Copper Shims & Copper Shim Washers

Copper Shims & Copper Shim Washers

Brass and Copper Parts India manufactures and exports precision Copper Shims and Copper Shim Washers for a wide range of demanding engineering, electrical, thermal management, and industrial applications. Copper shims are preferred wherever high electrical conductivity, excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, or malleability are essential — properties that set copper apart from brass and steel shim materials in critical-performance applications.

Manufactured from high-purity electrolytic copper and oxygen-free copper strip using precision rolling, blanking, and laser cutting processes, our copper shims deliver dimensional accuracy, consistent thickness, and the exceptional conductivity characteristics that demanding applications require. Contact us at sales@brass-copper-parts.com for technical specifications, samples, and quotations.

What Are Copper Shims & Copper Shim Washers?

Copper Shims are thin, flat precision-thickness pieces of copper used to fill gaps between mating components, adjust clearances, achieve precise alignment, or act as thermal interface materials (TIMs) in electronic and power systems. Copper Shim Washers are round, annular copper components with a central bore used as precision spacers, electrical contact washers, crush washers, and sealing elements. Their exceptional conductivity (electrical: ~58 MS/m; thermal: ~400 W/m·K) makes copper shims irreplaceable in electronics cooling, power distribution, and electrical contact applications.

Types of Copper Shims We Supply

  • Copper Shim Sheet / Strip – Flat sheet or roll form for cut-to-size engineering use
  • Copper Shim Washers – Precision-blanked with exact OD, ID, and thickness to drawing
  • Copper Crush Washers – Annealed copper sealing washers for hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel fittings
  • Copper Thermal Interface Shims – Ultra-flat, high-purity shims for CPU, GPU, and power electronics thermal management
  • Copper Earthing Shims – For electrical continuity in busbars, switchgear, and panel assemblies
  • Slotted Copper Shims – U-shaped for installation without shaft disassembly
  • Laminated Peelable Copper Shims – Multi-layer bonded for adjustable precision spacing
  • Custom-Cut Copper Shims – Any profile cut from sheet per customer drawing

Material Grades & International Equivalents

Copper Grades for Shims

IS (India)BS (UK)DIN (Germany)ASTM (USA)EN (Europe)JIS (Japan)Purity / CompositionKey Properties
IS 1897 Cu-ETPC101Cu-ETP (E-Cu57)C11000CW004AC110099.90% Cu minElectrolytic Tough Pitch – standard electrical shims
IS 1897 Cu-OFC103Cu-OF (OF-Cu)C10200CW008AC102099.95% Cu minOxygen-Free – electronics, vacuum, semiconductor
IS 1897 Cu-OFEC110Cu-OFEC10100CW009AC101199.99% Cu minOFE Electronic Grade – ultra-high purity thermal shims
IS 1897 Cu-DHPC106Cu-DHP (SW-Cu)C12200CW024AC122099.90% Cu + PPhosphorus Deoxidised – brazing, hydraulic crush washers
IS 1897 Cu-PHCC107Cu-PHCC12000CW023AC120199.90% Cu + low PPartially Deoxidised – balance of conductivity and weldability

Temper / Condition Available

TemperASTM DesignationBS DesignationHardnessBest Suited For
Annealed (Soft)O61M40–65 HVCrush washers, sealing shims, conformable thermal shims
Light Cold-WorkedH001/8H65–80 HVGeneral shim washers, precision spacers
Half HardH021/2H80–100 HVStandard shim washers, load-bearing shims
HardH04H100–120 HVSpring shims, contact elements
Extra HardH08EH120+ HVHigh-strength contact springs, precision shim rings

Key Physical Properties of Copper Shims

PropertyCu-ETP (C11000)Cu-OF (C10200)Cu-OFE (C10100)Cu-DHP (C12200)
Electrical Conductivity≥100% IACS≥101% IACS≥101% IACS≥85% IACS
Thermal Conductivity~394 W/m·K~391 W/m·K~391 W/m·K~339 W/m·K
Density8.9 g/cm³8.9 g/cm³8.9 g/cm³8.9 g/cm³
Melting Point1083°C1083°C1083°C1083°C
Oxygen Content~250 ppm<5 ppm<0.5 ppmNone (P-deoxidised)

