A conductor is at the center of any wire and cable. They are mostly made of metal due to metal's high conductivity. Some metals, however, are more conductive than others. Each of these has different properties, so it's important to know how they could affect your next application.

Copper can move electricity efficiently and is both inexpensive and versatile. Bare copper is used often, but a copper conductor can also be tinned or silver-coated to improve performance.

Conductors can be coated with other metals to improve performance and other characteristics. See below for information on tinning and other coatings.

Silver is the most conductive metal, but it is very expensive so it is rarely used to construct an entire conductor. Silver plating is much more common. It improves conductivity and widens the wire’s operating temperature range. A silver-plated wire can usually perform from temperatures of -65°C to 200°C. This coating is a common choice for many aerospace applications.

A coating of nickel can be applied to increase corrosion resistance and to expand the operating temperature range of a wire or cable. If the nickel is thick, a wire may be able to withstand temperatures of up to 750°C. Nickel-plating also adds a layer of mechanical toughness for cables that must withstand extreme conditions.

Conductors can be tinned to improve water resistance, increase conductivity, and to allow for easy soldering. Tinned conductors are more expensive than bare metal conductors, but can last up to ten times longer than non-tinned conductors. Generally, tinned conductors are used in electrical and electronic equipment in a wide range of industries.
When designing a difficult or abusive application, consider tinning as an option for your cables' conductors. It may improve the overall function of the cable and increase its longevity.