None electrically conductive stainless steel

Jul 17, 2017 6 Replies

Is there such a thing, if so I have never heard of it. I am aware that its conductivity is not good (3 to 10% of that of copper), depending on the type, but not conducting - I have never heard of. Anyone?


No such thing, but it can be hard to make a contact if you're using a multimeter. Stainless is essentially so because of the Chromium content which forms a hard surface layer of oxide which is non-conducting.

Cheers

Correct. High electrical and thermal conductivity is an intrinsic property of metals, it is to do with the way that electrons behave in a lattice comprised of metal atoms.

About the lowest electrical conductivity of convenient metals is the alloy, Nichrome. In arbitrary units

Nichrome = 1 Stainless steel = 100 Copper = 200

Thanks both, it is as I thought. Just something someone had said, which contradicted that understanding.

They were perhaps getting confused with the magnetic properties of SS in the context of induction hobs?

Brian Gaff explained on 18/07/2017 :

A sanity check, after someone argued there was a version of SS which was an insulator.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required