MATERIALS · Wire Types

10 Primary Metal Wire Materials

YIN GUAN uses a variety of metal wires, offering the most suitable material based on product application and customer requirements — covering ferrous, copper-based, and alloy categories. All products comply with RoHS regulations.

Iron Wire

鐵線
FerrousLow CostHigh Strength

Characteristics

Low-carbon steel wire with high strength and good ductility. After plating it resists rust effectively — the most common base material for hair brush pins.

Applications

  • Hair brush pins
  • Pet brush pins
  • Scalp massage combs
  • General parts

Performance

Strength ★★★★☆
Conductivity ★★☆☆☆
Corrosion Res. ★★☆☆☆
Value ★★★★★

SUS304 Stainless Steel

304# 不鏽鋼線
FerrousRust-ProofHeat Resistant

Characteristics

Austenitic stainless steel with 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Excellent corrosion and heat resistance, non-magnetic — ideal for products needing long-term rust protection in outdoor or humid environments.

Applications

  • Premium brush pins
  • Food equipment pins
  • Outdoor terminals
  • Medical precision parts

Performance

Strength ★★★★★
Conductivity ★★☆☆☆
Corrosion Res. ★★★★★
Value ★★★☆☆

Tinned Copper Wire

鍍錫銅線
CopperRoHS Lead-FreeSolderable

Characteristics

Pure copper wire with a tin-plated surface, combining copper's high conductivity with tin's excellent solderability. The most common conductor material in electronics; the plating prevents oxidation.

Applications

  • Jumper resistors
  • LED guide pins
  • Transformer PINs
  • PCB connectors

Performance

Strength ★★★☆☆
Conductivity ★★★★★
Corrosion Res. ★★★★☆
Value ★★★★☆

Copper-Clad Steel

銅包鋼線
CopperBest ValueMain Jumper

Characteristics

Pure copper outer layer with a carbon steel core, combining copper's conductivity with steel's strength. Lower cost than pure copper with near-equivalent performance — the main material for industrial PCB jumpers.

Applications

  • PCB jumper resistors
  • Board wiring
  • Connector pins
  • Mass-produced parts

Performance

Strength ★★★★☆
Conductivity ★★★★☆
Corrosion Res. ★★★☆☆
Value ★★★★★

Tin-Plated Copper-Clad Steel

電鍍錫銅包鋼線
CopperSolderableRoHS

Characteristics

Copper-clad steel base with a tin-plated surface, combining CCS strength and value with tin's excellent solderability and oxidation resistance — ideal for directly soldered PCB jumpers and insert parts.

Applications

  • PCB jumper resistors
  • Wave-solder inserts
  • Connector pins
  • Electronic terminals

Performance

Strength ★★★★☆
Solderability ★★★★★
Corrosion Res. ★★★★☆
Value ★★★★★

Tin over Nickel-Plated Copper-Clad Steel

電鍍鎳底鍍錫銅包鋼線
CopperSolderableWear & Corrosion Res.

Characteristics

Copper-clad steel base plated first with nickel, then with tin. The nickel base provides hardness and corrosion resistance, while the tin surface delivers solderability and oxidation resistance — a dual plating balancing durability and solderability.

Applications

  • PCB jumper resistors
  • Wear-resistant pins
  • Connector contacts
  • High-reliability terminals

Performance

Strength ★★★★☆
Solderability ★★★★★
Corrosion Res. ★★★★★
Value ★★★★☆

Manganin Wire

錳銅線
AlloyLow ResistanceStable Temp Coef.

Characteristics

Copper-manganese-nickel alloy with an extremely low temperature coefficient of resistance — its resistance barely changes with temperature. The standard material for precision resistors, low-value jumper resistors, and meter shunts.

Applications

  • Low-value jumpers
  • Precision resistors
  • Meter shunts
  • Standard resistance

Performance

Strength ★★★☆☆
Resistance Stab. ★★★★★
Corrosion Res. ★★★☆☆
Value ★★★☆☆

Brass Wire

黃銅線
CopperMachinableWear Resistant

Characteristics

Copper-zinc alloy (Cu/Zn) with excellent machinability, capable of complex shapes. Moderate strength and conductivity with an attractive golden appearance — widely used in precision components.

Applications

  • Precision pins
  • Transformer PINs
  • Decorative parts
  • Audio terminals

Performance

Strength ★★★★☆
Conductivity ★★★☆☆
Machinability ★★★★★
Value ★★★★☆

Pure Copper Wire

紅銅線
Copper99.9% PurityTop Conductivity

Characteristics

Pure copper above 99.9% purity with conductivity reaching 100% IACS — one of the best conductors among metals. Soft and easy to machine, but higher cost; used where conductivity is critical.

Applications

  • RF terminals
  • High-conductivity PINs
  • Precision components
  • Pro audio terminals

Performance

Strength ★★☆☆☆
Conductivity ★★★★★
Corrosion Res. ★★★★☆
Value ★★☆☆☆

Silver-Copper Alloy

銀銅合金線
AlloyPremium ConductivitySpecial Use

Characteristics

An alloy of silver and copper combining silver's outstanding conductivity with copper's strength. Conductivity exceeds pure copper with excellent oxidation resistance — the top choice for high-end electronics and contacts.

Applications

  • Pro audio terminals
  • High-freq RF parts
  • Precision contacts
  • Special custom projects

Performance

Strength ★★★☆☆
Conductivity ★★★★★
Corrosion Res. ★★★★★
Value ★☆☆☆☆
SHAPE · Wire Cross-Section

Two Cross-Section Shapes

Based on product design and hole requirements, we offer round and square cross-sections, with customizable diameter and edge length.

Round

圓形

The most common cross-section, suitable for most guide pins, jumpers, and brush pins — smooth insertion and wide application.

Diameter Range⌀ 0.4 — 2.0 mm

Square

方形

Square cross-sections are commonly used for square pin headers and terminals — stable positioning, no rotation, good contact area.

Common Specs0.64 × 0.64 mm · 1.0 × 1.0 mm

Can't find a suitable material?
Contact us.

YIN GUAN also processes other special metal wires — we'll evaluate the best material and method for your needs.