Copper vs brass — what’s the difference?
| Property | Copper C1100 | Brass C2680 |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Cu ≥ 99.9% | Cu 65% + Zn 35% |
| Color | Reddish-orange | Yellow-gold |
| Electrical conductivity | Excellent (100% IACS) | Good (28% IACS) |
| Thermal conductivity | Very high (385 W/m·K) | Medium (120 W/m·K) |
| Price | High | ~40% lower |
| Applications | Busbars, heatsinks, PCBs | Decorative, fittings, signage |
Why copper is the hardest metal to laser cut
Copper is the most challenging material for fiber laser cutting because:
- Extremely high reflectivity (~95% at 1μm wavelength) — the laser beam bounces back into the cutting head, risking lens damage without proper protection
- Very high thermal conductivity — heat dissipates rapidly from the cut zone, requiring significantly more power than steel at the same thickness
- High melting point (1,085°C) — combined with high conductivity, this demands 6kW+ laser power for clean results
Brass is significantly easier to cut than pure copper because the zinc in the alloy reduces both reflectivity and thermal conductivity.
Cutting thickness range
We laser cut copper and brass from 0.6mm to 10mm.
| Material | Thickness | Edge Quality | Assist Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper C1100 | 0.6–6mm | Good to excellent | High-pressure N₂ |
| Copper C1100 | 6–10mm | Fair (rougher edges, slower speed) | High-pressure N₂ |
| Brass C2680 | 0.6–6mm | Good | N₂ |
| Brass C2680 | 6–10mm | Fair (zinc evaporation causes fumes) | High-pressure N₂ |
Note: Thin copper/brass (0.6–4mm) produces the cleanest edges. Above 6mm, edge quality decreases due to high thermal conductivity and (for brass) zinc evaporation creating gas bubbles.
Reference pricing
Copper laser cutting costs 2–3× more than steel at the same thickness:
| Material | Thickness | Reference Price (VND/m cut) |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | 0.6–1mm | 8,000 – 12,000 |
| Copper | 2mm | 15,000 – 22,000 |
| Copper | 4mm | 35,000 – 50,000 |
| Copper | 6mm | 60,000 – 85,000 |
| Copper | 8mm | 95,000 – 130,000 |
| Copper | 10mm | 140,000 – 190,000 |
| Brass | 0.6–1mm | 5,000 – 8,000 |
| Brass | 2mm | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Brass | 4mm | 25,000 – 38,000 |
| Brass | 6mm | 45,000 – 65,000 |
| Brass | 8mm | 75,000 – 105,000 |
| Brass | 10mm | 110,000 – 155,000 |
Prices depend on geometry and quantity. Send your design file for an accurate quote.
Common applications
Copper C1100
- Electrical busbars — high conductivity, laser cut for complex shapes instead of die punching
- Heatsinks — thin copper sheet cut for fans, LEDs, electronics
- Grounding plates — custom-sized copper plates
- Power PCB components — copper parts for high-current circuit boards
Brass C2680
- Signage and nameplates — precision-cut letters and logos
- Interior fittings — handles, hinges, decorative panels
- Mechanical components — bushings, washers, flanges
- Musical instruments — parts for horns and percussion
Technical tips for cutting copper
- Nitrogen (N₂) is mandatory — Oxygen creates a black oxide layer on copper surfaces that is very difficult to remove
- Design lead-in points — Avoid piercing directly on the cut path; use lead-in lines to protect the lens
- Part spacing ≥ 2× thickness — Copper’s high thermal conductivity means closely spaced parts will distort
- Clean surfaces before cutting — Oil, dust, and fingerprints cause uneven reflection and poor cut quality
- Above 6mm requires parameter tuning — Copper/brass 6–10mm is cuttable but slower with rougher edges; contact us for advice
Laser cutting vs die punching for copper
| Criteria | Laser Cutting | Die Punching |
|---|---|---|
| Complex shapes | Unlimited freedom | Requires custom tooling |
| Tooling cost | None | 5–50M VND |
| Small runs (under 100 pcs) | More economical | Expensive (tooling amortization) |
| Large runs (over 1,000 pcs) | More expensive | More economical |
| Tolerance | ±0.1mm | ±0.1mm |
| Edge burr | Minimal, clean edges | Present, requires deburring |
Bottom line: Laser cutting is the optimal choice for copper when quantities are under 500 pieces or shapes are complex.
Order copper laser cutting
We cut copper C1100 and brass C2680 from 0.6mm to 10mm with ±0.1mm tolerance. Delivery from 5 days.
- Send your DXF/DWG file via Zalo or email
- Receive a detailed quote within hours
- Free shipping in Binh Duong
View our full laser cutting service capabilities or get a quote now.