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Copper 3D Printing Service

Break down design barriers and grow your business with manufacturing available for you. Create and adapt.

Copper FDM

Upload your CAD files, Receive your customized custom Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing quote. Choose from a variety of process materials to suit your needs.

What is Copper? Understanding Its Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Fused Deposition Modeling [FDM]

Copper

parts combine good mechanical properties with thermal and electrical conductivity, making them ideal for various applications. Using copper-impregnated filaments in FDM printing, a copper part can be created by baking the printed object to eliminate the plastic binder material, leaving behind a pure copper structure. This alloy can be tested to rough conditions where pure copper cannot be

achieved

Material Copper

is renowned for its high ductility and high thermal properties, making it an ideal material for various applications. Its malleability and workability have posed challenges for 3D printing until new techniques were developed. Additionally, copper's high stiffness, low magnetic permeability, and high elongation at break are notable characteristics in 3D printed parts. Its high thermal and electrical conductivity make it suitable for producing tooling, induction coils, and heat sinks in

additive manufacturing.

Material

Copper

Description

STRENGTHS

Lead Time 2 weeks, Low-cost, good quality. Copper is an ideal material for electrical applications due to its ductility, mechanical resistance, and performance to corrosion.

WEAKNESSES

Limited dimensional accuracy

Copper FDM

Color & Finishes

Color
Brown
Machining
Our Machining Services Include Surface Grinding And Wire Erosion
Polishing
Our Polishing Services Include Tumble Polishing With Stones And Magnetic Polishing

Walls

Supported Wall Thickness Min
2.0 mm
Unsupported Wall Thickness Min
2.0 mm

Design Guidelines

Bounding Box Max
89 x 89x 100 mm

Technology

Download Datasheet

Parts in File

Max
Up to 260 parts accepted

Accuracy

Accuracy  0.50 mm + 0.5%

For example: a product with dimensions of 50x50x100 mm can be ±0.5% with a lower limit of ±050 mm (±0.020″) bigger or smaller in any direction.

Frequently Asked Questions About

Copper 3D Printing Filament

What makes copper an important material in thermal and electrical applications?

Copper is highly valued because of its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, allowing it to efficiently transfer heat and electrical energy with minimal losses. These properties make copper essential in components that need reliable heat dissipation and electrical performance, such as heat sinks, induction coils, and power electronics. Its high ductility and mechanical strength further support its use in demanding industrial environments.

Why is copper commonly used in heat sinks and heat exchangers?

Copper’s high thermal conductivity enables rapid heat transfer, making it ideal for cooling systems. In heat sinks, it efficiently dissipates heat from electronic devices, improving their reliability and lifespan. In heat exchangers, copper allows quick heat movement between fluids, which is critical in HVAC, automotive, and industrial systems. Its performance often surpasses materials like aluminium, especially in high-demand applications.

How is copper used in electrical applications such as induction coils?

Copper's exceptional electrical conductivity allows induction coils to operate with minimal resistance, maximising efficiency and reducing energy loss. This makes copper fundamental in motors, transformers, and generators. Its performance enables reliable power transfer and helps lower operational costs. Additionally, copper’s mechanical strength supports durability in long-term industrial use.

What challenges exist when 3D printing copper, and how are they overcome?

Copper is difficult to print because of its high reflectivity and heat conductivity, which interrupt traditional laser-based printing techniques. Modern processes like Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) use specialised equipment and powerful lasers to fuse copper powders precisely. These technologies allow high-quality, complex copper parts to be printed with improved accuracy and surface finish.

How does the Metal X system simplify the 3D printing of copper?

The Metal X system uses a filament-based approach rather than powder bed fusion, making copper printing safer and more accessible. Parts are printed using a plastic binder, which is later removed during debinding and sintering. This method avoids challenges related to copper’s reflectivity and enables users to produce accurate metal parts without the complexity of advanced laser systems.

What are the advantages of additive manufacturing for copper parts?

Additive manufacturing can create complex copper geometries that are difficult or impossible to produce using traditional machining. It reduces the need for welding or brazing by printing parts as single components, improving structural integrity and reducing costs. It also enables rapid prototyping, customisation, and improved performance through optimised geometries like lattice structures

Why is heat treatment and post-processing important for 3D printed copper parts?

Post-processing steps like debinding, sintering, and heat treatment are critical to transform printed copper parts into strong, functional metal components. These processes enhance mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Proper post-processing ensures that 3D-printed copper performs comparably to conventionally manufactured copper, enabling its use in demanding industrial applications.

Protection

IP protection is what most people are worried about when it comes to 3D printing because we get orders in which we have to copy the original design precisely.

Non-Disclosure Agreements

We uphold strict confidentiality by default for all customer communication, projects, and models. Should you prefer a formal agreement, we offer standard NDAs or can review your own. Your trust is our priority.

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Available
Materials for FDM 3D Printing

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