile strength ranges, minimum elongation and maximum resistivity for each wire temper and diameter. Because finished properties depend heavily on drawing and annealing practice, the cable maker's wire test results, not the rod values, are what show compliance.
Standards for 8000-series conductors
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM B800 | 8000-series aluminium alloy wire for electrical purposes, annealed and intermediate tempers |
| ASTM B801 | Concentric-lay-stranded conductors of 8000-series aluminium alloy for later covering |
| UL 83 / UL 44 / UL 854 | Insulated building wire and service-entrance cable that use these conductors |
| NFPA 70 (NEC) | Requires AA-8000 series alloy for most aluminium building wire conductors |
| EN 573-3 | Chemical composition of wrought aluminium alloys, including 8xxx |
Where 8030 and 8076 conductors are used
- Building wire: THHN/THWN-2 and XHHW-2 feeders and branch circuits in commercial and residential buildings
- Service-entrance and underground cable: SE, USE-2 and URD constructions
- Metal-clad and armoured cable: MC and similar constructions for commercial wiring
- Flexible and portable cords: where bending fatigue resistance matters
- Solar and wind: DC collection and inverter feeder cables on utility-scale sites
- Industrial plants and data centres: large feeders where weight and cost savings over copper add up
Good practice still matters: use terminals rated for aluminium (marked AL7CU or AL9CU), apply oxide-inhibiting compound where the manufacturer specifies it, and torque connections to the stated value.
Choosing between 8030, 8076, 8176 and 1350
8076
Iron plus magnesium, no deliberate copper. Chosen by cable makers who prefer a copper-free chemistry.
8176
Iron with controlled silicon, simple to produce; common in building wire and some overhead and solar cables.
8017 / 8177
Other registered variants with small Cu, Mg or B additions, specified by individual cable designs.
1350
Highest conductivity, but poor creep behaviour at screw terminals. Used for overhead lines, busbar and utility cable rather than building wire.
6101 / 6201
Heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si conductor alloys with much higher strength, used for all-aluminium-alloy overhead conductors (AAAC).
How to order 8000-series wire rod
- SpecifyAlloy (for example 8030 or 8176), standard (ASTM B800 drawing stock), rod diameter and required properties.
- QuoteWe confirm chemistry, rod properties, coil weight and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectCoils are checked for diameter, surface and tag information; chemistry and mechanical results are recorded per lot.
- DocumentAn EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate accompanies every shipment; third-party inspection on request.
- ShipStrapped coils on pallets, protected from moisture, shipped in containers to your plant.
References and standards
- ASTM B800 – Standard Specification for 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire for Electrical Purposes, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers
- ASTM B801 – Concentric-Lay-Stranded Conductors of 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy for Subsequent Covering or Insulation
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code – conductor material requirements
- NEMA – The Evolution of Aluminum Conductors Used for Building Wire and Cable
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
8000-series aluminium (aluminum) wire rod: frequently asked questions
What is AA-8000 series aluminium wire?
It is building wire and cable made from 8xxx conductor alloys such as 8030, 8076 and 8176. Small Fe, Cu or Mg additions give better creep resistance and ductility than 1350 while keeping about 61 % IACS conductivity.
Is 8030 aluminium wire safe for building wiring?
Yes, when installed with terminals rated for aluminium and torqued correctly. The 8000-series alloys were developed to fix the loosening problems of early 1350 building wire, and codes such as the US NEC require them.
What is the difference between 8030 and 8176?
8030 is strengthened by iron and copper; 8176 by iron with controlled silicon and no copper. Both meet ASTM B800 and perform similarly in building wire; cable specifications and maker preference decide the choice.
What size is aluminium wire rod?
9.5 mm (3/8 in) is the standard redraw rod size. Larger diameters such as 12, 15, 19 and 24 mm are used for heavy conductors, rolled sections or special drawing lines.
Can 8000-series alloy replace copper?
For many feeders and large branch circuits, yes. An aluminium conductor must be about two sizes larger for the same ampacity but still weighs about half as much and usually costs less.
Do you supply wire rod with certificates?
Yes. Metline supplies 8000-series and EC-grade rod worldwide with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates showing chemistry and properties.
Need 8000-series wire rod?
Send the alloy, rod diameter and quantity. Our team will reply with a specification and delivered price.
