Do These Materials Conduct Electricity? Click in for Direct Answers!

Every day, we use materials without knowing exactly how they handle electric current, and the answer isn’t always obvious.

This is your complete, no-fluff guide to 60+ common materials, with direct Yes/No answers and simple science behind each one. Whether you’re an engineer designing circuits, a student tackling physics, or a DIYer testing safety,  you’ll find the truth in seconds. Just click your question below, and the answer is just one line away.

Can metalloids conduct electricity?

Yes – Metalloids (e.g., silicon, germanium) are semiconductors and conduct electricity moderately, better than insulators but less than metals.

Does alumina conduct electricity?

No – Alumina (Al₂O₃) is a ceramic insulator with very low electrical conductivity.

Does aluminium (aluminum) conduct electricity?

Yes – Aluminium is a metal with high electrical conductivity (~60% IACS), widely used in wiring.

Can graphite conduct electricity?

Yes – Graphite conducts electricity due to delocalized electrons in its layered structure.

Can water conduct electricity?

It Depends. Pure/distilled/deionized water: No. Tap/salt/seawater: Yes, due to dissolved ions.

Do metals conduct electricity?

Yes – All pure metals conduct electricity well via free electrons.

Does diamond conduct electricity?

No – Pure diamond is an excellent electrical insulator (bandgap ~5.5 eV).

Does iron conduct electricity?

Yes – Iron is a metal and conducts electricity, though less efficiently than copper or silver.

Can ionic compounds conduct electricity?

Yes, but only when molten or dissolved in water – Solid ionic compounds do not conduct; ions must be mobile.

Does stainless steel conduct electricity?

Yes – Stainless steel (e.g., 304) conducts electricity, but ~20–30 times worse than pure copper due to alloying.

Does brass conduct electricity?

Yes – Brass (copper-zinc alloy) conducts electricity well, ~28–40% IACS.

Can gold conduct electricity?

Yes – Gold has excellent electrical conductivity (~70% IACS) and resists corrosion.

Can mercury conduct electricity?

Yes – Mercury is a liquid metal and conducts electricity.

Can plastic conduct electricity?

No – Standard plastics are insulators. (Exception: conductive polymers or filled plastics, not implied here.)

Does salt (NaCl) conduct electricity?

Yes, when dissolved or molten, Solid NaCl does not conduct.

Does sugar (sucrose) conduct electricity?

No–sugar solutions do not contain ions and are non-conductive.

Does carbon fiber conduct electricity?

Yes – Carbon fiber is electrically conductive along the fiber direction.

Does wood conduct electricity?

No – Dry wood is a poor conductor; slightly conductive when wet.

Does glass conduct electricity?

No – Glass is an insulator at room temperature.

Does silicon conduct electricity?

Yes, moderately – Silicon is a semiconductor; it conducts better when doped or heated.

Does silver conduct electricity?

Yes – Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals (~105% IACS).

Does titanium conduct electricity?

Yes, but poorly – Titanium conducts electricity (~3% IACS), much less than common metals.

Does rubber conduct electricity?

No – Rubber is an excellent electrical insulator.

Does the human body conduct electricity?

Yes – Skin, blood, and tissues contain water and ions, making the body conductive (especially wet skin).

Does nickel conduct electricity?

Yes – Nickel is a metal with moderate conductivity (~25% IACS).

Does paper conduct electricity?

No – Dry paper is non-conductive; slightly conductive when damp.

Does potassium conduct electricity?

Yes – Potassium is an alkali metal and an excellent conductor.

Does nitrogen conduct electricity?

No – Nitrogen gas is an insulator; liquid nitrogen is also non-conductive.

Does sulphur (sulfur) conduct electricity?

No – Sulfur is a non-metal and a poor conductor.

Does tungsten conduct electricity?

Yes – Tungsten conducts electricity (~30% IACS), used in filaments.

Does magnesium conduct electricity?

Yes – Magnesium is a metal with good conductivity (~38% IACS).

Does lead conduct electricity?

Yes, but poorly – Lead has low conductivity (~8% IACS).

Does calcium conduct electricity?

Yes – Calcium is a metal and conducts electricity.

Does carbon conduct electricity?

Yes (graphite form) – Amorphous carbon: poor. Graphite: good. Diamond: no.

Does chlorine conduct electricity?

No – Chlorine gas is non-conductive; ionic chlorides (e.g., NaCl) conduct when dissolved.

Does copper conduct electricity?

Yes – Copper has very high conductivity (~100% IACS), standard for wiring.

Does zinc conduct electricity?

Yes – Zinc is a metal with moderate conductivity (~29% IACS).

Does platinum conduct electricity?

Yes – Platinum conducts electricity well (~16% IACS), used in high-reliability contacts.

Does oil conduct electricity?

No – Mineral and vegetable oils are excellent insulators.

Does helium conduct electricity?

No – Helium is a noble gas and non-conductive.

Does hydrogen conduct electricity?

No – Hydrogen gas is non-conductive; metallic hydrogen (extreme pressure) does.

Does air conduct electricity?

No – Dry air is an insulator; it ionizes under high voltage (lightning).

Does neon conduct electricity?

No – Neon is a noble gas and does not conduct.

Does alcohol (ethanol/isopropyl) conduct electricity?

