Copper Shims, Copper Shim Washers

Copper Shims and Copper Shim Washers

We are leading manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters of Copper Shims and Copper Shim Washers from India. Our copper shims are precision-pressed thin flat components used for dimensional adjustment, levelling, sealing, thermal conduction, and vibration isolation in mechanical assemblies, electrical equipment, and industrial machinery. Also known as copper spacer shims, copper levelling shims, copper gasket shims, copper bearing shims, copper engine shims, copper sealing washers, copper crush washers, and copper adjusting shims, these components are critical precision parts wherever tight dimensional control or reliable sealing is required.

Copper is an ideal shim material due to its excellent thermal conductivity (approximately 385 W/m·K), electrical conductivity, malleability (which allows the shim to conform to irregular surfaces under compression for effective sealing), corrosion resistance, and easy machinability for custom profiling. Our copper shims are supplied in a wide range of standard thicknesses and can be manufactured to extremely tight thickness tolerances as required by precision engineering applications.

Types of Copper Shims and Shim Washers We Manufacture

Flat Copper Shims (Rectangular and Square): Simple flat rectangular or square shims used for adjusting clearances between mating components in machinery, bearing housings, gearboxes, and structural assemblies. Available in standard widths from 10 mm to 500 mm and lengths from 10 mm to 1000 mm.

Copper Shim Washers (Annular/Ring Type): Flat ring washers pressed from copper sheet, used as sealing washers under bolts, banjo fittings, hydraulic connectors, and fuel system fittings. These are the classic crush washers where copper’s malleability ensures a leak-free metallic seal when the fitting is torqued.

Copper Cylinder Head Shims: Precision-ground copper shims used to adjust compression ratios in internal combustion engines. Available in thicknesses from 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm with tight thickness tolerances for engine tuning applications.

Copper Bearing Shims: Semi-circular or full-ring copper shims used to adjust bearing clearances in plain bearing assemblies, connecting rods, and crankshaft bearings. These are supplied in matched sets with graded thicknesses.

Copper Heat Spreader Shims: Flat copper shims used in electronic assemblies between heat-generating components (power transistors, CPUs, MOSFETs) and heat sinks to improve thermal interface and reduce thermal resistance.

Copper EMI Gasket Shims: Soft copper shims used as electromagnetic interference (EMI) gaskets in enclosures and RF-shielded boxes, where copper’s excellent electrical conductivity provides a conductive sealing path to block electromagnetic radiation ingress or egress.

Copper Pipe Sealing Washers: Thick-section annular copper shims used as sealing elements in compression fittings, hydraulic couplings, and threaded pipe connections where a soft metal seal is preferred over rubber O-rings for high-pressure, high-temperature service.

Materials and Thickness Range

Our copper shims are pressed from high-purity ETP Copper (CW004A / C11000) strip for maximum conductivity and malleability, or from oxygen-free copper (OFC, CW008A / C10100) for applications requiring zero oxygen content (vacuum systems, semiconductor equipment). Available thicknesses range from 0.05 mm to 6.0 mm, with precision-ground shims available in thickness steps of 0.01 mm for the most demanding precision engineering applications. Standard widths of copper strip processed: 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm.

Tolerances and Surface Quality

Standard pressed copper shims are supplied to thickness tolerances of ±10% of nominal for thicknesses above 0.5 mm, and ±0.05 mm for thicknesses below 0.5 mm. Precision-ground copper shims are available to ±0.005 mm (5 µm) thickness tolerance using surface grinding. Surface finish on as-pressed shims is Ra 0.8–1.6 µm; ground shims achieve Ra 0.4 µm or better. Flatness is maintained to within 0.02 mm per 100 mm of shim length for ground types.

Manufacturing Process

Copper shims and shim washers are manufactured by precision press cutting (blanking and piercing) from copper strip coil on our high-speed mechanical presses. Tight-tolerance shims for bearing and engine applications are finish-ground after pressing to achieve the specified thickness. Copper shim washers are produced on progressive dies that simultaneously blank the outer diameter and pierce the inner diameter hole in a single press stroke, ensuring concentricity. All shims are 100% visually inspected for burrs, scratches, and laminations, and dimensionally checked using calibrated micrometers and height gauges.

Applications of Copper Shims

The applications of copper shims span numerous industries. In automotive engineering, copper shims adjust bearing clearances, valve clearances, and camshaft timing. In hydraulic and pneumatic systems, copper shim washers provide leak-free seals in banjo fittings, unions, and connectors at operating pressures up to 700 bar. In electrical equipment manufacturing, copper shims provide thermal interfaces, conductive paths, and EMI sealing. In precision instrument manufacturing, ground copper shims set critical dimensional tolerances in optical, metrology, and aerospace equipment. In general mechanical engineering, copper shims level machinery bases, adjust coupling alignments, and set gear backlash.

