3D Printing of Copper and Copper Alloys

We manufacture components from our own gas atomized materials using the latest additive manufacturing technologies.

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Our 3D Printing Capabilities in Numbers

To use Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) effectively, it is necessary to think about the optimal design of the manufactured components. This should respect the limits and properties of the technology with respect to the type of material chosen. Copper alloys are very difficult to melt due to their inherent reflectivity, and therefore non-standard laser types with lower wavelengths or significantly higher power are needed to melt them.

Maximum dimensions

Green laser (532nm) 200W

150×160 mm

Infra Red Laser (1075nm) 1kW

250x250x325 mm (in progress)

Productivity

Pure Copper (200W Green Laser)

up to 8 cm³/hour (20 microns layer)

Pure Copper (2x1kW Red Laser)

up to 28,8 cm³/hour (40 micron layer)

CuCr1Zr (2x1kW IR Laser)

Up to 86 cm³/hour (80 Micron Layer)

CuCr1Zr (200W Green Laser)

Up to 14 cm³/hour (40 micron layer)

Layer resolution and height

Pure Copper (200W Green Laser)

20 Micron Layer (Fine Resolution)

CuCr1Zr (200W Green Laser)

40 micron layer (fine resolution)

Pure Copper (2x1kW IR Laser)

40 micron layer (in progress)

CuCr1Zr (2x1kW IR Laser)

80 micron layer (in progress)

Properties of manufactured parts

Manufacturing Tolerances

For well-designed smaller parts, a manufacturing tolerance of 0.1 mm nominal length can usually be achieved using the LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) method. Please note that tolerances may vary depending on part geometry and size.

Machining of Functional Surfaces

If it is necessary to comply with standard dimensional tolerances (e.g. ISO DIN 2768), it is necessary to use CNC machining on the functional surfaces of the part.

Surface Treatment

If high surface quality is important to you, then in the case of parts made of pure copper and copper alloys, it is necessary to apply surface treatment, for example, by plastering or chemical polishing.

LPBF 3D Printing as a Service

Selected materials that we offer or are planning to offer in the near future as part of our LPBF 3D printing service.If you are interested in a specific alloy, please contact us.

Pure Copper

Copper (99.95% purity and better) is typically used in applications where high thermal or electrical conductivity is required and the parts are not mechanically stressed.

CuCr1Zr (CW106C) - in progress

Copper alloy, which after heat treatment retains very good thermal and electrical conductivity (about 80% of pure copper) and at the same time has significantly better strength and ability to withstand thermal stresses.

Grcop-42 - in progress

A copper alloy developed by NASA that, after heat treatment, retains superior thermal and electrical conductivity (approximately 86% pure copper) while significantly outperforming the thermal stress resistance capabilities of the standard CuCr1Zr alloy.

Basic Properties of Used Materials

Please note that properties can vary significantly for specific geometries, heat and surface treatments.

* in preparation

Pure Copper

20 Microns

Without HT

96-100% IACS

401 W/(m*K)

≥ 8.90 g/cm³

Contacts, Inductors, Atennas, Coolers

CuCr1Zr*

40 microns

Heat Treatment

Better than 80%

320 W/(m*K)

≥ 8.90 g/cm³

Nozzles, Contacts, Coolers

Pure Copper*

40 mcirons

Without HT

97-101% IACS

401 W/(m*K)

≥ 8.90 g/cm³

Combustion Chambers, Heat Exchangers, Coolers

CuCr1Zr*

80 Microns

Heat Treatment

Better than 80%

320 W/(m*K)

≥ 8.90 g/cm³

Combustion Chambers, Heat Exchangers

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