Primary 99.85% Aluminum is a high-precision commercially pure aluminum ingot with a nominal composition of 99.85% Al balance. Its combination of high electrical conductivity, strong thermal performance, and low density makes it one of the most broadly applied aluminum grades across industrial and infrastructure markets. Conductivity relative to weight is approximately twice that of copper at equivalent cross-sections, establishing it as the dominant material for high-voltage power transmission lines.
Applications for this grade include major power transmission conductors, electrical busbars, heat exchanger components, and LED reflector housings where proper thermal management is essential to device longevity. It is also used in everyday manufactured goods where a balance of workability, corrosion resistance, and cost efficiency is required.
Supplied as 50 lb ingots and approximately 5 lb pieces, the dual form factor accommodates both large furnace charges and smaller precision additions in foundry and fabrication operations.
Available Forms
50 Lb. Ingot, Approx. 5 Lb. Pieces
Technical Info
Thermal Properties
Melting Point (Solidus)1,190°F (643°C)
Melting Point (Liquidus)1,215°F (657°C)
Physical Properties
Density (imperial)0.098 lbs/in³
Density (metric)2.71 g/cm³
Primary ElementsAl
Lead FreeYes
Key Features
High Electrical ConductivityExcellent Thermal ConductivityPrimary Grade Purity
Nominal Composition
99.85% Al
Bal
Frequently Asked Questions
Common technical inquiries regarding Primary 99.85% Aluminum
Electrical conductivity in aluminum decreases as impurity content rises, because alloying elements scatter conduction electrons. At 99.85% purity, the conductivity remains high enough to meet the requirements for overhead transmission conductors and busbars, while the primary grade designation ensures consistent chemistry from heat to heat — critical for predictable performance in electrical infrastructure.
Aluminum's thermal conductivity is approximately 50–60% of copper's on an absolute basis, but its much lower density means that an aluminum heat exchanger component can be significantly lighter than a copper equivalent for the same thermal performance. This weight advantage makes 99.85% aluminum the preferred choice in applications where weight reduction is a design constraint.
The primary designation indicates the aluminum was produced directly from bauxite ore via the Bayer and Hall-Héroult processes, rather than from recycled secondary sources. This ensures a tightly controlled impurity profile with no contamination from alloying elements present in post-consumer scrap, which is important for applications with strict conductivity or chemistry specifications.
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