Where can I buy different types of wire? Details inside.?

Question

I am doing a science fair project measuring the tensile strength of steel, copper, and aluminum, but I don't know where i can go to buy each type of wire in the same gauge. Anyone know?

Answer 1

If you can't find what you need in a hardware store, try McMaster-Carr.

Answer 2

If you are in the US, you can buy small coils of wire in copper, brass, aluminum, steel and stainless steel from Anchor wire at many hardware stores. Some have a greater selection than others. K&S metals has thin brass and music (hard steel) wire in their hobby assortment.
The real challenge will be getting the wire in the same gauge and then you can't be sure they are the same size because SS, non-feruous (brass copper aluminum) use different gauges and, for example, Anchor only has aluminum and SS in one size in their assortment. One place I looked for wire has a $125 miniumum and sells in 1 pound rolls. You will probably have to get or borrow a micrometer to measure the wire, then determine the actual area and then do breaking tests for strength and relate it back to the material and area.

Answer 3

Yes, an electrical supply store. You may have to order some wire so get ready for a little wait. They sell Copper and Aluminumn, not sure about the steel wire. Try Google, and American Wire.

Answer 4

I'm sure there is a suplpy store in your area that sells metals in different forms. Check the phone book. Look under Wire or Metal.

Answer 5

take micrometer and go to the local junk yard and get what u want, and get allot of each cheap there too-but it will be hard to get a push button wire tensile tester cause they had them in all wire mills in America and they were expensive and all were very dated too

Answer 6

You will have to consult a manufacturer.

Answer 7

lowes