In industrial material selection, “Which is better, nickel or copper?” is a common question from customers. However, in reality, there is no absolute “better,” only “more suitable”—nickel excels in corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance, while copper offers superior electrical conductivity and cost-effectiveness. Each plays to its strengths in different scenarios. Starting from core properties, application fields, and practical uses, this article will help you clarify the selection logic between nickel and copper, enabling you to find the most suitable material solution for your needs.
First, the table below provides a clear comparison of key properties and adaptation directions between nickel (based on our pure nickel products, with a purity of ≥99.95%) and copper (industrial pure copper, with a purity of ≥99.9%):
| Comparison Dimension | Nickel (Pure Nickel Material) | Copper (Industrial Pure Copper) | Core Adaptation Logic |
| Electrical Conductivity | Conductivity: 22.1×10⁶ S/m | Conductivity: 58.5×10⁶ S/m (nearly 2.6x that of nickel) | Choose copper for general conductive scenarios; choose nickel for conductive scenarios requiring both corrosion resistance/high-temperature resistance |
| Corrosion Resistance | Resistant to acids, alkalis, and body fluid corrosion (compliant with ISO 10993 standard), no rust after 1000h of seawater immersion | Prone to oxidation and patina formation, weak acid/alkali resistance, only suitable for dry/weakly corrosive environments | Choose nickel for corrosive environments (chemical industry, medical care, marine); choose copper for dry, general environments |
| High-Temperature Resistance | Melting point: 1455℃, long-term service temperature up to 1200℃ | Melting point: 1083℃, long-term service temperature ≤300℃ | Choose nickel for high-temperature scenarios (heating equipment, aerospace); choose copper for low-temperature/room-temperature scenarios |
| Mechanical & Processability | Good low-temperature toughness (can be bent at -200℃), can be drawn into ultra-fine wires of 0.05mm | Excellent ductility, easy to stamp and bend, low processing cost | Choose nickel for extreme low-temperature/ultra-fine specifications; choose copper for complex forming/low-cost needs |
| Typical Product Forms | Pure nickel wire, nickel alloy strip, nickel foil | Copper wire, copper busbar, copper foil | Match product form to scenario needs; we provide customization for nickel/copper-nickel alloys |
From the perspective of practical application scenarios, the differences in selection between the two are even clearer:
In the field of electronic conductivity, copper is preferred for general household appliance wires and low-voltage cables—it meets basic conductive needs with its high conductivity and low cost. However, nickel is a must for internal wires of medical devices (e.g., glucose pen probe wires) and aerospace instrument signal wires: the former requires resistance to body fluid corrosion, while the latter needs low-temperature resistance (below -50℃ at high altitudes). Our customized pure nickel wires with a tolerance of 0.002mm have been adapted by many medical/aerospace enterprises.
In corrosion-resistant scenarios, nickel (not copper) is selected for chemical storage tank linings and marine equipment connectors: copper corrodes within one month in saltwater or acidic environments, while the storage tank linings made of our pure nickel plates have remained leak-free after 3 years of use in chemical enterprises. However, copper has a more obvious cost-effectiveness advantage for architectural decorations and general connectors in dry environments.
In high-temperature applications, only nickel can be used for heating elements of heating equipment and wires of automotive exhaust sensors: copper softens and deforms at temperatures above 500℃, while the heating elements made of our pure nickel wires can work stably at 1200℃ in industrial ovens for over 5000 hours. For room-temperature heating (e.g., low-power heaters in household appliances), copper can be selected to reduce costs.
Notably, when a scenario requires “copper’s conductivity + nickel’s corrosion resistance,” our copper-nickel alloy products (e.g., CuNi40) are the optimal solution—they retain copper’s conductive advantage (conductivity: 15×10⁶ S/m) while possessing nickel’s corrosion resistance (seawater corrosion resistance close to that of pure nickel), and have been widely used in marine cables and seawater desalination equipment.
In summary, the key to choosing between nickel and copper lies in “whether corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, or extreme low-temperature resistance is required”: if these properties are needed, nickel is a more reliable choice; if only basic conductivity, low cost, and easy processing are required, copper is more suitable. If you are still unsure about material selection, please feel free to contact us—we can provide customized samples of nickel, copper, and copper-nickel alloys within 72 hours based on your scenario parameters (e.g., temperature, medium, conductivity requirements), helping you accurately match the material solution.
Post time: Oct-27-2025
