Raytron Technical Review RESEARCH ARTICLE WP-06-07

Stainless Steel Clad Copper: Inverted Architecture

RAYTRON技术团队¹ *

¹RAYTRON集团技术研究中心, 中国

^*Corresponding author

Received: 2025年12月 Accepted: 2026年2月 Published: 2026年3月

DOI: 10.1234/raytron.2026.WP-01-18

Abstract

不锈钢包铜（SSCC）采用反向结构，不锈钢形成外层保护铜芯。这种配置为焊接电极、高磨损电触点和需要硬质Corrosion ResistantSurface与优异芯材导电性的Applications提供独特优势。

Key Findings

Unique Inverted Architecture Design SSCC employs inverted architecture with stainless steel outer layer cladding copper core, providing unique combination of hard wear-resistant surface and excellent core conductivity, filling the performance gap of traditional bimetallic conductors.
Excellent Wear Resistance Stainless steel outer layer hardness reaches 150-200 HV, far exceeding pure copper's 40-60 HV, extending SSCC service life 3-5× in high-wear applications like welding electrodes and electrical contacts.
Excellent Core Conductivity Copper core provides high conductivity of 80-88% IACS, ensuring efficient current transmission, while stainless steel outer layer provides protection, achieving perfect balance of conductivity and durability.
Specialized Application Fields SSCC has irreplaceable advantages in specialized fields such as resistance welding electrodes, high-wear electrical contacts, and grounding systems in corrosive environments, being a key material for high-end industrial applications.

Keywords

SSCC;不锈钢包铜;焊接电极;耐磨性;反向包覆

1. 引言

与大多数双金属导体不同，SSCC将不锈钢置于外层。

2. 结构对比

创建传统vs反向结构对比图

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Figure Fig. 2 传统vs反向结构对比

3. 材料性能

4. 关键Applications

SSCC广泛用于电阻焊电极。

5. 制造工艺

6. 结论

SSCC为需要耐磨、Corrosion Resistant和Good Conductivity的Applications提供了独特的解决方案。

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SSCC and traditional copper clad steel?

Traditional copper clad steel (CCS) has copper outer layer cladding steel core, with conductive but easily worn surface. SSCC has stainless steel outer layer cladding copper core, with hard wear-resistant surface but conductive core. The structures are opposite, suitable for completely different applications: CCS for conductive applications, SSCC for wear-resistant conductive applications.

What are the main application fields for SSCC?

SSCC is mainly used for: resistance welding electrodes (utilizing wear resistance and conductivity), high-wear electrical contacts (hard surface reduces wear), grounding systems in corrosive environments (stainless steel corrosion resistance), high-end connectors (requiring hard surface). These applications all require combination of wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and good conductivity.

How is SSCC's conductivity performance?

SSCC's overall conductivity is 80-88% IACS, mainly contributed by copper core. Although stainless steel outer layer has very low conductivity (about 2.5% IACS), since current mainly transmits in copper core, SSCC still provides excellent conductivity performance, suitable for most conductive applications.

How is SSCC's manufacturing cost?

SSCC's manufacturing cost is higher than traditional bimetallic conductors, because precise inverted cladding process is required. However, considering its long service life (3-5×) and high reliability in specialized applications, total cost of ownership is competitive. Mainly used for high-end industrial applications with relatively low cost sensitivity.

Figures

创建SSCC结构示意图

Fig. 1 SSCC结构示意图

创建传统vs反向结构对比图

Fig. 2 传统vs反向结构对比

Tables

Table 1 结构对比

方面	传统(Cu外)	反向(SS外)
SurfaceConductivity	高	较低
Surface硬度	软	硬
SurfaceCorrosion Resistant	易腐蚀	Corrosion Resistant
芯材导电	次要	主要

Table 2 性能参数

性能	SSCC-15%SS
Density (g/cm³)	8.5-8.6
Conductivity (% IACS)	80-88
Surface硬度 (HV)	150-200

Table 3 Applications优势

Applications	优势
焊接电极	耐磨+导电
电触点	硬Surface+Low contact resistance
接地(腐蚀)	长期可靠性

References

AWS Welding Handbook American Welding Society (2020)

Authoritative References

ASTM International IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) ISO (International Organization for Standardization) SAE International IEEE