Copper CNC Machining
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Copper CNC Machining
Copper symbol Cu, known as element 29 in the periodic table, is second only to silver and is an excellent electrical and thermal conductor. Commercially available copper is typically more than 99% pure, with the remaining 1% made up of impurities such as oxygen, lead, or silver.
Copper is widely recognized for its electrical and thermal conductivity, and it has strong corrosion resistance and inherent antibacterial properties. As a result, the power, automotive, medical and aerospace sectors specifically take advantage of these advantages of copper. You can use the Findtop real-time quote engine SM to choose the right solution.
Machining Copper At a Glance
| Application | Copper applications include heat exchangers, radiators, valves, and electrical connectors. |
| Advantages | Thermally conductive, electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant |
| Disadvantages | Costly, Can be difficult to machine |
| Lead Time | Lead time is generally a minimum of 3 days. However, this can increase depending on the grade of copper used or if the parts are internationally manufactured. |
| Price | $$$ |
| Tolerances | Machining tolerances depend on the copper used. However, a tolerance of 0.005” (0.13mm) is generally achievable. |
| Wall Thickness | A minimum wall thickness of 0.03” (0.8mm) is achievable. This can vary depending on the ratio of wall thickness to planar dimension. The specific copper grade will also affect the achievable minimum wall thickness. |
| Max Part Size | The maximum size of the part is determined by the machines available and the complexity of the part. |
Copper 101
C101 copper (also known as deoxygenated copper), purity of about 99.99%, excellent electrical conductivity, known as HC(high conductivity) copper, can be used as a raw material for the production of brass and bronze alloys. Because of its excellent electrical conductivity,C101 copper is widely used in busbars, waveguides and coaxial cables.
Copper 101 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 to 365 | 90 | 55 | 81 | 8.89 to 8.94 |
Copper C110
C110 copper or electroplated Hard oil Blue (ETP) copper is another high purity copper option. However, its purity is not as high as C101, only about 99.90%. It is the most commonly used copper alloy because it is more cost-effective and suitable for most electrical applications. This grade is easier to process and shape than C101.
Copper C110 Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 76 | 45 | 57 | 8.89 |
Finishes and Post-Processing Options
Copper is favored because of its superior thermal and electrical conductivity. The surface treatment methods commonly used in processing other metals are not suitable for copper and are easy to affect its characteristics. Electroplating polishing: It provides a highly smooth and shiny surface for copper parts by removing a very thin layer, often in the 0.0001 to 0.0025 inch range. Corrosion resistance can be improved without affecting electrical conductivity.
cost-saving design tips
Manufacturing oriented design is an effective way to reduce the cost of aluminum parts: to avoid the characteristics and qualities that are difficult to process.
The choice of alloy also affects cost-effectiveness. Prototypes can be made of relatively affordable aluminum alloys. If you need a customized product,Find professional engineers are ready to provide you with consultation and analysis.