When your project demands extreme performance in heat or electrical conduction, pure copper is your top choice. It is one of the most important materials in electrical and thermal applications. QD is the primary manufacturer of pure copper castings.
What is Pure Copper?
Pure copper, also known as red copper. It is a metal material with a purity over 99.9%. It has good ductility and corrosion resistance.
Basic Physical Properties:
Density: Approx. 8.96 g/cm³
Melting point: 1083°C
Electrical conductivity: Approx. 58.0 MS/m (At 20°C, second only to silver)
Thermal conductivity: Approx. 401 W/(m·K)
Outstanding Properties of Pure Copper
Unmatched Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
Pure copper ranks among the best for both electrical and thermal conductivity among all engineering metals. It is only slightly lower than silver. However, copper has a lower cost and is easier to obtain.
| Metal | Electrical Conductivity (MS/m, 20℃) | Thermal Conductivity (W/(m·K)) | Remarks |
| Pure Copper | 58.0 | 401 | High cost-performance ratio. Widely used. |
| Silver | 63.0 | 429 | Best performance but high cost. |
| Gold | 45.0 | 318 | Good corrosion resistance. But expensive. |
| Aluminum | 37.7 | 237 | Lightweight. But relatively low performance. |
| Iron | 10.0 | 80 | High mechanical strength. But poor electrical conductivity. |
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Pure copper shows strong resistance to atmosphere, water, and many chemicals. Even in marine or industrial atmospheric conditions, copper components remain stable for long periods. They require little maintenance.
Corrosion Resistance Applications:
- Atmospheric environments: Used in building roofs and decoration. It resists weathering.
- Water systems: Used in pipes and heat exchangers. It resists water corrosion.
- Chemical industry: Used in some acidic and alkaline environments. It shows stable corrosion resistance.
Other Important Properties
Besides its core electrical/thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, pure copper also offers these advantages:
- High ductility and plasticity: It is easy to process into complex shapes. Suitable for precision casting.
- Antibacterial properties: The surface of pure copper inhibits bacterial growth. Often used in medical and sanitary equipment.
- Recyclability: Pure copper is 100% recyclable.
QD fully utilizes these properties to customize high-purity copper parts for you, ensuring maximum performance.
Main Application Fields
Electrical Industry
Conductive components: Wires, cables, and transformer windings.
Switching parts: Provide reliable electrical contact in circuit breakers and contactors.
Busbars: Used in power distribution systems. They carry high currents. They reduce heating issues.
Heat Dissipation Field
High-power heatsink bases: For CPU and GPU coolers.
Heat exchangers: Efficiently transfer heat in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Power electronics: Used for IGBT modules and power supply equipment. Prevents damage from overheating.
Other Application Fields
Pure copper is also widely used in the following areas:
Construction industry: Used for roofs, pipes, and decorative materials. It provides both aesthetics and durability.
Transportation: Used in automotive and aerospace for electrical connections and heat dissipation components.
Artwork and coins: Utilizes its ductility and color for crafting detailed artworks.
Note: QD has provided pure copper casting solutions for numerous clients, covering all the fields mentioned above.
How QD Addresses Pure Copper Casting Challenges
High Melting Point
The melting point is as high as 1083°C. This requires casting equipment with high-temperature tolerance. Ordinary furnaces may struggle to maintain this temperature stably, leading to casting defects. We use advanced furnace technology to achieve efficient melting.
Poor Fluidity
Pure copper has poor fluidity in its molten state. This can easily cause cold shuts or incomplete filling in the mold. It results in a low yield rate for complex-shaped castings. We use simulation software to predict flow behavior and reduce defects.
Prone to Oxidation
Pure copper easily reacts with oxygen at high temperatures, forming a copper oxide layer. Oxidation causes surface defects and reduces electrical conductivity. This affects casting quality and performance. Our workshop is equipped with an atmosphere control system to ensure high purity of castings.
High Shrinkage Rate
Pure copper shrinks significantly during solidification, which can easily cause shrinkage cavities. We address this by controlling the cooling rate and implementing optimized feeding design.
High Demands on Mold Materials
We use high-temperature resistant mold materials, such as graphite or specialized ceramics.
QD has years of experience in pure copper casting. Our castings meet industry standards for both electrical and thermal conductivity.
Pure Copper vs. Other Materials
To help you make informed decisions, we provide a brief comparison between pure copper and common alternative materials:
| Characteristic | Pure Copper | Aluminum | Silver |
| Electrical Conductivity | High (58.0 MS/m) | Medium (37.7 MS/m) | Extremely High (63.0 MS/m) |
| Thermal Conductivity | High (401 W/(m·K)) | Medium (237 W/(m·K)) | Extremely High (429 W/(m·K)) |
| Cost | Moderate | Low | High |
| Weight | Relatively Heavy | Light | Heavy |
| Main Applications | Electrical, Heat Dissipation | Lightweight Structures, Cables | High-end Electronics, Jewelry |
| Casting Difficulty | High | Low | Extremely High |
Contact Us
We have the technology and experience to cast high-purity copper parts. We provide reliable, customized solutions for you. Whether for electrical components or heat dissipation parts, we can help maximize their performance. Please feel free to contact QD for more copper information or a free consultation.
FAQ
1. What are common defects when casting pure copper?
Common defects include oxide inclusions, shrinkage porosity, and cold shuts. These typically result from high-temperature oxidation and flow issues.
2. How do you ensure the quality of pure copper castings?
We implement a strict quality control process. This includes spectral analysis to check purity, X-ray inspection for internal defects, and conductivity tests. With over 20 years of pure copper casting experience, we ensure every batch meets standards.
3. Are pure copper castings suitable for high-frequency applications?
Yes. They are commonly used in RF components and microwave equipment. They ensure signal transmission integrity.
4. In which environments is pure copper’s corrosion resistance limited?
Pure copper has poor corrosion resistance in strong acids (like nitric acid) or ammonia solutions. We can recommend protective coatings based on the specific environment.
5. Can QD customize complex-shaped pure copper castings?
We can. We produce precise and complex components. When you provide drawings or requirements, we deliver full service from design to finished product.