Electrolytic Copper Powder
Functional copper engineered for sub-ppm impurity thresholds in systems that cannot fai
Electrolytic Copper Powder: The Power of the Dendrite
In the world of advanced manufacturing and electronics, not all copper is created equal. While many are familiar with copper wires or sheets, Electrolytic Copper Powder (ECP) is a specialized industrial material that serves as the “nervous system” for modern devices.
Distinguished by its unique dendritic shape and ultra-high purity, this powder is the preferred choice for applications where performance cannot be compromised.
What is Electrolytic Copper Powder?
Electrolytic copper powder is produced through a process called electrodeposition. In a controlled chemical bath, copper ions are transferred from a pure copper anode to a cathode. By fine-tuning the electrical current and chemical balance, manufacturers prevent the copper from forming a smooth sheet. Instead, it grows into a loose, powdery deposit of branched crystals.
1. The Particle Shape: Dendritic
The word "dendritic" comes from the Greek word dendron, meaning tree. Under a microscope, these particles look like miniature pine trees or snowflakes with complex, branching arms.
Mechanical Interlocking: Because the particles have “arms,” they lock together physically when pressed. This gives the powder high green strength, meaning parts molded from this powder hold their shape perfectly before they are even heated (sintered).
High Surface Area: The branching structure provides a massive surface area relative to its weight. This is critical for chemical reactions and creates more contact points for electricity to flow.
Because the electrolytic process acts as a secondary refining stage, the resulting powder is exceptionally pure—often exceeding 99.9% copper content.
Low Contamination: It has minimal traces of iron, lead, or antimony.
Conductivity: High purity is directly linked to low electrical resistance. Even a $0.1\%$ impurity can significantly degrade the performance of an electronic component.
2. Purity: The 99.9\%+ Standard
Applications: Where It's Used
1. Electronics & Conductive Inks
In the age of flexible electronics and miniaturized circuits, electrolytic copper powder is a primary ingredient in conductive pastes and inks.
How it works: The powder is mixed with resins to create an “ink” that can be printed onto plastic, paper, or glass.
The Advantage: Thanks to the dendritic shape, the particles maintain contact even when the ink is thin or the surface is bent, ensuring a continuous path for electricity.
2. Carbon Brushes
If you’ve ever used a power tool or an electric motor, you’ve used electrolytic copper powder. It is mixed with graphite to create carbon brushes—the components that transfer electricity to the spinning part of a motor. The dendritic shape ensures the brush is strong enough to withstand high speeds while remaining highly conductive.
3. Powder Metallurgy (PM)
The automotive and aerospace industries use this powder to create complex, high-strength parts like self-lubricating bearings. The irregular, porous nature of the dendritic flakes allows the finished part to hold microscopic amounts of oil, reducing friction and extending the life of the machine
Why Choose Electrolytic Over Atomized?
While “atomized” copper powder (which is spherical) is great for flowability in 3D printing, Electrolytic powder is superior when you need:
Maximum Conductivity for electrical applications.
Superior Compressibility for molding complex shapes.
Enhanced Reactivity for chemical catalysis.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS): Electrolytic Copper Powder
Grade: High-Purity Dendritic (ECP-99)
This data sheet outlines the physical and chemical properties of our premium Electrolytic Copper Powder, designed specifically for high-performance electronic and industrial applications.
Sieve Analysis
We offer various particle size distributions to suit your specific manufacturing process.
| Mesh Size | Microns (μm) | Typical Retention (%) |
| -100 Mesh | $< 150 \mu m$ | $95\% – 100\%$ passing |
| -200 Mesh | $< 75 \mu m$ | $90\% – 98\%$ passing |
| -325 Mesh | $< 45 \mu m$ | $80\% – 95\%$ passing |
Our electrolytic process ensures a high-purity product with minimal metallic impurities, ensuring maximum conductivity and reliability.
| Element | Content (%) |
| Copper (Cu) | $\ge 99.90\%$ |
| Iron (Fe) | $\le 0.005\%$ |
| Lead (Pb) | $\le 0.001\%$ |
| Antimony (Sb) | $\le 0.001\%$ |
| Oxygen (O) | $\le 0.15\%$ (Standard Grade) |
The “tree-like” morphology is the defining characteristic of this grade, providing the mechanical interlocking required for superior green strength.
Morphology: Dendritic / Crystalline
Apparent Density: $1.0 – 2.5 \text{ g/cm}^3$ (Adjustable based on mesh size)
Flow Rate: Non-free-flowing (Due to interlocking dendritic structure)
Color: Light Rose / Salmon Pink
Electrical Conductivity: Excellent for conductive fillers and pastes.
Thermal Conductivity: High heat dissipation capabilities for thermal management components.
Compressibility: Exceptional “Green Strength” for powder metallurgy parts, allowing for intricate shapes and thin-walled components.
Sinterability: Low sintering temperatures required due to high surface energy.
Packaging: 25kg vacuum-sealed plastic bags in steel drums or 500kg-1000kg bulk supersacks.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry environment. Once opened, the powder should be used immediately or re-sealed with an inert gas (Nitrogen/Argon) to prevent oxidation.
Shelf Life: 6 months in original sealed packaging.
- CAS Number: 7440-50-8
- Handling: Use appropriate PPE (dust mask and gloves). Copper powder is a skin and eye irritant. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent dust accumulation.
Request a quote
Fill out the form below to receive a personalized quote for your need.