ACS (Aluminium clad steel) : The Covered aluminium steel wire by compression, internationally known as Aluminium Clad Steel (ACS), is a wire of high resistance whose cover is carried through an extrusion process, that adheres the aluminuim by pressure and heat. The obtained product has a layer of covering of at least 10% of the total wire radius, and not less than 25% of its whole cross-section. Once the covering process is finished, the wire is drawn until its final diameter without any alternation in the aluminium steel ratio. Its properties combine high relation resistance-weight, what it makes of this product the best solution for electrical applications.
Due to its characteristics, this product is used extensively in the cable industry for the manufacturing of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), conventional stranded earth wires and steel reinforced cores for phase conductors, all to be used in overhead lines. Also it can be used in alternative applications as helical hardware for overhead lines or those where the resistance to the corrosion is an important factor.
ACS wire classification : According to main international standard (IEC- 1232, EN-61232 and ASTM B-415), ACS wire is classified in 4 types based an aluminium cladding thickness.