Copper Foam
Copper Foam
Main Highlights
- Damping materials
- High-efficiency thermal conductivity materials
- Industrial filtration materials
- High-grade aesthetic materials
Copper Foam Specification and Details
Copper foam (Cu foam) is a crystalline solid skeleton structure with a robust, extremely porous, permeable structure and a regulated foam density per unit volume. The cell and connective matrix are reproducible, regular, and consistent throughout the material. It is not crushed, coated, or plated in any way. Its purity is generally the same as that of the original alloy copper, with no holes, impurities, or impalements. Copper metal foam performs admirably in heat transfer applications. Copper Foam Sheet has been extensively applied in fabricating battery negative carrier materials, electrode substrates of lithium-ion batteries or fuels, cell-catalyst carriers, and electrical insulation materials. It is the foundation of a battery electrode, and it has several significant advantages.
Structure and Design
Micro-porous copper foam has the appearance of an open-cell structure, with an unusually high number of interconnecting pores spread evenly throughout the underlying copper substance. It has good thermal characteristics and may be widely employed in heat conduction radiation motor/electrical and electronic components. The industry is also interested in copper metal foams due to their excellent electrical conductivity, nickel-zinc battery, and use of polymer electrolytes for an electric double-layer capacitor. Filtering elements of Cu foam are superior water purification filter materials due to their foam structure properties and are non-toxic to the human body.
Copper metal foam structures with open porosity walls have been successfully sculpted utilizing an electrochemical deposition process gas. The foams pore diameters and wall architectures may change by altering the deposition conditions. The fall in pore size is due to the addition of a bubble stabilizer (e.g., acetic acid) that reduces bubble convergence. In contrast, the reduction in branches in the foam wall is due to the electrocatalytic activity of chloride ions in the metal deposition process.
In addition, the response surface approach helps investigate the impacts of carbonate volume percentage and pore volume on the flexural behaviour of mechanically optimized foams. Based on the examination of variances, it was discovered that decreasing porosity improves the mechanical characteristics of the foams while reducing average pore sizes has a comparable effect. Porous metallic materials, also known as metal foams, have gained popularity due to their unique qualities such as high specific strength, heat resistance, and electrical conductivity. Based on their openings and connectedness, pore size distribution in metal foams may be open and closed pores. Metal foams with open interconnecting pores are multifunctional, particularly in heat and mass transfer applications.
Technical Specification of Copper Foam
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Copper Foam |
| Chemical Symbol | Cu |
| Material | Copper |
| Structure | Porous, interconnected metallic skeleton |
| Cell Configuration | Open-cell structure with interconnected pores |
| Relative Density | 3–12%, as stated on the product page |
| Absolute Density | Not specified; depends on the selected foam configuration |
| Pore Size | Not specified; varies with manufacturing and deposition conditions |
| Porosity | Not specified as a single product-wide value |
| Thermal Conductivity | High heat-transfer potential due to copper’s thermal properties and the foam’s large surface area |
| Electrical Conductivity | Conductive metallic structure suitable for selected electrode and electrical applications |
| Heat Transfer Characteristics | Enhanced fluid-to-surface heat transfer potential compared with conventional solid fins in suitable configurations |
| Mechanical Behaviour | Elastic deformation followed by a progressive collapse region under compression |
| Compression Behaviour | Initial elastic response described on the product page, followed by approximately constant-stress collapse at around 4–6% strain; the collapse region may extend to approximately 50–70% strain depending on foam volume concentration |
| Corrosion Resistance | Generally stable in the pH range of 4.5–8.5, as stated on the product page; verify compatibility for the specific environment |
| Surface Treatment | Chemical coating and metal plating options are described; confirm available treatments for the selected product |
| Manufacturing Method | Electrochemical deposition is described for producing open-porosity copper foam |
| Structure Customization | Pore size and wall architecture can be influenced by manufacturing conditions |
| Filtration Characteristics | Suitable for selected gas and liquid filtration applications, depending on pore structure |
| Electromagnetic Shielding | Potential use in electromagnetic shielding applications |
| Key Features | High thermal and electrical conductivity, porous structure, permeability and energy-absorption potential |
| Applications | Battery electrodes, fuel-cell components, heat exchangers, filtration, catalysts, vibration damping and thermal management |
Properties of Copper Foam
Thermal Conductivity
For its size and weight, the product has high heat conductivity. Heat transmission to/from fluids moving through the foam is substantially increased compared to solid fins because of the increased surface area. Because of the enormous surface area is also suited for usage with phase change materials (PCM), which enhances coupling to PCM.
