On a standalone basis copper has been in use after the invention of the electromagnet and telegraph since 1820. The use became widespread after the invention of telephone in 1876.

The utility of copper is chiefly because of its high thermal and electrical conductivity. Unalloyed pure copper, instead of as an alloy has been used extensively as electrical wire conductors.

Subsequently, however, the addition of nickel to copper achieved widespread acceptance in industry, because the alloy displayed excellent resistance to marine resistance and bio-fouling.

Bio-fouling or biological fouling refers to degradation of underwater pipes and other material surfaces by organisms such as barnacles and algae.

The addition of nickel to copper enhances the strength and durability considerably, as also resistance to corrosion and erosion in natural waters and sea waters.

It is for these reasons nickel copper wire has found wide-ranging use in marine and salt water environments, for example at oil rigs and platforms.

But the relevance of nickel copper wire goes well beyond marine applications. Heating cables is another area where copper nickel wire is seeing preferred application.

The growth of wire consumption is driven mainly by the ongoing economic progress in India. The main consumers for the wire and cable industry are telecommunications, construction, and automotive segments.

The telecommunications market in this country is the third largest in the world. This sector is expected to get more stimuli by the governments’ initiatives to boost use of internet and ecommerce.

As it is, India already has huge potential in segments like mining, cement, power and some more, where different varieties of cables and wires are needed.

But for players in the wire industry, challenges abound. Two of the prominent ones are increasing prices and competition from the Chinese.   Smaller player have to improve quality standards so that their products conform to ISI and BSI.

This is especially true of nickel copper wire.

Good ductility is an essential component in wire manufacture. Copper when alloyed with nickel greatly improves strength and corrosion without compromising on ductility properties.

Two main alloys presently in use are:

•    90% copper, 10% nickel alloy
•    70% copper, 30% nickel alloy

The latter offers better corrosion resistance, but the 90% copper, 10% nickel alloy has found greater applications in the industry for being less expensive.

The other alloys in the market are copper with 30% nickel, copper with 25% nickel and 0.05 -0.4% manganese, and copper with 45% nickel.

The last named alloy is also called constantan. Constantan is used extensively to form thermocouples with wires made of iron, copper or chromel.

Nickel copper wire production will continue to see growth as this segment is aligned with certain specific industry verticals. Newer inventions in the telecommunications arena can see innovative uses of nickel copper wire, specifically in the marine environment where stringent resistance to corrosion and erosion in natural waters and sea waters cannot be compromised.

Today India and China are huge markets, because both the countries have a common need – and that is electricity and communications.