Makin publishes tighter apparent density bands. We publish tighter oxygen.
On copper powder the European producers compete on morphology and apparent density control. Our published grades lead on purity and oxygen on the fine cut, and on where the metal comes from.
These grades are in production use in friction materials, electrical contacts, brazing, self-lubricating bearings and sintered parts, supplied under an ISO 9001:2015 system rather than offered as a development product.
Side by side
| Attribute | Represented by UnstratCopper powders | Makin Metal Powders (UK) LtdIrregular Copper Powder (NLD, Hymod, Pure, Cu(R))123United Kingdom | Pometon S.p.A.Atomised, electrolytic and reduced electrolytic copper powders4Italy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper purity12 | 98.5 to 99.6% min Cu depending on grade | Cu greater than 98.5% (Hymod), greater than 99.0% (NLD), greater than 99.5% (Pure and Cu(R)); grade datasheet states Cu 99% min | Not published on the product page |
| Oxygen limit2 | 0.4% max on the coarser Cu LAD grades, 0.2% max on the -325 mesh grade | 0.75% max oxygen on irregular copper powder, others 0.25% max | Not published |
| Particle size range124 | -100 to -325 mesh (150 to 45 µm) | Less than 500 µm, less than 150 µm and less than 45 µm product groups; grade datasheet covers -100#, -200# and -350# | Copper Cu 100, 150 and 200 mesh sintering grades; Cu W 425/75, W 212M, W 60M for friction; Cu W 63/3.3 for diamond tools and pigments |
| Apparent density12Apparent density is a first-screen parameter for press tooling. We do not publish ours. | Not published | 1.9 to 2.9 g/cc (NLD), 2.9 to 3.7 g/cc (Hymod and Pure), 2.3 to 2.9 g/cc (Cu(R)); datasheet gives 2.7 to 3.4 g/cc across -100# to -350# | Not published |
| Morphology options34 | Irregular, with a flaky grade for low apparent-density applications | Irregular (water atomised), spherical (Cu greater than 99.3%, apparent density around 5.0 g/cc) and dendritic electrolytic grades | Atomised (irregular), electrolytic and reduced electrolytic with dendritic morphology |
| Production route314 | Controlled atomisation | Water atomising for irregular grades, air atomising for spherical, electrolysis for dendritic | Water atomisation, electrolysis, and electrolysis followed by reduction |
| Applications named14 | Friction materials, electrical contacts, brazing, self-lubricating bearings, P/M parts, alternator brushes, catalysts, chemical formulations, infiltrations | Admixing in iron powders, friction components, alloying, decorative and architectural finishes, welding and brazing, diamond tooling, thermal management, surface engineering, electrical contacts, antimicrobial coatings | Sintered components, friction, diamond tools, pigments, carbon brushes, soldering, chemistry, jewellery |
| Quality system3 | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 | Not stated on the product page |
| Packaging1 | Not published | UN-approved 25 kg sacks, 25 to 250 kg steel drums, 250 to 1,000 kg bulk bags | Not published |
Competitor values are quoted from the vendor documents listed under Sources, as published on the date shown. Configurations vary, so treat every row as a starting point for the evaluation rather than a like-for-like test result.
What the table means
Where the numbers actually differ
Makin's published oxygen ceiling on irregular copper is 0.75% max. Ours is 0.4% max on the Cu LAD grades and 0.2% max on the -325 mesh grade at 99.6% minimum copper. Oxygen drives green strength, sintered conductivity and how much hydrogen your furnace has to do. That is a real, checkable difference, and it is the one point where our published sheet is stricter than a European major's.
Where they are stronger
Makin publishes four differentiated apparent density families and three morphologies, including a spherical grade near 5.0 g/cc and dendritic electrolytic powder. Pometon publishes a wider process set still, including reduced electrolytic grades. We publish irregular plus one flaky grade, and we do not publish apparent density at all. If your press needs a specific fill behaviour, they can point at a table and we currently cannot.
The supply-chain question behind the copper
Makin states in its own brochure that it belongs to the GRINM family and works closely with GRIPM, which it describes as the largest copper and copper alloy powder production base in China. For a commercial bearing maker that is irrelevant. For a defence programme mapping its dependencies, it means a UK invoice does not necessarily mean an independent chain.
Questions buyers ask
How does your copper powder compare with Makin Metal Powders on purity and oxygen?
Our fine grade is 99.6% minimum copper with oxygen held to 0.2% max, and the coarser Cu LAD grades are 98.5% minimum with 0.4% max oxygen. Makin's published irregular copper datasheet states 99% minimum copper with oxygen up to 0.75% max, while its product page lists purity families from greater than 98.5% to greater than 99.5%. On oxygen the published comparison favours us. On apparent density control and morphology choice Makin publishes more, including spherical and dendritic grades we do not offer.
What is the best alternative to a European copper powder supplier for a buyer worried about Chinese exposure?
Check the group structure before the datasheet. Makin's own brochure states that it is part of the GRINM family of companies and works in close cooperation with GRIPM, which it describes as having the largest copper powder production base in China. Pometon is independently Italian, and publishes fewer numbers. Our copper powders come from an independent, non-aligned producer with a standing import-substitution mandate, which is the point of the exercise if your concern is chain provenance rather than shipping distance.
Which copper powder grade should I use for infiltration and self-lubricating bearings?
For infiltration and bonding duty our Cu LAD grades at -100 and -200 mesh are the intended cuts, and the -325 mesh grade at 99.6% minimum with 0.2% max oxygen is for the finer work where conductivity and sintered response matter. If you need a defined apparent density band to match existing tooling, tell us the target rather than the grade, because that figure is not on our published sheet yet.
Do you publish apparent density for your copper powders?
Not on the site, and that is a gap we have logged. Makin publishes 1.9 to 3.7 g/cc across its irregular families, which is what a press engineer screens on. Our published data covers purity, oxygen, mesh and morphology. Apparent density is measured per batch and available on request.
Sources
- 1. Makin Metal Powders (UK) Ltd, Irregular Copper PowderRetrieved: 2026-07-30
- 2. Makin Metal Powders (UK) Ltd, Product Data Sheet: Irregular Copper Powder (copy held on this site)Retrieved: 2026-07-30 · Makin-branded product data sheet, published by its Swiss distributor Haeberlin & Co.
- 3. Makin Metal Powders (UK) Ltd, Copper and Copper Alloy Powders (company brochure) (copy held on this site)Retrieved: 2026-07-30
- 4. Pometon S.p.A., Copper and copper alloyed powders, zinc and tin powdersRetrieved: 2026-07-30