Copper

Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity.

Copper at a glance
Common grades
C110 (ETP) · C101 (OFHC) · C145 (tellurium copper)
Machinability
Pure copper is gummy to machine: it is soft, ductile, and wants to form long stringy chips and built-up edge on the tool.
Tolerances
±0.025 mm standard on linear dimensions; ±0.010 mm on critical features
Processes
CNC milling, CNC turning and 5-axis machining
Finishes
Tin plating · Nickel plating · Silver plating
Used in
Semiconductor, Automotive
Certification
Mill test certificate (chemistry and mechanical properties) with every lot; EN 10204 3.1 certificates on request

Machining Copper

Pure copper is gummy to machine: it is soft, ductile, and wants to form long stringy chips and built-up edge on the tool. Clean results demand very sharp tooling, the right feeds, and experience; the difference shows immediately in surface finish and burr control.

Copper's value is its conductivity: the best practical electrical and thermal conductor after silver. That makes it the material for bus bars, heat sinks and heat spreaders, RF and microwave components, and EDM electrodes.

Burr control matters especially on electrical parts, and we deburr and inspect accordingly. We hold ±0.025 mm on critical copper features, with plating managed where solderability or tarnish protection is required.

Common Grades We Machine

  • C110 (ETP) - Standard electrolytic tough pitch copper for electrical and thermal parts.
  • C101 (OFHC) - Oxygen-free high conductivity for vacuum, cryogenic and high-end RF applications.
  • C145 (tellurium copper) - Free-machining copper: near-full conductivity with far better machinability for volume parts.

Applications by Industry

  • Semiconductor - heat spreaders, electrodes and grounding components.
  • Automotive - bus bars and high-current terminals for electrified platforms.

Surface Finishing Options

  • Tin plating - solderability and contact protection.
  • Nickel plating - tarnish and wear resistance on connectors and hardware.
  • Silver plating - maximum conductivity for RF and high-current contacts.

See our surface finishing services for the full range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do copper parts cost more to machine than brass?

Pure copper's softness causes built-up edge and burrs, so it cuts slower with more careful tooling. Where volume matters and conductivity allows, tellurium copper (C145) restores most of the machinability.

When should I specify OFHC copper?

C101 is for vacuum systems, cryogenics and demanding RF work where oxygen content matters. For ordinary electrical parts, C110 performs equally at lower cost.

Do you plate copper parts?

Yes. Tin for solderability, nickel for durability, silver for maximum conductivity. We manage the finishing chain and deliver inspected, finished parts.

Precision Copper Manufacturing in Singapore

Need complex Copper parts manufactured to tight tolerances? Explore our 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining, CNC milling, CNC turning and certified ISO Class 6–8 cleanroom assembly capabilities.

Speak with Our Sales & Engineering Team

Explore how Shine's Singapore precision CNC machining and cleanroom assembly integrate into your global supply chain. We welcome technical consultations, mutual NDAs, and facility audits.

  • Mutual NDA executed within 24 hours
  • ISO 9001:2015 certified & Cyber Essentials mark
  • 24–48h engineering DFM feedback & formal RFQ pricing