3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / Use Cases / 3D Printing Copper
revopoint

3D Printing Copper

February 17, 2020

We’ve all heard of the Bronze Age and the Iron Age but what of the Copper Age? Bronze, an alloy consisting mostly of copper that is strengthened by the addition of tin or other light metals, was discovered after pure copper had been used extensively for over a thousand years to fashion tools, weapons, coins, and jewelry. Of course, once humans could work with the much-harder iron, bronze became mostly obsolete. In the era of 3D printing, discovering the methods of handling these metals has unfolded in the reverse order as steel (iron) 3D printing has been available in several technological formats while copper 3D printing has become available only recently.

Why the delay? The hold up was caused by the reflectivity of copper, which reflects back much of the light from the laser that’s used to sinter metal powders in metal 3D printers. But that hurdle was overcome and other printing technologies have also developed methods of printing copper. But if copper isn’t as strong as steel, why print with it?

Properties of copper

  • Highly electrically conductive – There’s a reason copper wiring is common and it’s because the material exhibits little resistance to electrical currents. It’s also found in electromagnets for the same reason.
  • Excellent thermal conductivity – Copper conducts and dissipates heat effectively so it’s an ideal material for heat sinks, heat pipes, and radiators. It makes a great saucepan, too.
  • Resistant to corrosion – Weather, wear, heat, and most chemicals have little effect on copper, which is why its used in plumbing, electrical cables, and cookware. Jewelry and art pieces made from copper can survive for thousands of years.
  • Shiny – Copper has a brilliant luster and it’s popular in jewelry and architecture for that special shimmer.

When we take all those wonderful properties and combine them with the precision and geometric freedom of 3D printing, we get designs that provide fantastic improvements in functionality, such as: internal conformal channels on rocket nozzles, curved and irregular heat pipes, lattice structures for integral thermal shielding, wicking structures, micro filters with passive cooling, and 3D circuits. And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.

Related Story
Metal 3D Printing: An Overview of the Most Common Types

So how is copper 3D printed?

  • Metal Powder Bed Fusion – A laser sinters consecutive cross-sections onto a bed of copper powder one layer at a time.
  • DED – A fine stream of copper powder is deposited and immediately sintered with a high-power laser, and parts are built up one layer at a time.
  • Metal Material Extrusion – Copper powder is made into rods / filament using a small amount of binder to make it printable on filament deposition 3D printers. Just-printed “green” parts have to go through a debinding process. The debound “brown” parts then go into a furnace to be sintered into solid metal. Markforged recently announced that they’ve added copper to their material selection using this method in their propriety printers. Additionally, The Virtual Foundry offers copper filament that can be printed on most desktop 3D printers, though users must find their own debinding and sintering service.

In our high-tech world of regular rocket launches and pocket-sized computers, there are unlimited applications for 3D printed copper. Where do you think it will shine?

Featured image courtesy of Markforged

Related Story
Copper Rocket Engine Test Launch Date Draws Near
Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Cameron Naramore
Cameron is a 3D printer and CNC operator. He's fond of cooking, traveling, and science fiction.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Bhumi’s Emma van Engelen Pioneers Fashion Tech Activism

Dutch designer Emma van Engelen debuted her fashion label Bhumi at Amsterdam Fashion Week in spring 2024. The brand combines 3D printing technology... read more »

Fashion

Oerlikon Donates Metal 3D Printer to W.S. Lee College of Engineering

Oerlikon AM has donated a metal 3D printer to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science at UNC Charlotte's William States Lee... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Oerlikon Donates Metal 3D Printer to W.S. Lee College of Engineering

Damen and CEAD Partner to Develop 3D Printed HDPE Workboat

Damen Compact Crafts (DCCr) and CEAD have announced a new collaboration to develop a 3D-printed HDPE Workboat using CEAD's HDPro material. The project... read more »

News
Damen and CEAD Partner to Develop 3D Printed HDPE Workboat

30-Meter 3D Printed Tor Alva Tower Unveiled in Swiss Alps

A new architectural landmark called Tor Alva has opened in Mulegns, Switzerland, created through advanced 3D concrete printing techniques. The white tower, designed... read more »

Construction
30-Meter 3D Printed Tor Alva Tower Unveiled in Swiss Alps

Rarify and Gantri Unveil Modular 3D Printed Lighting System

Gantri, a California-based lighting manufacturer, has partnered with vintage furniture dealer Rarify to create a modular 3D-printed light system called the Cube One... read more »

News

Outokumpu Develops Stainless Steel Powder for Aerospace Additive Manufacturing

Outokumpu, a stainless steel manufacturer, is expanding its metal powder production for additive manufacturing into the aerospace sector. The company will deliver a... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Outokumpu Develops Stainless Steel Powder for Aerospace Additive Manufacturing

Deep Learning Approach Identifies 3D Printing Sources from Photographs

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new method for identifying the source of 3D printed parts using high-resolution photography... read more »

News
Deep Learning Approach Identifies 3D Printing Sources from Photographs

CEAD to Open Facility for 3D Printed Vessels in The Netherlands

Dutch company CEAD is establishing a new manufacturing facility near its headquarters in Delft. The 2,300-square-meter space will function as a maritime application... read more »

News
CEAD to Open Facility for 3D Printed Vessels in The Netherlands

Fabric8Labs and Wiwynn to Demonstrate ECAM Cold Plate Technology at Computex 2025

Fabric8Labs and Wiwynn have announced a collaboration to showcase advanced cold plates for AI data centers at Computex 2025. The partnership combines Fabric8Labs'... read more »

News
Fabric8Labs and Wiwynn to Demonstrate ECAM Cold Plate Technology at Computex 2025

Stratasys Acquires Key Assets of Forward AM

Stratasys has acquired the key assets and operations of Forward AM, establishing a new standalone company within Stratasys called Mass Additive Manufacturing GmbH.... read more »

News
Stratasys Acquires Key Assets and Operations of Forward AM

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing