Pure Copper vs. Copper CuCrZr

Pure copper (Cu ETP) and the copper alloy CuCrZr are among the most important copper materials used in industrial 3D printing. While pure copper offers maximum electrical and thermal conductivity, CuCrZr combines high conductivity with increased strength and temperature resistance. Discover which material is best suited for your application.

Material Properties Comparison

Property	Pure Copper	CuCrZr
Electrical Conductivity	Maximum conductivity	High conductivity
Thermal Conductivity	Maximum thermal conductivity	High thermal conductivity
Mechanical Properties	Soft and highly formable	Higher strength
Material Purity	100% pure copper	Copper alloy with approx. 99% copper content
Typical Applications	Conductors, contacts	Inductors, cooling channels

Technical Properties in Detail

Property	Pure Copper	CuCrZr
Density	8.9 g/cm³	8.8–8.9 g/cm³
Tensile Strength	220 ± 10 MPa	220 ± 30 MPa
Electrical Conductivity	57 MS/m	51 MS/m at the surface 32 MS/m in the core
Thermal Conductivity	415 ± 10 W/mK	265 W/mK
Surface Roughness	Ra 8–9 µm	Ra 8–9 µm

Applications of Copper in 3D Printing

Copper and CuCrZr in Industrial Applications

Copper is one of the most important materials for applications requiring high electrical and thermal conductivity. Depending on the application requirements, either pure copper or CuCrZr is used.

Pure copper offers exceptionally high electrical and thermal conductivity and is ideal for components where the transfer of electricity or heat is the primary focus.

Typical Areas of Application at a Glance

Applications can be found in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, electronics, and aerospace.

Typical applications include heat sinks, heat exchangers, inductors and coils, electrical contacts, and components with integrated cooling channels.

Pure Copper:
Maximum electrical and thermal conductivity, ideal for busbars, electrical contacts, conductor structures, and thermally conductive components.

CuCrZr:
High conductivity combined with increased strength, making it ideal for inductors, cooling channels, heat exchangers, and components exposed to thermal or mechanical stress.