Is Aluminum a Good Resistor?

A resistor is an electrical component that restricts the flow of electric current in a circuit. It does so by transforming electric energy to heat, thereby reducing the quantity of current passing through it. When selecting materials for resistors, many factors should be put into consideration among them being resistance, durability and cost-effectiveness. The main goal of this article is to find out if aluminum can act good as material for resistor.

Electrical Resistance of Aluminum : 

Aluminum is infamous for its great conductivity which implies that it allows the flow of electricity with minimal hindrance. This characteristic makes aluminum very suitable for use in wires and cables where high electrical conductance is needed. This property becomes disadvantageous when used as a resistor however because since aluminium has low electrical resistance as compared to other materials commonly used in making resisters like carbon or metal alloys it can’t limit well flow of current in a circuit. 

Durability of Aluminum Resistors:

One advantage of using aluminum for resistors is its durability. Resistance to corrosion and ability to withstand extremely high temperatures are some properties of Aluminum that makes it durable. For these reasons, Aluminum resistors are perfect for applications where there’s exposure to harsh environments or high temperature conditions are expected. Furthermore, the pliability and strength that aluminum possesses can allow it to take different shapes unlike other substances hence giving more room for engineers who wish to include resistors within their circuits designs. 

Cost-Effectiveness of Aluminum Resistors: 

Another aspect worth examining when assessing whether aluminum will work effectively as resistor material is cost effectiveness or not . Generally speaking, Aluminium costs less than other substances such as Platinum and Silver used in making resisters. Thus, mass production processes would often consider going with cheap resister made from aluminium with limited budget.

In conclusion, even though there are some advantages associated with using aluminium as a material for making resistors such as endurance and economical pricing, the electrical resistance possessed by it makes it not suitable for use in conventional resister applications. Alternatively, Aluminium is better suited to be applied as a conductor where high electrical conductivities are required such as wires and cables. For them to achieve effective current limitation, other materials having higher electrical resistances should be considered instead.