CuCrZr

metal

copper alloy — precipitation-hardened

CuCr1ZrCopper-Chromium-ZirconiumCu-Cr-ZrCW106CUNS C18150

Density

8.90 g/cm³

YS (LPBF as-built, IR laser 1070 nm (XY))

160–250 MPa

UTS (LPBF as-built, IR laser 1070 nm (XY))

230–360 MPa

Elongation (LPBF as-built, IR laser 1070 nm (XY))

10.0–28.0 %

Thermal conductivity

220.0–280.0 W/m·K

Composition — ISO 1337 CuCr1Zr / UNS C18150

Element	Min %	Max %	Notes
Cu	bal.		balance
Cr	0.50	1.200	Primary hardening element via Cr precipitates; reduces conductivity loss vs. Cu-Be
Zr	0.03	0.300	Grain boundary strengthening; improves creep resistance and conductivity retention on ageing
Fe	—	0.100
Si	—	0.100
Pb

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Mechanical & thermal properties — 3 conditions

Property	LPBF as-built, IR laser 1070 nm (XY)	LPBF + solution anneal (980°C/1h) + age (480°C/3h) (XY)	LPBF green laser (515 nm) as-built (XY)
Yield strength (0.2%)	160–250 MPa	280–390 MPa	200–290 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength	230–360 MPa	350–450 MPa	300–410 MPa
Elongation at break	10.0–28.0 %	8.0–20.0 %	—
Hardness (HV)	—	120–155 HV10	—
Density	8.90 g/cm³	—	—
Relative density	96.0–98.5 %	—	98.8–99.7 %
Thermal conductivity	220.0–280.0 W/m·K	290.0–340.0 W/m·K	250.0–295.0 W/m·K

Values shown as min–max where a spread is reported, otherwise as typical ± unit. Ranges reflect inter-source variation, not single-sample scatter. All values are for AM-processed specimens unless noted.

Engineering considerations

Laser selection: green laser (515 nm, e.g. Trumpf TruPrint 1000 Green Edition) is the recommended platform for CuCrZr LPBF. IR laser can produce acceptable parts but requires extensive parameter development and accepts lower relative density. Green laser delivers >99% relative density with less parameter sensitivity.
Heat treatment: the full solution anneal + quench + age cycle is required for design-conductivity properties. Solution anneal at 980°C/1h in inert gas or vacuum (copper oxidises readily); water quench immediately; age at 480°C/3h. The exact quench rate is critical — slow quenching reduces precipitation hardening effectiveness.
Conformal cooling design: minimum internal channel diameter of 1.5 mm for LPBF CuCrZr (vs. 0.8 mm for SS316L) due to partially fused powder removal difficulty. Design channels with 45° inclination where possible to minimise support need. Self-supporting arches preferred for overhead channel geometry.
Thermal conductivity vs. density trade-off: accept lower relative density only if the application tolerates it. For rocket nozzles and high-heat-flux applications, HIP before ageing closes porosity and maximises conductivity. For conformal cooling, 97–98% density is often acceptable.
Support structures: use thin breakaway tabs (0.1–0.2 mm effective attachment) due to the difficulty of CuCrZr machining. Copper work-hardens rapidly — use sharp carbide tools at high surface speed, low chip load.
Residual stress: CuCrZr LPBF has lower residual stress than steel or Ni alloys due to the high thermal conductivity (faster heat dissipation). Preheat to 200°C can further reduce distortion risk for large parts.
Powder oxidation: copper oxidises readily. Store powder in sealed containers with desiccant. Use Ar or N₂ atmosphere for all powder handling. Oxygen content in build chamber must be < 500 ppm, ideally < 200 ppm.

Advantages

Outstanding thermal conductivity (320 W/m·K aged) — highest of any LPBF structural alloy, 25× better than IN718
Good electrical conductivity (~80% IACS aged) — enables combined electrical + structural applications
Age-hardenable strength — Cr precipitation raises UTS to ~400 MPa, unlike pure copper (~220 MPa)
LPBF enables complex internal cooling channels impossible in conventional CuCrZr manufacturing (forging, rolling)
Biocompatible and non-sparking — useful in pharmaceutical and ATEX environments
Excellent brazeability and solderability — supports hybrid assembly with conventional copper components

Limitations

High laser reflectivity (~95% at 1070 nm) — requires either green laser (preferred) or elevated VED that risks keyholing with IR laser
Low relative density in IR laser LPBF (96–98.5%) vs. other LPBF metals (>99.5%) — reduces thermal conductivity from theoretical maximum
Green laser LPBF machines are significantly more expensive and less widely available than IR laser systems
High powder cost — atomised CuCrZr LPBF powder is 5–8× the cost of stainless steel powder
Support removal is difficult — copper supports weld to the part surface; machining allowance for support areas is critical
Thermal conductivity is highest after full heat treatment cycle — as-built conductivity is 20–25% lower
Copper dust and fume is a health hazard — strict occupational hygiene controls required in powder handling areas
No dedicated AM CuCrZr standard — higher qualification cost vs. standardised alloys

Typical applications

Conformal cooling inserts for injection moulding tools — channels follow part contour for uniform coolingRocket engine nozzle liners and combustion chamber walls — relies on conductivity to protect structure under thermal loadInduction coil formers — combines high conductivity with structural integrityHigh-power RF and microwave waveguide componentsThermal management heat sinks with complex internal flow channelsResistance welding electrodes with internal coolingCryogenic heat exchangers for liquefied gas processingHigh-current bus bar connectors with integrated cooling

Standards & certifications

ASTM-F3049established

Powder feedstock characterisation for LPBF CuCrZr

aerospaceenergyindustrial

No dedicated AM CuCrZr material standard exists. Process qualification follows OEM-specific qualification plans.

ISO-52904established

Process qualification for safety-critical metal PBF parts — applied to CuCrZr for aerospace applications

aerospaceenergy

CuCrZr

Composition — ISO 1337 CuCr1Zr / UNS C18150

Mechanical & thermal properties — 3 conditions

Engineering considerations

Advantages

Limitations

Typical applications

Industries

Standards & certifications

Compatible AM processes (1)

Other metal materials

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