Classification of conducting materials:

Electrical resistivity of a conducting material or conductor ranges from 10^-8 to 10^-3 ohm-m. A good conducting material should have these following properties:

1.      Electrical properties: Good conductivity, low loss of electrical energy in the form of heat, low temperature coefficient of resistance.

2.      Mechanical properties: Ductility, solder ability, resistance to corrosion, capability to withstand stress and strains and easy to fabricate.

3.      Economic factors: Low cost, east availability and easy to manufacturing.

Based on the above factors the conducting materials can be classified as:

1.      Low resistivity materials

2.      High resistivity materials