Copper cathodes are ultra-high-purity copper products produced through electrolytic refining or electrowinning processes. They represent the primary commercial form of refined copper and serve as the starting raw material for almost all copper-based products.
Copper cathodes appear as flat rectangular plates and are valued for exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, ductility, and corrosion resistance.
Typical Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical % |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | ≥ 99.99 |
| Oxygen | ≤ 0.04 |
| Silver | Trace |
| Sulfur | < 0.002 |
| Iron | < 0.002 |
| Arsenic | < 0.0005 |
| Lead | < 0.0005 |
Purity Note:
Copper cathodes are among the purest industrial metals,
critical for high-conductivity and high-reliability applications.
Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1083 °C |
| Electrical Conductivity | 100 – 101% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | 390 – 401 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 16.5 × 10⁻⁶ /°C |
| Magnetic Property | Non-magnetic |
| Crystal Structure | FCC (Face-Centered Cubic) |
| Color | Reddish metallic |
Mechanical Properties (Intrinsic Copper)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (annealed) | ~200 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~70 MPa |
| Elongation | 40 – 50% |
| Hardness | ~45 HB |
Mechanical properties are modified later through cold working or alloying, not at the cathode stage.
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
Copper cathodes exhibit a pure FCC crystal structure with minimal impurity levels, ensuring excellent ductility and conductivity.
No strengthening occurs at the cathode stage. Strength is introduced later by:
✔ Cold working (drawing, rolling)
✔ Alloying (brass, bronze, Cu-Ni, etc.)
Key Characteristics
✔ Ultra-high purity
✔ Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity
✔ Extremely low impurity levels
✔ Consistent chemical composition
✔ High recyclability
✔ Global LME standardization
✔ Ideal feedstock for copper processing
Refining & Processing
Pyrometallurgical Route:
Mining → Concentration → Smelting → Converting → Fire refining → Electrorefining
Hydrometallurgical Route:
Heap leaching → Solvent extraction → Electrowinning (SX-EW)
During electrolytic refining, impure copper anodes dissolve in sulfuric acid electrolyte, and pure copper deposits on stainless steel cathodes. Precious metals settle as anode slime.
Available Forms
Flat copper cathode plates
Starter sheets
Bundled cathode packs
Cut or full-size sheets
Typical weight per cathode: 50 – 75 kg
Typical thickness: ~6 – 10 mm
Applications
Electrical & Electronics
Wire rods (CCR),
power cables,
transformers,
motors and generators
Industrial Manufacturing
Sheets and plates,
tubes and pipes,
heat exchangers
Alloy Production
Brass,
bronze,
Cu-Ni alloys,
aluminum bronze
Renewable Energy
Solar panels,
EV wiring,
wind turbines
Trading & Export
LME warehousing,
global commodity trading
Advantages
✔ Highest commercially available copper purity
✔ Superior conductivity
✔ Uniform melting behavior
✔ Low defect rate in finished products
✔ Enables premium-grade alloys
✔ Internationally accepted commodity
✔ Excellent resale and liquidity value
Why Choose Copper Cathodes?
Copper cathodes are selected when applications demand guaranteed purity, maximum electrical efficiency, consistent metallurgical performance, and global trade acceptance.
Industry Insight:
All high-quality copper products begin with high-quality cathodes —
impurities at this stage multiply downstream defects.
Copper Cathodes vs Scrap Copper
| Parameter | Cathodes | Scrap |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐–⭐⭐⭐ |
| Consistency | High | Variable |
| Processing Loss | Minimal | Higher |
| Electrical Quality | Excellent | Inconsistent |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Sustainability | High | High |
Sustainability & Recycling
100% recyclable without property loss
Low carbon footprint (especially SX-EW route)
Critical metal for energy transition
Long-term circular economy material