Dimensional Range

Product FormThickness RangeWidth / OD RangeBore / ID Range
Copper Shim Sheet / Strip0.025 mm to 3.0 mmUp to 600 mm wide
Copper Shim Washer0.1 mm to 3.0 mmOD 5 mm to 200 mmID 2 mm to 180 mm
Copper Crush Washer1.0 mm to 3.0 mmOD 8 mm to 50 mmID 4 mm to 40 mm
Thermal Interface Shim0.1 mm to 1.0 mmCustom shapesCustom

Why Choose Brass and Copper Parts India for Copper Shims?

  • Ultra-High Purity Grades – C10100 (Cu-OFE) available for semiconductor and vacuum applications
  • Precision Thickness Control – ±0.005 mm on shim washers; tight rolling tolerances on strip
  • Annealed Crush Washers – Soft, conformable copper sealing washers for leak-free hydraulic and fuel connections
  • Thermal Interface Shims – Flat, burr-free, high-conductivity shims for electronics thermal management
  • Full Range of Copper Grades – ETP, OF, OFE, DHP, PHC in all standard tempers
  • Custom Shapes – Laser cutting and precision blanking for any profile
  • Fast Lead Times – Standard shim washers dispatched within 7–10 days
  • Material Certificates – MTCs with chemical composition and conductivity data included
  • RoHS and REACH Compliant materials for international markets

Frequently Asked Questions – Copper Shims & Copper Shim Washers

Q1. What are the main advantages of copper shims over brass shims?

Copper shims offer substantially higher electrical conductivity (≥100% IACS vs ~28% IACS for brass) and thermal conductivity (~394 W/m·K vs ~120 W/m·K for brass). They are softer and more malleable, making them ideal for sealing (crush washers) and thermal interface applications. Brass shims are chosen when higher mechanical strength and machinability are needed, but copper is the clear choice for electrical, thermal, and sealing applications.

Q2. What copper grade do you recommend for thermal interface shims?

For thermal interface applications between CPUs, GPUs, power semiconductors, and heatsinks, we recommend C10100 (Cu-OFE, 99.99% purity) or C10200 (Cu-OF, 99.95% purity) in annealed condition. These grades offer the highest available thermal conductivity and oxygen content low enough to prevent outgassing in vacuum or high-temperature environments.

Q3. What is a copper crush washer and how does it work?

A copper crush washer is an annealed copper sealing washer placed under a fitting, drain plug, or banjo bolt. When the fitting is tightened, the soft copper deforms (crushes) to fill surface irregularities and create a leak-free metal-to-metal seal. Copper crush washers are used in engine oil drain plugs, hydraulic fittings, brake line banjo bolts, fuel systems, and pneumatic connections. They are single-use components and should be replaced each time the fitting is removed.

Q4. What is the difference between Cu-ETP and Cu-OF copper?

Cu-ETP (C11000) is Electrolytic Tough Pitch copper — the standard grade with ~250 ppm oxygen content. It provides excellent conductivity and is suitable for most electrical applications. Cu-OF (C10200) is Oxygen-Free copper with <5 ppm oxygen — it offers slightly higher conductivity and eliminates hydrogen embrittlement risk, making it suitable for welding, brazing, and vacuum environments. For the most critical applications, Cu-OFE (C10100) with <0.5 ppm oxygen is available.

Q5. Can copper shim washers be used as electrical contact elements?

Yes. Copper shim washers are frequently used as electrical contact elements, bus bar spacers, and continuity washers in switchgear, earthing assemblies, battery connections, and power distribution systems. Their high conductivity and low contact resistance make them ideal for these applications. We recommend Cu-ETP or Cu-OF grade in half-hard temper for electrical contact use.

