lessconductive

Lessconductive is a descriptive term used in materials science to denote substances that exhibit lower electrical conductivity than a chosen reference material or standard. It is not a formal category of materials, but a relative property used in design and evaluation of electrical components and circuits.

Electrical conductivity is measured in siemens per meter (S/m) and spans many orders of magnitude. Metals typically conduct 10^6–10^8 S/m, while insulators such as cured polymers and ceramics are much lower, often below 10^-6 S/m. Some materials may have conductivities in the range of 10^-12 to 10^-6 S/m depending on moisture, temperature, and impurities. A material described as lessconductive is simply one that, in the relevant context, carries less current than another material under the same conditions.

Conduction mechanisms differ among materials. Electronic conduction dominates in metals and doped semiconductors, while ionic conduction occurs in ceramics and electrolytes. In many polymers, conduction is highly dependent on temperature and moisture. Porosity, microstructure, and impurities can reduce carrier mobility or concentration, increasing resistivity and thus producing a lessconductive behavior relative to a reference.

Applications for lessconductive materials include electrical insulation, insulating coatings, and dielectric layers in electronics. They are valued for reducing leakage currents, preventing short circuits, and minimizing crosstalk in devices. Common examples include glass, ceramics, dried wood, and many plastics such as PVC and epoxy resins, which provide electrical isolation in a range of technologies.