8017, 8030, 8076 & 8176 Aluminium Alloy Wire Rod
8000-series aluminium alloy wire rod is electrical-grade aluminium with small, controlled additions of iron and, in some grades, copper or magnesium. The additions give annealed conductors better creep resistance, elongation and fatigue life than pure 1350 while keeping conductivity at about 61 % IACS, which is why these alloys are required for aluminium building wire in North America and widely used in power cables elsewhere. Metline supplies 8000-series rod and drawn wire worldwide.
- Grades
- 8017, 8030, 8076, 8130, 8176, 8177
- Conductivity
- ≥ 61 % IACS (annealed)
- Rod size
- Typically 9.5 mm coils
- Wire standard
- ASTM B800
Why 8000-series alloys exist
In the 1960s and early 1970s, branch-circuit wiring made from ordinary electrical-conductor aluminium (1350) gained a poor reputation. Connections at screws and terminals loosened over time because soft pure aluminium creeps under constant pressure, expands more than the brass and steel in the terminal, and forms an insulating oxide. Loose joints overheated. The industry responded with new conductor alloys and with terminals rated for aluminium.
The new alloys, registered in the 8000 series, add roughly 0.3 – 1.0 % iron, sometimes with small amounts of copper or magnesium. The iron forms fine intermetallic particles that pin the grain structure, so the annealed conductor resists creep and stress relaxation far better than 1350, bends more times before cracking, and keeps its clamping force at terminals. Conductivity remains in the same 61 % IACS class.
Today the US National Electrical Code requires aluminium building-wire conductors to be made from AA-8000 series electrical-grade alloy, and the same alloys are used in power cables, mobile-home feeders, service-entrance cables and aluminium alloy power cables in many other markets.
Chemical composition of 8000-series conductor alloys (wt %)
| Element | 8017 | 8030 | 8076 | 8130 | 8176 | 8177 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.03 – 0.15 | 0.10 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.55 – 0.80 | 0.30 – 0.80 | 0.60 – 0.90 | 0.40 – 1.0 | 0.40 – 1.0 | 0.25 – 0.45 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.10 – 0.20 | 0.15 – 0.30 | 0.04 | 0.05 – 0.15 | — | 0.04 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.01 – 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.08 – 0.22 | — | — | 0.04 – 0.12 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.05 |
| Boron (B) | 0.04 | 0.001 – 0.04 | 0.04 | — | — | 0.04 |
| Others, each | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Aluminium | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder |
Single values are maximums. Limits follow the Aluminum Association registrations referenced by ASTM B800; confirm the current edition for your order.
The grades fall into three groups. Al-Fe-Cu alloys (8017, 8030, 8130) use copper to raise strength and creep resistance. Al-Fe-Mg alloys (8076, 8177) use magnesium for the same purpose. Al-Fe alloy 8176 relies on iron alone with a small silicon range, and is one of the most widely produced grades. 8030 is a frequent choice for building wire in North America; 8176 and 8030 are common bases for aluminium alloy power cables elsewhere.
Mechanical and electrical properties
Wire rod is supplied as drawing stock; the finished properties are set when the rod is drawn to wire and annealed. ASTM B800 covers 8000-series wire in annealed (O) and intermediate (H1X and H2X) tempers. Approximate requirements:
| Wire temper | Tensile strength | Elongation | Resistivity at 20 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed (O) | ≈ 59 – 110 MPa (8.5 – 16 ksi) | Minimum set by diameter, typically ≥ 10 % | ≤ 0.028264 Ω·mm²/m (≥ 61.0 % IACS) |
| Intermediate (H1X / H2X) | ≈ 103 – 152 MPa (15 – 22 ksi) | Lower than O | ≤ 0.028264 Ω·mm²/m |
Indicative values; the exact limits by temper and diameter are given in the tables of ASTM B800. Chinese aluminium alloy cable conductors follow GB/T 30552, which sets its own strength and resistivity classes.
