The electrical conductivity and resistivity of both materials and assemblies determine their ability to carry an electric current. This is a key property for a wide range of applications related to electronic equipment (from small household appliances to medical devices) or the generation and transport of energy, among many others.

Electrical conductivity is influenced by aspects such as the chemical composition or the level of purity of metals, as well as characteristics regarding their structure (grain size, internal stresses, phase generation) and external factors, such as temperature or other environmental factors.

Electrical conductivity is also essential for the development of new materials with specific electrical properties, such as superconductors or semiconductor materials. This property is also used to detect in-service failures in electronic components, to monitor corrosion in metallic structures and to evaluate the conductivity of materials in extreme environments and conditions.