In CNC machining, material choice is key.
It affects part performance, machining speed, and service life.
Today we introduce an industrial pure copper with high conductivity and easy machining: Copper Cu-ETP 2.0060.
If you need a material with both great conductivity and good machinability, this guide will help you.
What is Copper Cu-ETP 2.0060?
Cu-ETP 2.0060 means Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper.
It is one of the most used high-purity copper grades in industry.
It is used in electrical engineering, cooling systems, and precision part production.
Other Names and Standards for Cu-ETP
| Standard System | Mark |
| EN | Cu-ETP / 2.0060 |
| ASTM / UNS | C11000 |
| GB | T2 Copper |
| DIN | Cu-ETP R220 / R250 / R290 |
| Trade Name | ETP Copper / electrolytic copper |
Chemical Composition (Typical) of Cu-ETP
| Chemical Elements | Content |
| Cu | ≥ 99.90%（Commonly, it is 99.95%.） |
| O | 0.02 – 0.04%（contain oxygen） |
| Other impurities | A very small amount of Fe, Pb, S, etc. |
Oxygen content gives it very high conductivity, but limits its use in vacuum or hydrogen environments.
Main Mechanical Properties (Soft R220) of Cu-ETP
| Item | Value |
| strength of extension | 220–260 MPa |
| yield strength | ≥ 70 MPa |
| percentage elongation | ≥ 30% |
| hardness | 40–60 HB |
| density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
Cu-ETP：Advantages vs Disadvantages
Advantages
- Very high conductivity (about 101% IACS)
- Excellent heat conduction
- Easy turning, milling, and drilling
- Good ductility, suitable for cold work
- High surface quality after machining
Disadvantages
- Oxygen content makes it unsuitable for vacuum or hydrogen
- Welding can cause pores
- Medium strength, not for high-load parts
Cu-ETP in CNC Milling
1. Suitable Parts
- Large flat surfaces, pockets, cavities
- Location holes, multi-face parts
- Connector plates and contacts with high conductivity and accuracy
2. Machining Tips
- Cutting tool
Mill with hard alloy end mills with sharp cutting edges (uncoated or DLC-coated).
It is not recommended to use tools that have been passivated or plated with titanium, as this can easily cause copper chips to adhere.
- Cutting parameter
We recommend the light cutting strategy of high rotational speed, low feed rate and shallow cutting depth.
- Cooling lubrication
Using oil-based or water-soluble cutting fluids can reduce the temperature rise during cutting and prevent oxidation and discoloration.
It is strongly recommended to use a directional nozzle for cooling to keep the cutting tip clean.
- Surface treatment
During the fine milling stage, specialized finishing tools can be used to enhance the surface finish.
If the appearance requirements are high, a light polishing process can be carried out at the end.
Cu-ETP in CNC Turning
1. Suitable Parts
- Cylindrical electrodes, rotary joints, terminals
- High concentricity shafts/pins
- Thin-wall parts (control cutting force)
2. Machining Tips
- Holding
Turn with oft jaws or rubber pads， and use steady rest or tailstock for long parts.
- Cutting tools
Sharp carbide turning tools, avoid deep chip breakers.
- Cutting condition
Try to use continuous cutting to reduce the heat accumulation caused by tool changes or suspensions.
Control the feed rate within 0.05 to 0.1 mm/revolution, and the cutting depth should be as less as possible (< 1 mm).
- Protection
Deburr and chamfer, avoid bare-hand handling.
Common Application of Cu-ETP
- Electrodes, conductive plates, connectors
- Busbars, grounding bars, switch contacts
- Motor windings, transformer conductors
- Heat sinks, cooling plates
- High-end hardware, structural parts
As a precision mechanical processing enterprise with many years of experience, we have formulated a number of quality control and process optimization plans for Cu-ETP copper materials:
- Use high-speed and high-stiffness CNC machines to ensure cutting efficiency and surface quality；
- Use professional copper tools to reduce sticking of the tool and extend the tool life；
- Full-process quality tracking：from raw material inspection， size control， surface testing to pre-shipment review；
- Customize fixtures and optimize tool paths to improve part accuracy；
- Can provide original material certificates (3.1 certificate) and processing reports according to customer requirements.
If you want precision parts from high-conductivity copper, Copper Cu-ETP 2.0060 is a great choice.
We have solid experience, full equipment, and stable quality control. Contact us for samples or a quote.
We also machine 7075, 6082, 316L, and more. Leave a message or follow us for more materials guides.