Pressure Tolerance
When anyone pressures the metal foam sheet structure, it initially yields elastically. However, due to the sample size, the structure begins to bend and constantly collapses at a pretty constant tension at around 4-6% of strain. This continual collapse will progress to approximately 50-70% of strain depending on the initial volume concentration of the foam. As the compressed foam reaches the “compaction” phase, the stress/strain curve will climb. The pressure tolerance of the foam is the point on the stress/strain curve when it switches from the elastic to plastic deformation phase. That is a crucial engineering parameter since it is necessary for any structure that keeps its form under design load to operate below that level.
Conductivity of electricity
Copper is an excellent conductor. As a result, researchers can use the foam as a conducting medium or as an electrode in dielectrics. It’s also shielded against electromagnetic radiation. It is because of the foam’s massive surface area.
Density
We create this product from solid copper that has a low density. The resultant foam is extraordinarily light and popular in weight-sensitive aeronautical applications. We can lower the relative density of the foam to 3% to 12%. Post-foaming compression is excellent for generating higher densities. It has a max tensile ratio as well. It’s a perfect choice for lightweight construction applications. It is an appropriate medium for goods such as aviation air oil separators due to its high surface area/volume and improved tortuosity, which may be modified to provide optimal pressure drop.
Coatings
The copper sheet foam may be anodized, chemically coated, and metal-plated in the same way as solid copper can for better corrosion resistance and heat conductivity.
Corrosion Resistance
This layer is generally stable at pH levels ranging from 4.5 to 8.5. Copper is exceptionally corrosion-resistant within that pH range. Copper innately has a strong oxide coating that helps resist corrosion.
Applications of Copper Foam
Catalyst and carrier filter medium and medium in the separator are examples of chemical engineering fields where Cu foam finds its application. Moreover, in industrial and thermal engineering, its uses are
- Damping materials,
- High-efficiency thermal conductivity materials,
- Industrial filtration materials, and
- High-grade aesthetic materials.
As a Buffering material, it is efficient as a pressure-reducing device used in pressure gauges. It is helpful in Silencer, vibration absorption, buffer electromagnetic shielding, stealth technology, flame retardant, thermal insulation, and other functional materials. Furthermore, it is popular in producing battery electrode frame materials such as nickel-zinc batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and electric double-layer capacitors. Vehicles lighter in weight, ships lighter in weight, and structures lighter in weight are all examples of lightweight due to the copper metal foam.
Comparison of Copper Foam
| Parameter | Copper Foam | Aluminum Foam | Titanium Foam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Material | Copper | Aluminum or aluminum alloy | Titanium |
| Structure | Porous metallic skeleton, commonly with interconnected open cells | Random-pore or ordered-pore cellular structure | Porous structure with adjustable cell geometry |
| Thermal Conductivity | Strong candidate for applications requiring effective heat transfer | Useful for selected heat exchangers and thermal-management designs | Depends on foam structure; selected for applications requiring titanium’s material characteristics |
| Electrical Conductivity | Well suited to conductive structures and selected electrode applications | Conductive; performance depends on alloy and foam geometry | Conductive; performance depends on grade and foam geometry |
| Weight Considerations | Foam structure can reduce overall density relative to solid copper | Low-density option; product page lists 0.11–0.41 g/cm³ | Porosity reduces overall density relative to solid titanium |
| Corrosion Resistance | Depends on environment, surface condition and exposure | Depends on alloy and operating conditions | Generally excellent in many environments, depending on grade and conditions |
| Energy Absorption | Can absorb energy through progressive compression and structural collapse | Suitable for impact-energy absorption and crash-protection designs | Can provide energy absorption depending on pore structure and design |
| Fluid and Gas Permeability | Interconnected pores support flow in suitable configurations | Depends on whether the selected foam has an open-cell structure | Depends on pore connectivity and manufacturing method |
| Battery and Electrochemical Applications | Useful for investigating electrode substrates, battery components and fuel-cell applications | Potentially suitable for selected energy and electrochemical systems | Potentially suitable for specialized energy research applications |
| Filtration Applications | Suitable for selected liquid and gas filtration designs | Can be used in filtration when pore structure meets requirements | Useful for specialized filtration applications where material compatibility is important |
| Acoustic and Vibration Control | Potential for vibration damping and selected noise-control designs | Useful for sound absorption and noise reduction in suitable structures | Depends on pore geometry and component design |
| Biomedical Potential | Requires application-specific evaluation of copper exposure and biocompatibility | Depends on alloy, surface and intended application | Promising for suitable biomedical research and implant applications |
| Best Suited For | Heat transfer, electrical conduction, electrochemical research and specialized filtration | Weight-sensitive structures, impact absorption and acoustic applications | Applications prioritizing titanium’s corrosion resistance and selected biomedical or high-performance characteristics |
Note: This comparison is qualitative. Actual performance depends on the material grade, relative density, pore size, pore connectivity, manufacturing process and operating environment.
