Why Does Ductile Iron Pipe Conduct Electricity?

The metallic ingredients in pipe allow it to conduct electricity.

Ductile iron pipe, a commonly used material in modern plumbing, is capable of conducting electricity. The reason has to do with the pipe's iron composition, the chemical properties of metals such as iron, and the nature of electricity.

Electricity and Conductors

Electricity consists of the movement of negatively charged electrons. Substances that conduct electricity, such as iron, have some way of letting the electrons move from one place to another. If there is a difference in electric charge on the two ends of such a conductor, the electrons will flow through it to correct the imbalance.

Metals

Iron and other metals are made up of atoms that all have one or two (or sometimes more) loosely gripped electrons in their outer layers. These electrons are free to move around and bond with other atoms. When you put a lot of metal atoms together, their loose electrons flow freely between atoms, binding them all together. This is why metal is hard, and also why it is a conductor of electricity.

Ductile Iron Pipe

Ductile iron pipe is composed of a special mix of iron and graphite, along with some other minor ingredients. The iron, like nearly all metals, is a great conductor of electricity. The graphite is present in small nodules, and does not cut off the flow of electricity through the iron.

References

• Ductile Iron Society: Ductile Iron Data
• ChemGuide: Metal Structures