Copper rods are a key raw material in the production of wires and cables. Based on the production process and oxygen content, they are divided into two categories: oxygen-free copper rods and low-oxygen copper rods. Oxygen-free copper rods are mainly produced using the top-drawing method or dip-coating method. They are characterized by high purity, extremely low oxygen content (usually no more than 20 ppm), and excellent conductivity, making them particularly suitable for drawing fine wires with a diameter less than 0.5 mm, and applicable to high-precision electrical products.
Low-oxygen copper rods are mainly produced using the continuous casting and rolling method. They have a higher oxygen content (generally between 200-450 ppm), but the production process is mature, with high output and low cost. They have a significant advantage when drawing copper wires with a diameter greater than 1 mm, and are mostly used in large-specification cables and cost-sensitive electrical product fields. As of 2020, my country's annual production capacity of low-oxygen bright copper rods from continuous casting and rolling production lines exceeded 15 million tons, with an output of 8.979 million tons. Some companies have extended their industrial chain to achieve full-process independent manufacturing from copper rods to finished wires and cables. Both types of copper rods are widely used in industries such as power, construction, home appliances, and automobiles. Their performance differences directly affect the conductivity and durability of wires and cables.