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Wire degradation over age

3.8K views 33 replies 8 participants last post by  JohnnyOhh  
#1 ·
Is this something that’s actually possible? I don’t mean oxidation either. I am meaning wire sitting inside its silicon surround? I am more curious to how this is possible and why and is there facts to prove this if this is a real thing?
 
#2 ·
There are WAY too many factors involved to make a blanket statement on this...

Wire composition
Insulation composition
Storage climate
Age, etc.

But, yes... everything breaks down over time.

FWIW - The insulation breaks down first (which is much more of a consideration in HV wire than LV audio cables) and is why electric utilities have to reconductor periodically.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
#3 ·
I have a pieces of knukonceptz wire laying beside my house.
They have been there since like 2012 or 2013.
The jacket is bleached on the up side.
The under side still has color. The wire inside was ofc and supposedly silver tinned.
The wire looks just like it did when I cut and threw it over in the pile.
Other pieces of wire Memphis audio specifically that was just bare ofc.
The jacket will probably never breakdown naturally. It is still orange and flexible like it was ten years ago.
But the wire is done for. Done. Green. Dust.
I can wipe the dirt off the knukonceptz stuff and the wire is still whole.
 
#6 ·
Yep...it's the very reason to use aluminum or silver to tin the strands.
Strait copper will corrode. Like a penny. But there is not enough mass In the tiny strands.
So they get brittle and break at the very least.
Marine brass terminals work better too.
They start to look cool after a couple months too. With is also oxidation but a different kind. I don't remember the science but learned the difference in manufacturing vapor devices.
 
#11 ·
I have some 1/0 and 4 AWG Monster Cable OFC from 2004 or 2005 that's still copper-colored, shiny, and measures as good as new 1/0 and 4 AWG I have. If the copper truly is OFC it will take FOREVER to oxidize because there's no oxygen in it to oxidize.
 
#12 ·
I meant to reference aluminum wire. Like the kind that was used in homes in the past. Still is used in homes?
I have a hunting trailer that is a mobile home from from the 70s. The supply line is all aluminum I believe.
Makes the bill higher and house run less efficiently is what the guy that put the new box in said.
Nothing has been changed or updated at all. I'm not sure if aluminum can be used in tinning.
I'm not sure what all metals are used at all really.
But I do know that knukonceptz makes wire that will easily out last the vehicle. In any conditions.
It is the only wire I will buy from now on.
Maybe an equivalent if they go out of biz.
 
#13 ·
I meant to reference aluminum wire. Like the kind that was used in homes in the past. Still is used in homes?
I have a hunting trailer that is a mobile home from from the 70s. The supply line is all aluminum I believe.
Makes the bill higher and house run less efficiently is what the guy that put the new box in said.
Nothing has been changed or updated at all. I'm not sure if aluminum can be used in tinning.
I'm not sure what all metals are used at all really.
But I do know that knukonceptz makes wire that will easily out last the vehicle. In any conditions.
It is the only wire I will buy from now on.
Maybe an equivalent if they go out of biz.
That's just OFC. You could buy welding cable and save a TON of money. I also don't like that Knu uses grossly oversized cable making fitting a pain sometimes
 
#27 ·
IDK wTF kind of tinned wire you guys are using ut the Knu Conceptz wire i have, the T-Spec tinned wire.. all my tinned wire is tinned with Tin.. cant believe it right? Yes it is not as conductive as copper but its worth it to me as i have had corrosion issues with copper.. try soldering copper and it will corrode..