On Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:01:38 -0800, Roy Lewallen
wrote:

That is,
in fact, how aluminum house wiring is (properly) handled -- a high
pressure contact, with a generous amount of grease to prevent contact
with air.

Hi Roy,

If I recall history and physics correctly (and simultaneously), house
wiring failed through cold flow, a property of aluminum to relax under
a one-time application of pressure (impulse rather than sustained
pressure) and thus the joint failed. The failure raised resistance,
resistance raised temperature, temperature raised flames.... no more
common use of aluminum in house wiring.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC