Copper Alloy Conductors in Aerospace
Created at :
Nov 17, 2025
Copper Alloy Conductors in Aerospace
From PD135 to CuCrZr and Cadi’s Role Today
The aerospace industry has always demanded materials that balance strength, conductivity, and thermal stability under extreme conditions. Copper alloys have been central to meeting these challenges for decades.
A Brief History: PD135 and Its Legacy
Back in the 1970s, PD135 - an age-hardenable copper alloy containing chromium and cadmium set the benchmark for high-performance conductors in aerospace applications. Developed by Phelps Dodge, PD135 offered excellent mechanical properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity, and creep resistance, making it ideal for wiring and components exposed to elevated temperatures and stress. For years, PD135 was synonymous with reliability in aerospace wiring systems, powering everything from avionics to propulsion systems.
However, environmental and regulatory changes, such as restrictions on cadmium, pushed the industry toward safer, high-performance alternatives without compromising on durability or conductivity.
The Rise of CuCrZr: Modern Performance for Extreme Conditions
Enter CuCrZr (Copper-Chromium-Zirconium)-a cadmium-free alloy that combines high electrical conductivity with exceptional strength and thermal stability. Its unique strengthening mechanism, based on chromium and zirconium additions, provides:
• Solid solution and precipitation hardening for superior creep resistance.
• High conductivity for efficient power transmission.
• Excellent wear and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures.
These properties make CuCrZr a go-to material for aerospace wiring, connectors, and thermal management components, especially in environments where heat dissipation and mechanical integrity are critical.
Cadi Company: Supplying the Future of Aerospace Conductors
Today, Cadi Company stands as a trusted supplier of CuCrZr wires and copper alloy products for aerospace and other high-performance industries. With over 48 years of expertise, Cadi delivers:
• ISO-certified quality in copper alloys like CuCrZr (C18150), CuCr, and CuZr.
• Ready-to-ship inventory of rods, bars, plates, and custom sizes.
• Solutions tailored for aerospace, power generation, and advanced manufacturing.
Our commitment to precision and performance ensures that aerospace manufacturers have access to materials that meet stringent specifications for conductivity, strength, and reliability.
****Why It Matters**** As aerospace systems become more electrified and thermal loads increase, the choice of conductor materials is critical. CuCrZr represents the next chapter in a long history of copper alloy innovation-delivering the strength and conductivity that modern aerospace demands.
Talk with Tom Chandler at Cadi Company who has been working with the CuCrZr alloy system for over 40 years in rods, bars, rods, and plates [cadicompany.com],