Raytron Technical Review RESEARCH ARTICLE WP-06-07

Stainless Steel Clad Copper: Inverted Architecture

Gao-Lei Xu¹ *

¹RAYTRON Group Technology Research Center, China

^*Corresponding author

Received: 2025-12 Accepted: 2026-02 Published: 03/2026

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

Abstract

Stainless steel clad copper features an inverted cladding structure where stainless steel surrounds a copper core, providing unique advantages in corrosion resistance and mechanical protection while maintaining excellent electrical conductivity for specialized applications.

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

stainless steel clad copper;SSCC;inverted structure;corrosion resistance;mechanical protection

1. Introduction

and Conductordifferent ，SSCC 。

SSCC StructureSchematic Diagram — **Fig. 1** SSCC Structure Schematic Diagram

2. Comparison

Traditional vsReverse Structurevs Diagram

MEDIA TODO

Figure Fig. 2 Traditional vs Inverted Structure Comparison

3. Material Properties

4. Applications

SSCCused for Resistance。

5. ManufacturingProcess

6. Conclusion

SSCCas requires 、Corrosion Resistant and Good conductivity applicationsprovides Solutions。

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

Create SSCC StructureDiagram

Fig. 1 SSCC StructureDiagram

Traditional vsReverse StructureComparison Diagram

Fig. 2 Traditional vsReverse StructureComparison

Tables

Table 1 StructureComparison

Aspect	Traditional (Cu outside)	Reverse(SS outside)
SurfaceConductivity	High	ComparativelyLow
Surface Hardness	Soft	Hard
SurfaceCorrosion Resistant	Easy Corrosion	Corrosion Resistant
Core Material Conductive	Secondary	Main

Table 2 Performance Parameters

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

Table 3 ApplicationsAdvantage

Application	Advantage
WeldingElectrode	Wear-resistant+ Conductive
ElectricPoint	HardSurface+Low contact resistance
Grounding(Corrosion)	LongPeriod Reliability Properties

References

AWS Welding Handbook American Welding Society (2020)

Authoritative References

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

Gaolei Xu

Senior Materials Scientist

Credentials & Honors

• CTO, Raytron Group
• Zhejiang Provincial High-level Talent Special Support Program - Young Talent
• Shaoxing "Technology Vice President"
• Shaoxing Science and Technology Commissioner
• Member of National Technical Committee 243 on Heavy Metals (SAC/TC 243/SC2)

National Standards (Lead Author) View Official

GB/T 27671-2011 - Copper Profiles for Electrical Conductors
YS/T 1043-2015 - Silver-bearing Oxygen-free Copper Strip for Motor Commutators
YS/T 974-2014 - Copper and Copper Alloy Strip for Composite Contact Materials
YS/T 1082-2015 - Copper Strip for Lamp Lead Stents

Patents (Inventor) Search Patents

CN104959396A - Production Process of Copper Strip for Composite Contact Materials
CN106077125A - Production Process of Copper Profile for Magnetic Pole Coils
CN201410710206 - Conductive Material for High-speed Railway Traction Motors and Production Method
CN201310719717 - Method for Controlling Strip Shape of Copper Strip Blank by Continuous Extrusion
CN201310720126 - Device for Controlling Strip Shape of Copper Strip Blank by Continuous Extrusion
CN201310376884 - Five-in-one Copper Strip Edge Treatment Equipment for Transformers
CN201420184755 - Continuous Extrusion Die Flow Promotion Device
CN201320761640 - Continuous Extrusion Waste Cleaning Device

Areas of Expertise

Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) Technology Copper-Clad Steel (CCS) Manufacturing Bimetallic Composite Materials PV Ribbon for Solar Cells Battery Tab Materials for EV Applications Continuous Extrusion Technology

Selected Publications

• Research and Application of Rolling Method for Manufacturing Metal Laminated Composites, Aluminum Processing Journal, 2008
• Annealing Process Research of Copper-Aluminum Composite Strip
• Research on Preparation Process of Copper/Aluminum Composite Strip for Cables
• Interface Microstructure Evolution of Rolled Copper/Aluminum Composite Strip During Annealing

Mr. Xu Gaolei is a distinguished expert in non-ferrous metal processing with over 15 years of experience. He is recognized as a Young Talent under the Zhejiang Provincial High-level Talent Special Support Program. He leads R&D initiatives in bimetallic composite technologies and has contributed significantly to the standardization of copper and bimetallic materials in China.

Click standard/patent codes to view official documents