In harsh application environments such as industrial automation, power systems, railway locomotives, and new energy vehicles, connectors, as key components for the transmission of electrical or optical signals, have a direct impact on the overall performance and reliability of the equipment. As one of the international connector giants, Amphenol Industrial, with its advanced material processing and manufacturing technology, holds a high degree of influence in the global industrial connection market. With the acceleration of the domestic substitution process, the material selection issue has also become one of the core keys to whether domestic connectors can truly "match imported ones."
One, material selection standards of Amphenol IndustrialAmphenol Industrial connectors are widely used in power, oil and gas, rail, military and other fields. Their products, such as the ATHD series heavy-duty connectors, the Tru-Loc series high-speed connectors, and the Eaxtron electric heavy truck interfaces, all adopt high-reliability material configurations:
●Conductor material: High-purity copper or copper alloys are commonly used, and they are also coated with precious metals such as silver and gold to enhance the conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Insulating materials: High-temperature nylon (such as PA66), polyimide (PI) and other engineering plastics are selected, which have excellent heat resistance, insulation and anti-aging properties.
● Sealing and structural parts: Large amounts of materials such as fluoro rubber (FKM) and silicone rubber (VMQ) are used to ensure that the connector remains sealed and reliable in harsh environments.
Shell structure: Aluminum alloy or stainless steel shell with anodizing or nickel plating treatment to enhance mechanical strength and resistance to chemical corrosion.
These material selections ensure that the connectors maintain stable performance within a working temperature range of -55℃ to +150℃, and meet various international standard certifications including UL, CE, RoHS, REACH, IEC, MIL, etc.
Two, material challenges of domestic connectorsDomestic connector manufacturers have made significant progress in design, structure, and production line automation in recent years, but still face several issues in the core aspect of "material":
Insufficient purity and consistency of raw materials
Domestic connector products commonly use low-purity copper or recycled copper materials, which, although cost-effective, can lead to higher contact resistance, increased heat generation, and reduced lifespan.
Surface treatment process is weak
The electroplating layer thickness of some domestic products is insufficient, with poor uniformity and adhesion of the coating, which is prone to oxidation and corrosion during use, leading to unstable conductivity.
Insulating plastic material is unstable.
In high temperature and humidity or acidic and alkaline environments, low-grade plastics are prone to softening, deformation, or aging, affecting the insertion and extraction life and insulation reliability.
Limited experience in sealing and structural design
Domestic products often adopt imitative structural design, with insufficient strength design of sealing gaskets and clips, which are prone to loosening or leakage problems after long-term use.
How does material selection determine product quality?
High-quality material selection = long-term stable operation + low failure rate + high customer satisfaction. Once there is a compromise in material selection, even if the design is reasonable, connectors may still easily experience performance drift and increased failure risks in actual application.
Four, replacing imported products needs to start with "material selection"Domestic connector brands are rapidly catching up with international leading levels, especially in the field of general products, where they have cost and delivery advantages. However, to truly "replace" international high-end connector brands like Amphenol Industrial, breakthroughs in material selection and continuous optimization of processes are crucial. Choosing the right materials is not only the foundation of product performance but also the starting point for domestic brands to enter the high-end market.
If you are interested in the domestic substitute products for this brand connector or have purchasing needs, or if you have production or sales channels for these domestic substitute products and wish to engage in in-depth cooperation or communication, please contact us through the following contact information:
Manager Zhang (18665383950, same WeChat number)Contact us, we look forward to working together with more industry partners.
