99.5-99.9% dendritic copper, top green strength for PM bearings and brushes. Light/medium/heavy density grades, Cu-10Sn premixes, cold spray cuts.
QUICK ANSWER
Electrolytic copper powder is 99.5-99.9% pure copper with a dendritic (fern-like) particle structure produced by electrodeposition, giving the highest green strength of any copper powder at low apparent density. It is the standard grade for PM bronze bearings and structural parts, electrical brushes and contacts, friction materials, and cold spray feedstock.
The dendritic shape is engineered by the electrolysis parameters and is the whole point: fern-like particles interlock on pressing into strong green compacts at low pressure, sinter actively at 750-850 °C, and create the pore structures bronze bearings need. Blended with tin powder it becomes the self-lubricating bronze bushing material produced by the billion; blended with graphite it becomes motor brushes; its purity makes it the conductivity reference among copper powders. Buyers distinguish it from water atomized copper by green strength requirements — dendritic wins where pressing performance matters.
MATERIAL DATA
Lot-level controls focus on the chemistry, particle characteristics, and process values that influence manufacturing consistency and finished-part performance.
| Element | Content | Performance Role |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | > 99.5 wt% | High-purity base — conductivity and sintering reference |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.1-0.4 wt% | Surface oxide — reduced during sintering |
| Lead (Pb) | < 0.05 wt% | Impurity limit for PM and electrical grades |
| Iron (Fe) | < 0.03 wt% | Trace control preserving conductivity |
| Acid insolubles | < 0.05 wt% | Electrolysis residue limit |
Final limits can be aligned with the agreed purchase specification.
APPLICATIONS
Self-lubricating bronze bearings are the volume application: electrolytic copper blended with 10 percent tin powder, pressed and sintered, becomes the oil-impregnated bushing material inside billions of motors and appliances. The dendritic structure's green strength lets bearing producers press at the low densities that maximize oil-holding porosity, and its sintering activity develops the bronze bond network at standard furnace temperatures. Bearing makers buy on green strength and sintered growth consistency — the dimensions of a bushing are set in the powder lot.
Electrical and friction applications follow: carbon brush and contact materials (copper-graphite PM), friction formulations for brakes and clutches, PM structural copper parts where conductivity matters, diamond tool bonds, and cold spray feedstock (the irregular morphology bonds at lower velocity than spherical). Conductive paste fillers and chemical copper applications take the finer cuts — a diversified demand base that keeps electrolytic copper a PM industry staple.
PRESS & SINTER (PM) POWDERS
CUSTOM SUPPLY
We supply electrolytic copper powder in standard and fine dendritic grades with certified green strength, apparent density, and purity per lot. Light and heavy apparent-density variants for different pressing targets, bronze premixes with tin pre-blended, and cold-spray optimized cuts are available. Not export-controlled.
We supply electrolytic copper powder in standard and fine dendritic grades with certified green strength, apparent density, and purity per lot.
Light and heavy apparent-density variants for different pressing targets, bronze premixes with tin pre-blended, and cold-spray optimized cuts are available.
MATERIAL COMPARISON
| Comparison Point | This Product | Water Atomized Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Morphology | Dendritic — maximum interlock | Irregular-to-rounded |
| Green strength | Highest | Moderate |
| Apparent density | Low (1.0-2.5) | Higher (2.5-3.5) |
| Flowability | Poor — cohesive | Good |
| Conductivity | Reference grade | Comparable |
| Best use | Bearings, brushes, low-pressure PM | Higher-density parts, paste fillers |
TECHNICAL FAQ
Need a different chemistry, particle range, or processing route? Our material team can review the requirement and supply window.
Light grades (1.0-1.5 g/cm³) for maximum porosity bearings; medium (1.5-2.2) for general bushings. The apparent density sets your fill depth and pressed porosity — we certify it per lot and hold tight windows for repeat programs.
Yes — Cu-10Sn premixes with lubricant, blended to your specification with certified homogeneity, are a standard supply form that removes a mixing step from your plant.
Yes — its irregular dendritic morphology bonds at lower particle velocities than spherical powder, suiting lower-pressure systems. See Category 3 for our dedicated cold spray copper grades.
99.7%+ with low iron and lead — impurities harden the copper and raise contact resistance. Our electrical grades certify the full impurity panel per lot.
No. Copper powders ship freely under standard documentation.
RELATED PRODUCTS
Compare neighboring grades from the same material family, then review the complete category for additional chemistry and particle options.
Water atomized 316L PM grade, 6.6-7.2 g/cm³ sintered, certified corrosion performance. Pump, lock, marine and filter parts. 304L/410L alternatives.
Pre-alloyed CuSn10 with certified dimensional change per lot. Precision bushings, porous filters, marine PM. Lead-free compliant, custom cuts.
Cu, CuSn, CuZn friction powders with certified sintering behavior. Motorcycle, racing, wind and industrial brakes. Pre-blended matrices, IATF documentation.
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