CHARACTERIZATION OF METALS AND ALLOYS BY ELECTRICAL-RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS

A great deal is known about the electrical resistivity of commercial metals and alloys. However, this knoweldge is seldom used in field or manufacturing environments because of the difficulty of determining the resistivity of metals. The authors have developed a four-point probe and measuring package that allow accurate measurements of the resistivity of metals in sheet or bulk form despite surface corrosion and other interfering effects. Measurements in a number of ferrous and nonferrous alloys are described. Several possible applications are suggested, especially in studying ferrous alloys.