Why Choose Techinstro Copper Foam?
Techinstro Copper Foam is a porous metallic material designed for research and industrial applications that benefit from copper’s electrical and thermal properties combined with a high-surface-area cellular structure. Its interconnected pores make it a useful candidate for heat transfer, electrochemical systems, filtration and specialized engineering applications.
- High Thermal Conductivity: Copper’s thermal properties and the foam’s extended surface area make it suitable for investigating heat-transfer and thermal-management applications.
- Electrical Conductivity: Its conductive metallic structure supports selected electrode, electrical and electrochemical research applications.
- Porous Open-Cell Structure: Interconnected pores can allow fluid or gas flow, depending on pore size, connectivity and the application requirements.
- Battery and Fuel-Cell Research: Copper foam can be evaluated for battery electrode substrates, conductive supports and selected fuel-cell-related applications.
- Heat-Exchange Potential: The large surface area can improve heat exchange between the foam and flowing fluids in appropriately designed systems.
- Filtration Applications: Its porous structure makes it a candidate for selected industrial gas and liquid filtration systems.
- Energy Absorption and Damping: Progressive compression and structural collapse can be useful in applications involving vibration damping and energy absorption.
- Electromagnetic Shielding Potential: Conductive copper structures can be considered for selected electromagnetic shielding designs.
- Adjustable Pore Architecture: Manufacturing conditions can influence pore dimensions and the structure of the metallic walls, allowing application-specific material evaluation.
- Versatile Industrial Use: Potential applications include thermal engineering, chemical processing, catalyst supports, filtration, electrical components and advanced materials research.
- Customization Support: Contact Techinstro to discuss required dimensions, pore structure, density, surface treatment and application-specific requirements.
- Research and Industrial Supply: Techinstro supports copper foam requirements for research projects and industrial applications, subject to product availability and specifications.
Looking for copper foam for a battery, heat exchanger, filtration system or research project? Contact Techinstro with your required dimensions, pore characteristics, operating conditions and intended application to request a suitable specification and quotation.
How To Use Copper Foam?
- Take out the product from the container and place it on a clean surface.
- Make sure you’re wearing your safety equipment.
- Use the product under the experiment’s specifications.
Safety Measures?
- Because the copper metal foam sheets may have sharp edges, Heavy Duty Gloves are mandatory.
- Dress in a full-sleeved shirt, long pants, and shoes to avoid direct contact with the metal.
- If the research includes chemical gas exposure, wear protective glasses and masks.
- Keep fire extinguishers available to avert mishaps.
Why Choose Us?
Techinstro commits to providing exceptional quality goods to our clients. We are a known manufacturer of copper foams and various other metal foams. We have a dedicated staff with over ten years of industry expertise. As a result, we understand our clients’ requirements and can meet them. The products are of high quality and fit the needs of both industrial and research applications. We provide product customization based on our clients’ needs, where our professionals serve clients with product assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will be delighted if you work with us. Our items may be shipped anywhere in the world. Contact us right away to place your purchases.
FAQ's
It is an open-cell, porous form of copper that weighs much less than solid copper and offers far more surface area.
The standard sheet is 200 × 300 mm with a thickness of 1.5 mm, and other sizes can be made on request.
It is used in battery electrodes, heat transfer parts, industrial filtration, catalyst carriers, vibration damping, and silencers.
Fluid passing through the foam touches far more surface than it would with solid fins, so heat moves in and out much faster.
Yes, copper is an excellent conductor, so the foam works well as a conducting medium or an electrode.
It can be produced with a relative density of 3% to 12%, and post-foaming compression can increase it further.
It has an open-cell structure with interconnected pores evenly distributed throughout the material.
PPI stands for pores per inch, and a higher PPI number means smaller, more closely packed pores.
Yes, it stays stable within a pH range of 4.5 to 8.5, helped by copper’s natural oxide layer.
Yes, it can be as its conductive structure and large surface area help block electromagnetic radiation.
Open-cell foam has connected pores that let gases and liquids pass through, while closed-cell foam has sealed pores, and our copper foam is open-cell.
Yes, it is used as an electrode substrate in lithium-ion, nickel-zinc, and nickel-hydrogen batteries, as well as in double-layer capacitors.
Lower porosity and smaller pores make the foam mechanically stronger, while the pore structure also controls the pressure drop for fluid flow.
Yes, its interconnected pores make it a good choice for industrial filters, water purification filters and air-oil separators.
Yes, it can be anodized, chemically coated or metal-plated like solid copper to improve corrosion resistance and heat conduction.