Enameled Rectangular & Square Aluminum Wire
EMPIS Material B12B20 identifies a high conductivity rectangular and square aluminum wire, similar to UNS A91350 and
ASTM B 324 Alloy 1350, as follows:
EMPIS designation Description
B12B20A Annealed (O)
B12B20C 1/2 hard (H14)
B12B20C9 1/2 hard (special tensile strength)
B12B20M1 Annealed (O), special rounded corners
B12B20M2 1/2 hard (H14), special rounded corners
B12B20M3 1/2 hard (special tensile strength), special rounded corners
REFERENCED DOCUMENTS:
ASTM B 193 ………………….. Standard Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials
ASTM B 324 ………………….. Standard Specification for Aluminum Rectangular and Square Wire for Electrical Purposes
ASTM B 557 …………………. Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing Wrought and Cast Aluminum- and
Magnesium-Alloy Products
ASTM E 34 …………………… Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum-Base Alloys
EMPIS B35B13………………. Comparative Characteristics: Aluminum Alloy Wrought Products
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: % (1)
Aluminum, min ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
99.50
Boron, max ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 0.05
Chromium, max ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 0.01
Copper, max …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 0.05
Gallium, max …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 0.03
Iron, max ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 0.40
Manganese, max …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 0.01
Silicon, max ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 0.10
Vanadium plus titanium, max …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 0.02
Zinc, max ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 0.05
Other elements, each, max ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 0.03
Other elements, total, max ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 0.10
(1) Analysis shall regularly be made only for the elements specified in this table. If, however, the presence of other
elements is suspected or indicated in amounts greater than the specified limits, further analysis shall be made to
determine that these elements are not present in excess of the specified limits.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:
B12B20A, M1
B12B20C, M2
B12B20C9, M3
Tensile strength, ksi …………………………………………………………… 8.5–14.0 15.0–20.0 17.0–21.0
Bend test – All material shall be capable of being bent cold edgewise 180 degrees around a mandrel whose diameter is one
half the width of the material being bent. There shall be no evidence of cracking of the material being bent.
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES:
B12B20A, M1
B12B20C, C9, M2, M3
Resistivity, ohm–cir mil/ft, max ………………………………………………………….. 16.782 16.919
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Material – The material shall be of uniform quality and temper, clean, bright, sound, smooth and free from pipes, laps, cracks,
kinks, twists, seams, damaged ends and other injurious imperfections or defects within the limits of good commercial
practice.
Joints – Joints may be made in the wire prior to final drawing by electrical butt welding in accordance with best commercial
practices. No joints shall be made during final drawing nor in the finished wire.
Surface cleanliness – Unless special cleaning is specified, EMPIS Materials B12B20A and B12B20M1 may have a slight
coating of loose aluminum flake and aluminum oxide dust and EMPIS Materials B12B20C and B12B20M2 may have a
light coating of oil in which is a small amount of aluminum flake and aluminum oxide dust.
EMPIS Materials B12B20C, C9 , M2 and M3 – Shall be capable of being annealed dead soft when heated to 375 °C and held
at temperature for 15 minutes
EMPIS Materials B12B20C9 and B12B20M3 – Shall be furnished in size 0.390 inch by 0.150 inch only.
Edge finish and contour (EMPIS Materials B12B20A, C and C9 only) – Shall be a finished edge with corners rounded to an
approximate quarter circle of a radius shown in the table below. The arc shall not necessarily be tangent to the flats, but
the material shall be commercially free from sharp, rough or projecting edges.
Edge finish and contour (EMPIS Materials B12B20A, C and C9 only): (Continued)
Density – For purpose of calculating weights, cross-section, etc., the density shall be taken as 0.0975 lb/inch3 (2.705 g/cm3)
at 68 °F (20 °C).
TERMINOLOGY:
Wire – A solid wrought product that is long in relation to its cross section, which is square or rectangular with sharp or
rounded corners or edges, or is round, a regular hexagon or a regular octagon, and whose diameter or greatest
perpendicular distance between parallel faces (except for flattened wire) is less than 0.375 inch.
REFEREE METHODS:
Chemical composition ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ASTM E 34 (4)
Electrical resistivity ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ASTM B 193
Tension test ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ASTM B 557
(2) Spectrochemical and other methods of analysis offer means of determining chemical composition; however, in case
of dispute and unless otherwise agreed upon by purchaser and supplier, ASTM E 34 shall be the basis for
acceptance or rejection of material for chemical composition.
TOLERANCES (EMPIS Materials B12B20A, C and C9 only):
(3) Measured to the nearest 0.001 inch.
TOLERANCES (EMPIS Materials B12B20M1, M2 and M3 only):
TOLERANCES (EMPIS Materials B12B20M1, M2 and M3 only): (continued)
TOLERANCES (EMPIS Materials B12B20M1, M2 and M3 only): (continued)
(4) Width and thickness tolerances: 0.000” – 0.199” = ± 0.002”; 0.200” – 1.000” = ± 0.003”.
(5) Radii tolerances are ± 25%.
APPROVAL:
Final approval of material furnished to this specification is based on an evaluation by the purchaser. After approval has been
given, changes in material composition or manufacturing processes are not allowed without notification of the purchaser
in writing and reapproval of this material by the purchaser.
CERTIFICATE OF TEST:
When requested, the supplier shall submit promptly to the purchaser at the point of delivery a certificate of test showing the
results of those tests for any one or more of the requirements of this specification as specified by the purchaser. This
certificate shall be addressed to the section, unit, or person specified on the purchase order, and shall contain the EMPIS
designation, the purchase order number, and the quantity shipped so that the certificate may be identified with the
shipment.
PACKING AND MARKING:
Material shall be properly separated by size for shipment, and shall be packed in such a manner as to be suitably protected
from injury or loss during shipment.
Each box, crate, bundle, etc., shall be legibly marked with the purchase order number, the manufacturer’s name, weight, size
and the EMPIS designation.
DOCUMENT REVISION STATUS:
Rev Description Revision date
S4 Previous revision 1992 Mar 31
S5 Added designations B12B20M1, M2 and M3 2011 Sep 30