OCC Ohno Continuous Casting is the main process to produce Single Crysital Copper, that’s why when OCC 4N-6N is marked the first reaction of most people think that’s single crystal copper. Here is no doubt about it, however 4N-6N does’t represent, and also we were asked how to prove the copper is single crystal.
As the matter of fact, identifying single crystal copper is not an easy task and requires comprehensive consideration from multiple aspects.
First, in terms of material characteristics, the biggest feature of single crystal copper is that there are relatively few grain boundaries and it has a columnar crystal structure. This characteristic means that when electrons are conducted in single crystal copper, there is less scattering, resulting in better electrical conductivity. At the same time, the columnar crystal structure also makes single crystal copper better able to withstand deformation when stressed, showing high flexibility.
In the actual identification process, microscopic observation is a commonly used method. But it should be noted that it is relatively difficult to distinguish or confirm single crystal copper only by microscope. This is because the characteristics of single crystal copper are not always clearly presented at the microscopic level, and different observation conditions and technical levels may affect the accuracy of the results.
Here is the picture that is acquired under microscope
We have used an 8mm copper rod to make a cross-section observation and can see the growth of columnar crystals. However, this is only an auxiliary means and cannot completely determine that the material is single crystal copper.
At present, the entire industry is facing the problem that it is difficult to directly confirm single crystal copper. But we can increase the basis for judging single crystal copper through specific production equipment and processes. For example, copper materials produced by vacuum single crystal melting furnaces can largely ensure that they have a single crystal structure. Because this kind of equipment can provide specific conditions for the growth of single crystal copper, which is conducive to the formation of columnar crystals and the reduction of grain boundaries.
High Vaccum continuous casting equipment