Monthly Production Capacity of 10 Tons: CNPC Achieves Breakthroughs in 3D Printing Pure Copper and CuCrZr Alloy Powders

Panda3dp.com guide:With continuous improvements in material properties and process optimization, the applications of 3D printing pure copper and copper alloy powders have expanded further. Copper-chromium-zirconium (CuCrZr) alloy is a high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloy for 3D printing. In this alloy system, zirconium (Zr) plays a crucial role in the overall material performance, effectively inhibiting grain growth to ensure excellent mechanical strength, hardness, and conductivity under high-temperature conditions. However, Zr burn-off during processing has made precise composition control a longstanding industry challenge.

On December 23, 2024, it was reported by Panda3dp.com that CNPC（中体新材）, a leading innovator in 3D printing metal materials, successfully overcame this bottleneck. The company developed a stable and precise Zr composition control technology, maintaining Zr content within the range of 0.1-1% with deviations strictly limited to 0.1%. This precision ensures consistency in every batch of CuCrZr alloy powder.

CNPC’s CuCrZr Alloy Powder

The newly launched CuCrZr alloy powder demonstrates outstanding flowability (Hall flow rate < 20s/50g), meeting the requirements of laser powder bed fusion printing. Furthermore, its excellent sintering activity yields printed components with superior mechanical properties.

△Test Samples of Copper-Chromium-Zirconium Alloy by 3D Printing

△Optical Image of Metallographic Blocks

△Density Test of Samples

△Tensile Property Test after Heat Treatment

- Vickers Hardness Test: Average value of 175.3.

- Density Test: Average density exceeding 99%.

- Heat-Treated Tensile Strength: 584 MPa.

- Yield Strength: 487 MPa.

- Elongation: 20%.

CNPC now maintains a stable monthly production capacity of several tons of CuCrZr alloy powder, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality materials.

CNPC’s Spherical Pure Copper Powder

Simultaneously, Zhongti’s R&D team introduced an anti-oxidation technology for spherical pure copper powder, addressing its high susceptibility to oxidation. This technology forms a stable protective layer during production, storage, transportation, and 3D printing, keeping oxygen content at minimal levels. After the 3D printing process, the oxygen content of pure copper components can be controlled below 1000 ppm. This guarantees excellent conductivity and mechanical properties, enabling stable performance in fields like electronics and power systems, where superior conductivity is essential. The technology also extends the lifespan of pure copper components, reducing performance degradation and material waste caused by oxidation, leading to cost savings in maintenance and replacements.

The company’s proprietary AMP production process enables the large-scale production of 3D printing-grade pure copper powder. Through meticulous optimization of the atomization process, Zhongti achieves a stable monthly output exceeding 10 tons, providing robust supply chain support for large-scale manufacturing.

Diverse Application Areas

- Aerospace: Copper alloy powders are utilized to manufacture complex components for aircraft engines and satellite structures, such as high-performance electronic equipment housings that maintain stable operation in high-temperature environments. Lightweight satellite antenna structures benefit from optimized designs to improve precision and performance while reducing launch costs.

- Automotive Manufacturing: Copper alloy parts are applied in critical components like engine blocks, radiators, and brake systems. Their excellent thermal conductivity enhances engine cooling efficiency, while their high strength and lightweight properties reduce overall vehicle weight, improving fuel economy and performance.

- Tooling and Molding: 3D-printed copper alloy molds integrate complex cooling channels, improving cooling efficiency and extending tool life. Rapid heat dissipation during the forming process shortens cycle times and boosts productivity.

- Medical Field: Customized implants such as joint prostheses and spinal fixation devices can be fabricated based on patients’ anatomical and physiological requirements. Copper alloys’ antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility provide enhanced treatment outcomes and recovery experiences for patients.

Future Outlook

Material innovation, process optimization, and application expansion will be the three driving forces for the development of 3D printing copper alloy powders. CNPC aims to explore novel copper alloy compositions and ratios, advancing the precise addition of alloying elements and surface modification parameters. These efforts will improve laser absorption and forming quality, resulting in copper alloys with greater strength, conductivity, thermal performance, and heat resistance, laying a solid foundation for broader applications of 3D-printed copper alloy components.