Q6. What is the minimum thickness of copper shim washers you can supply?

For copper shim washers blanked from strip, the minimum practical thickness is 0.1 mm (100 microns) depending on the OD/ID ratio. Copper shim strip is available as thin as 0.025 mm (25 microns). For very thin shim washers, laser cutting from thin foil may be used — contact us with your specific requirements for feasibility confirmation.

Q7. Do you supply copper shim washers for hydraulic applications?

Yes. Cu-DHP (C12200, phosphorus deoxidised copper) crush washers are our standard supply for hydraulic and pneumatic sealing applications. These washers are supplied in annealed (soft) condition to ensure maximum deformation and sealing under bolt load. We can supply to DIN 7603 (form A) and other international sealing washer standards.

Q8. What is the minimum order quantity for copper shim washers?

Standard MOQ is 500 pieces for catalogue shim washer sizes. Copper crush washers in standard sizes (M6 to M24) can be supplied from 200 pieces. Custom shim washers with new tooling have MOQs that vary — contact sales@brass-copper-parts.com for a specific quote.

Q9. Can you supply custom-shaped copper shims for electronics?

Yes. Custom-shape copper shims for electronics cooling — including L-shapes, T-shapes, rectangular pads, and complex profiles — are produced by precision blanking or laser cutting from high-purity Cu-OF or Cu-OFE strip. All edges are deburred and surfaces are flat and burr-free. We accept DXF, DWG, or PDF drawings.

Q10. Are your copper shims supplied with material test certificates?

Yes. All copper shim products come with mill material test certificates (MTCs) confirming copper grade, purity/chemical composition, oxygen content (for OF/OFE grades), conductivity, and mechanical properties. Third-party inspection and testing by SGS, Bureau Veritas, or customer-nominated agencies can be arranged on request.

Q11. Can copper shims be used at high temperatures?

Copper retains good mechanical and thermal properties up to approximately 200–300°C in continuous service, and has a melting point of 1083°C. For elevated temperature applications, avoid Cu-ETP (which can suffer hydrogen embrittlement above 400°C in reducing atmospheres) and use Cu-OF or Cu-DHP instead. We can advise on the best grade for your specific temperature and environment.

Q12. Do you supply laminated or peelable copper shims?

Yes. Laminated copper shim packs — where multiple thin copper layers are bonded and can be individually peeled to achieve the exact required gap — are available. These are useful in precision machinery setup and maintenance applications where incremental adjustment is needed without changing the shim entirely.

Q13. Can I get copper shim washers with silver or tin plating?

Yes. Electroplated copper shim washers with tin, silver, or nickel plating are available for specialised applications. Silver-plated copper shim washers are used in high-current electrical contacts and RF applications. Tin plating improves corrosion resistance. Nickel plating is used for high-temperature environments. Contact us to specify your plating requirement.

Q14. What is the lead time for custom copper shim washers?

For standard sizes and catalogue items, lead time is 7–10 working days. For custom shim washers requiring new tooling, the lead time is 3–4 weeks from drawing approval. Copper shim strip and sheet in standard thicknesses are often available from stock for immediate dispatch. Contact sales@brass-copper-parts.com for current stock availability.

Customer Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We use copper shim washers from Brass and Copper Parts India as thermal interface pads in our power electronics assemblies. The surface flatness and thickness consistency are exceptional — far better than we were getting from our previous supplier. Their oxygen-free copper grade meets our specification perfectly, and delivery has always been on time. Highly recommended.”
— Senior Electronics Engineer, Power Electronics Manufacturer | Sweden

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“We source copper crush washers in several sizes for our hydraulic fitting range. Brass and Copper Parts India provides consistently soft, conformable washers that seal perfectly every time. The material certificates confirm the Cu-DHP grade we require, and the packaging ensures parts arrive in perfect condition. Great supplier — we have been ordering from them for four years.”
— Quality Manager, Hydraulic Fittings Manufacturer | Italy

📧 Contact us: sales@brass-copper-parts.com | Brass and Copper Parts India