silicon in transformers (1 Viewer)

[Old_Sk3wl]

"explain why silicon became the preferred material for use in transformers?"

 

[Xayma]

Nice to see you asked nicely and everything.

Germanium loses it's semi-conducting properties as it heats up, ie. it becomes too good at conducting to be of any use as a semi conductor.

 

[BlackJack]

...think sand. Think germanium.
Sand is too cheap.

 

[joshhopp]

"explain why silicon became the preferred material for use in transformers?"

whoa i dont get that... why should a transformer want semiconducting properties??

 

[dingding]

he means transistors

 

[Constip8edSkunk]

efficiency in production

 

[Xtrinsic_Psycho]

yeh Silicon is way more abundant than Germanium and it retains its semiconducting properties at higher temps (Ge becomes a relatively good conductor at high temps --> allow too much electric current to pass thru --> damage equipment)

hope that helps