Related Products and Search Terms

Copper shims are frequently ordered alongside: brass shims, stainless steel shims, aluminium shims, copper gaskets, copper washers, copper sealing rings, copper crush washers, copper O-rings. Common search terms: copper shim, copper shim washer, copper spacer washer, copper crush washer, copper sealing washer, copper gasket shim, copper bearing shim, copper engine shim, copper head gasket shim, precision copper shim, custom copper shim, copper shim manufacturer India, copper shim exporter, thin copper shim, 0.1mm copper shim, 0.5mm copper shim, 1mm copper shim, copper shim M6, copper shim M8, copper shim M10, hydraulic copper sealing washer, banjo bolt copper washer.

Why Choose Our Copper Shims?

We offer copper shims across an exceptionally wide thickness range, from 0.05 mm foil shims to 6 mm thick copper spacers, pressed and ground in-house. Our ISO 9001 certified quality system ensures dimensional traceability and consistency. We supply copper shims to the automotive, hydraulic, electrical, aerospace, and precision engineering sectors both domestically in India and internationally. Custom shapes (non-circular, with slots, with multiple holes) are accommodated through our flexible press tooling capabilities. We offer kits of assorted thickness shims for service and maintenance operations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Copper Shims and Shim Washers

What is a copper shim washer used for?

A copper shim washer is used as a sealing element (crush washer) under bolt heads or in threaded connections such as banjo fittings, hydraulic unions, and fuel fittings. When torqued, the copper’s malleability allows it to deform and fill surface irregularities, creating a leak-proof metallic seal that is resistant to high pressure and temperature.

What is the thinnest copper shim you can supply?

We supply copper shims from 0.05 mm (50 micron) thickness as a standard product, and can produce speciality foil shims down to 0.025 mm (25 micron) for precision optical and electronic applications. These ultra-thin shims are press-cut from annealed copper foil.

Can copper shims be used for thermal management in electronics?

Yes, copper’s thermal conductivity of approximately 385 W/m·K makes copper shims excellent thermal interface materials between power components and heat sinks. They are used in power electronics, RF amplifiers, and laser systems to reduce junction-to-heatsink thermal resistance.

What is the difference between ETP copper and OFC copper shims?

ETP (Electrolytic Tough Pitch) copper contains a small amount of oxygen (up to 400 ppm) and has a conductivity of 100% IACS. OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) has oxygen below 5 ppm and is preferred for vacuum applications, high-purity electronic environments, and cryogenic applications where hydrogen embrittlement of ETP copper is a concern.

Do you supply copper shims for engine head gasket applications?

Yes, we supply precision-ground copper shims for use as cylinder head shims in racing and high-performance engines where compression ratio adjustment is needed. These are available in thickness increments of 0.05 mm and 0.1 mm with ±0.01 mm tolerance.

Can you supply copper shims to custom dimensions?

Yes, all our copper shims can be supplied to customer-specified outer dimensions, inner hole diameters, and thickness. Rectangular, square, oval, and irregular shapes are cut on our precision presses. For large rectangular shims, we can cut from sheet up to 300 × 1000 mm.

What is the minimum order quantity for copper shim washers?

For standard annular shim washers (round with centre hole), minimum order is 100 pieces per size. For precision-ground flat shims or custom shapes, minimum order is 50 pieces. Sample quantities of 10–20 pieces are available for evaluation.

Do you provide material test certificates for copper shims?

Yes, we provide mill test certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1 for all copper shims, confirming chemical composition, thickness, and mechanical properties. Certificate of conformity and ROHS compliance documentation are provided with every shipment.

Request a Quote for Copper Shims and Shim Washers

Looking for precision Copper Shims and Copper Shim Washers for your engineering, hydraulic, electronic, or automotive application?

📧 Email us at: sales@brass-copper-parts.com with your required dimensions, thickness, tolerance, quantity, and finish for a prompt quotation

📱 WhatsApp/Call: +91-22-43449300 for technical consultation on copper grade selection (ETP vs OFC), precision grinding options, and sample availability

🌐 Visit our facility: See our precision copper blanking and shim grinding operations and evaluate our quality inspection capabilities

📋 Request samples: Standard copper shim washers and flat shims in assorted thicknesses are available for immediate evaluation

Brass & Copper Parts manufactures copper shims from 0.05 mm foil to 6 mm thick precision spacers, supplying automotive, hydraulic, aerospace, and electronic industries with certified material and consistent dimensional quality. Contact us today.