Recent patent disclosures highlight accelerating innovation in tellurium copper alloys, with two Chinese companies achieving notable breakthroughs in material performance and smelting technology.
Ningbo Jintian: High-Conductivity, Bend-Resistant Tellurium Copper Strip
According to information released by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, Ningbo Jintian Copper (Group) Co., Ltd. filed a patent on September 19, 2025, titled “High-Conductivity and Bend-Resistant Tellurium Copper Alloy Strip and Its Preparation Method and Application” (Publication No. CN121362896A; Application No. CN202511346272.1), which was published on January 20, 2026.
The patent focuses on the development of a high-conductivity, bend-resistant tellurium copper alloy strip. The alloy composition is precisely controlled, containing 0.003–0.10 wt% Te, 0.003–0.04 wt% Sn, 0.001–0.010 wt% P, and 0.001–0.12 wt% M (where M represents Sr and/or Ca), with the balance being copper and unavoidable impurities.
The alloy strip contains a secondary Cu₂Te phase with an aspect ratio of 1.0–1.5. Owing to this optimized composition and microstructure, the material exhibits both high electrical conductivity and excellent bending resistance, making it suitable for applications in electronics, electrical components, and related fields.
Sichuan Copay: Innovative Smelting Furnace Enhances Alloy Performance
Separately, Sichuan Copay New Materials Co., Ltd. applied in December 2025 for a patent titled “A Tellurium Copper Alloy Smelting Furnace and Its Application” (Publication No. CN121346513A), according to official patent records.
The patent relates to smelting furnace technology and introduces a specially designed furnace for tellurium copper alloys. The system consists of a furnace lining, a furnace cover, and a dedicated alloy feeding system, forming a closed furnace chamber surrounded by an induction heating system.
The feeding system includes a hopper and a feed pipe equipped with a material valve. A vertically extended holding tube is installed at the center of the furnace bottom, featuring a group of through-holes, with its top positioned below the molten metal level. The feed pipe extends into the holding tube and is further equipped with a branch pipe connected to a vacuum valve, vacuum pump, and exhaust line, allowing alloy materials to be fed below the molten bath surface under controlled conditions.
This structural design improves alloy quality and smelting efficiency, representing a meaningful advancement in tellurium copper alloy production technology.
Industry Impact
The patent filings from Ningbo Jintian and Sichuan Copay demonstrate parallel innovation paths—one focused on high-performance alloy strip materials and the other on advanced smelting equipment. Together, they reflect growing R&D intensity in the copper industry and are expected to support broader application and performance upgrades of tellurium copper alloys, contributing to the sector’s technological advancement.
Source：CBC