For stranded sector and circular stranded aluminium conductor. Aluminium links are manufactured from solid 99.6% pure electrical grade aluminium rod. The forging process during rod manufacture eliminates any imperfections in the metal structure. This improves the long-term electrical reliability, eliminating future hot joints. The links are a barrier type, mainly because this forces jointing compound back along the conductor strands during crimping, and also to act as a barrier link with oil filled cables etc. These links also have a unique 'funnel' entry, which means that stranded sector cable can be easily inserted into the barrel. The barrels are chemically treated to reduce contact resistance, and they are filled with jointing compound and capped. Before crimping, the conductors should be scratch brushed. The links should be crimped with standard hexagonal dies, crimping from the centre outwards to force jointing compound into the conductors.