No – Pure alcohols are non-conductive; trace water may allow slight conduction.

Does ice conduct electricity?

No – Pure ice is a poor conductor; impurities increase conductivity slightly.

Does oxygen conduct electricity?

No – Oxygen gas is non-conductive.

Does tin conduct electricity?

Yes – Tin is a metal with moderate conductivity (~15% IACS).

Does sand conduct electricity?

No – Dry sand (silica) is an insulator.

Does concrete conduct electricity?

No (when dry) – Dry concrete is non-conductive; wet concrete conducts due to moisture and ions.

Does fiberglass conduct electricity?

No – Fiberglass (glass fibers + resin) is an insulator.

Does silicone conduct electricity?

No – Standard silicone is non-conductive; conductive silicone exists, but is not implied.

Does leather conduct electricity?

No – Dry leather is non-conductive; it conducts when wet.

Does iodine conduct electricity?

No – Solid or gaseous iodine is a non-conductor.

Does solder conduct electricity?

Yes – Solder (tin-lead or lead-free alloys) is designed to conduct electricity.

Does JB Weld conduct electricity?

No – Standard JB Weld epoxy is non-conductive.

Does super glue (cyanoacrylate) conduct electricity?

No – Super glue is an insulator.

Does hot glue conduct electricity?

No – Hot melt glue is non-conductive.

Does duct tape conduct electricity?

No – The adhesive and backing are insulators.

Does electrical tape conduct electricity?

No – Electrical tape is designed to insulate, not conduct.

Does WD-40 conduct electricity?

No – WD-40 is non-conductive and often used to displace water in electrical systems.

Do nitrile/latex gloves conduct electricity?

No – Both are excellent electrical insulators when intact and dry.

Does thermal paste conduct electricity?

Usually, no. Standard thermal paste is electrically insulating. (Exception: liquid metal or silver-based conductive pastes.)

Does deionized (DI) water conduct electricity?

No – DI water has ions removed and is highly resistive.

Does acid/base conduct electricity?

Yes – Strong acids and bases dissociate into ions and conduct electricity in solution.

Do covalent compounds conduct electricity?

No – Covalent compounds (e.g., sugar, alcohol) do not form ions and are non-conductive.

Does magnet/iron (as magnet) conduct electricity?

Yes – Magnets are typically made of conductive metals (iron, nickel, etc.).

Does fire conduct electricity?

Yes, weakly – Flame contains ions and can conduct under high voltage (e.g., arc through fire).

Does blood conduct electricity?

Yes – Blood contains salts and is a good conductor.

Does Kapton tape conduct electricity?

No – Kapton (polyimide) tape is an excellent electrical insulator.

Does carbon fibre conduct electricity?

Yes – Same as carbon fiber; highly conductive along fibers.

Does steel conduct electricity?

Yes – All steels (carbon, stainless) conduct electricity, though alloying reduces performance.

Does lithium conduct electricity?

Yes – Lithium metal is highly conductive.

Does super glue conduct electricity?

No, non-conductive.

Does epoxy conduct electricity?

No – Standard epoxy is insulating; conductive epoxies exist, but not standard.

Does bare conductive paint conduct electricity?

Yes – Specifically designed to conduct electricity.

Does Loctite conductive adhesive conduct electricity?

Yes – Electrically conductive versions are made for bonding and conduction.

Does electrically conductive silicone/plastic conduct electricity?

Yes – Formulated with fillers (carbon, silver) to enable conduction.

Does soil conduct electricity?

Yes, variably – Depends on moisture, salt, and clay content; measured via EC meters.

Does distilled water conduct electricity?

No – Highly pure, no ions = non-conductive.

Does pure water conduct electricity?

No – Same as distilled/deionized.

Does tap water conduct electricity?

Yes – Contains dissolved minerals and ions.

Does salty water conduct electricity?

Yes – High ion content = excellent conductor.

Does aluminum foil conduct electricity?

Yes – Pure aluminum, highly conductive.

Does steelstik (epoxy putty) conduct electricity?

No – Non-conductive filler material.

Does silicon carbide (SiC) conduct electricity?

Yes, moderately – Wide-bandgap semiconductor; used in high-power electronics.

Does concrete conduct electricity?

No (dry) / Yes (wet).

Does leather conduct electricity?

No (dry). Dry leather doesn’t conduct electricity, while wet leather does since water conducts electricity.

Does iodine conduct electricity?

No. Iodine does not conduct electricity.

Does electrically conductive plastic conduct electricity?

Yes. Electrically conductive plastic conducts electricity.

Does Loctite electrically conductive adhesive conduct electricity?

Yes. Loctite electrically conductive adhesive conducts electricity.

Does platinum conduct electricity?

Yes. Platinum conducts electricity.

Does oil conduct electricity?

No. Oil conducts electricity.

Do nitrile gloves conduct electricity?

No. Nitrile gloves conduct electricity.

Does silicone conduct electricity?

No. Silicone does not conduct electricity.

Bonus tips on electrical conductivity

Below are helpful posts focusing on electrical conductivity, just click in for more detailed information:

· Conductivity: Definition, Equations, Measurements, and Applications

· An Electrical Conductivity Meter: Definition, Principle, Units, Calibration

· All Types of Electrical Conductivity Meters You Should Know

· Unveiling the Relation of Temperature and Conductivity