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Aluminum wire is receiving increased attention for automotive applications due to the potential for cost and weight savings. Termination of aluminum wire is problematic due to the tenacious surface oxide on the strands. The oxide is an electrical insulator and is difficult to displace during termination. Consequently, many of the strands within a crimped wire bundle can be electrically isolated from the terminal, which can result in higher than expected crimp resistance, less stable crimp resistance, and the potential for excess heating of the termination. Prior solutions employed additives such as brass powder to puncture the oxide film and form a diffusion bond between strands, or features such as screens or serrations that increase wire deformation and displace the oxide mechanically to promote strand-strand bonding. Both solutions have drawbacks. Additives increase cost and process complexity and can serve as contaminants to adjacent processes.