Copper Machining
Conductive and heat-transfer parts, and machined copper housings — including housings silver-plated after machining.
Grades we run
| Grade | When we use it |
|---|---|
| C1100 | Tough-pitch copper (≈ C11000 / Cu-ETP) — our standard copper for machined parts |
Machinability
Copper is softer and stickier than brass: it forms long, stringy chips and burrs easily, so it is cut with sharp tools and light finishing passes, and deburred with care. Expect longer cycle times than the same part in brass.
Flat copper profiles up to ~3 mm thick can be cut on our in-house fibre laser.
Tolerance & finish
±0.01 mm as standard, ±0.005 mm on request where the feature allows. Ra 1.6 as-machined, Ra 0.8 by fine turning. Copper marks and tarnishes easily, so cosmetic and to-be-plated faces need careful handling and packing.
Surface treatments
Coordinated, inspected on return
Silver, tin, nickel or other plating to your drawing, through our finishing partners — we regularly machine copper housings that are silver-plated after machining. Laser marking in-house.
Design tips
- If the part will be plated, state the plating and its thickness on the drawing, and whether dimensions apply before or after plating.
- Mark which faces carry current or must stay flat for heat transfer, and the finish they need.
- If you need oxygen-free copper (C1020 / C10200) or a specific conductivity, say so at quote stage — it decides the material we order.