Physical properties (typical)
- Density
- 2.70 – 2.71 g/cm³
- Electrical conductivity
- ≈ 61 – 62 % IACS (annealed)
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- ≈ 23 µm/m·°C
- Rod diameter
- Typically 9.5 mm (3/8 in); larger sizes on request
How 8000-series rod becomes cable conductor
- Melt and alloyElectrical-grade aluminium is alloyed with iron and copper or magnesium, boron-treated to remove titanium and vanadium, and degassed and filtered.
- Continuous cast and rollThe melt is cast on a wheel or belt caster and rolled in line into 9.5 mm rod, coiled for shipment.
- DrawThe cable maker draws the rod to wire on multi-die machines.
- AnnealWire or strand is annealed in batch or continuous annealers to O or an intermediate temper; the annealing response of the iron-bearing alloy controls final elongation and creep.
- Strand, compact and insulateWires are stranded and often compacted, then insulated with PVC, XLPE or other compounds.
Where 8000-series conductors are used
- Building wire: feeders, service entrances and branch circuits (types such as XHHW-2, THHN/THWN and SER/SEU) where aluminium is permitted
- Power cables: low- and medium-voltage aluminium alloy cables for commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects
- Flexible and armoured cable: conductors that see repeated flexing or vibration during installation
- Solar and battery systems: DC and AC collection cables in utility-scale plants, where weight and cost favour aluminium
- Mobile homes and temporary power: feeders and service cables
For bare overhead conductors, 1350 (AAC, ACSR) and 6201 (AAAC) remain the usual alloys; 8000-series alloys are designed mainly for insulated conductors in the annealed or intermediate temper.
What to specify when buying alloy wire rod
- The exact alloy designation and the governing standard (ASTM B800, GB/T 30552 or a cable maker's specification)
- Rod diameter, coil weight, inner and outer coil dimensions, and pallet or skid requirements
- Conductivity requirement after annealing, and any limits on Ti + V
- Mechanical properties of the rod as delivered (tensile and elongation) for your drawing line
- Surface condition: free of oxide inclusions, laps and slivers that cause wire breaks
- Certificate content: chemistry per cast, resistivity and mechanical results, EN 10204 3.1
References and standards
- ASTM B800 – 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire for Electrical Purposes, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code – conductor material requirements for aluminium building wire
- GB/T 30552 – Aluminium alloy rod for electrical purposes
- ASTM B233 – Aluminum 1350 Drawing Stock for Electrical Purposes
8000-series aluminium (aluminum) alloy wire rod: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 8000-series alloy and 1350 aluminum?
Both have about 61 % IACS conductivity. 8000-series alloys add iron (and copper or magnesium in some grades) so that annealed wire creeps less, relaxes less under terminal pressure and has better elongation and bend life. 1350 is preferred for bare hard-drawn overhead conductors.
Which 8000-series grade should I choose?
Follow the cable standard or customer specification. 8030 and 8176 are the most widely produced; 8017, 8076, 8130 and 8177 are used where a cable maker's process or a specification calls for them. All meet the same conductivity class under ASTM B800.
Is 8000-series aluminium wire safe for building wiring?
Yes, when installed with connectors and terminals rated for aluminium (marked AL/CU or CO/ALR where applicable) and tightened to the specified torque. The alloys were developed specifically to fix the connection problems seen with early pure-aluminium building wire.
What size is 8000-series wire rod?
The standard drawing stock is 9.5 mm (3/8 in) rod in large coils. Other diameters can be supplied by agreement.
What certificates come with the rod?
A mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemical analysis per cast, resistivity and mechanical results. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
Do you export 8000-series wire rod?
Yes. Metline supplies alloy wire rod and drawn wire to cable makers worldwide, packed for sea freight, on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
Need 8000-series alloy rod?
Send the alloy, size, standard and quantity. Our team will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
