“pseudo-concepts” in the makeup brush industry**

 Due to technical improvement and rapid development of makeup brush industry, users can always hear of many new concepts and black technologies in the brands’ marketing rhetoric. Users may be confused and dazzled by such concepts, and in fact, some of them are "pseudo-concepts".

 
The following is an in-depth analysis of the common "pseudo-concepts" in the makeup brush industry, for users reference and then avoid consumer traps:

---

►Pseudo-concepts on materials

1. "100% natural animal hair"
 
Pseudo-concept :

1. Claiming”pure goat hair/squirrel hair", but actually blending synthetic hair or low-quality animal hair (such as raccoon hair pretending to be sable hair).
2. Using "animal hair scraps" but labeling them as high-quality hair (hair scale damage rate > 40%).

 
The truth:

1. EU regulations require that only animal hair content≥95% can be labeled "pure natural", but most brands did not send them to third-party institutions for inspection.
2. Infrared spectroscopy can identify the blending ratio.

 
2. "Nano-level antibacterial bristles"
 
Pseudo-concept:

1. Adding trace amount of nanosilver (concentration <10ppm), then claiming "99.9% antibacterial", but it actually loses effectiveness after 5 washes.
2. Confusing the concepts of "antibacterial" and "bacteriostasis" (antibacterial requires active killing of microorganisms, but most products only delay bacterial reproduction).

 
The truth:

1. Effective antibacterial must meet the ISO 20743 standard (antibacterial rate >70% and durability meets the standard).
2. The cost of real nanosilver coating increases by $0.25-0.4/gram, which is difficult to achieve with low-priced products.

 
3. "Degradable and eco-friendly brush handle"
 
Pseudo-concept:

1. PLA material is only used in part of the handle (accounting for less than 30%), but the whole handle is labeled "degradable".
2. Degradation conditions are not specified (industrial composting ≠ natural degradation, it may not decompose for a hundred years in a home environment).

The truth:

1. Compliance certification must pass ASTM D6400 (degradation of more than 90% in industrial composting in 180 days).
2. Beware of "greenwashing" brands: check the TÜV or BPI certification number.

---

►Pseudo-concept on craft

1. "Purely handmade"
 
Pseudo-concept :

1. Only the final assembly process is manual(such as labeling), but claim to be "100% handmade".
2. Using CNC engraving and manual polishing, blurs the essence of "semi-mechanized".

 
The truth:

1. The cost of real hand-made brushes is high
2. Detection method: Observe the consistency of the hair peak (the tolerance of the hair tip angle of machine-planted hair＜2°, but manual hair ＞10°).

 
2. "Aerospace-grade metal material"
 
Pseudo-concept:

1. Mark the Ordinary 6061 aluminum alloy as "aerospace aluminum" (the actual aerospace grade is 7075-T6, with over 3 times cost).
2. "Titanium alloy brush handle" is actually titanium-clad steel (titanium layer thickness <0.1mm).

 
The truth:

1. Aerospace materials must comply with AMS or GB/T 3191 standards, require the material warranty.
2. The density of a real titanium alloy brush handle is 4.5g/cm³ (significantly lighter than 8g/cm³of stainless steel).

 
3. "Magnetic suspension brush head"
 
Pseudo-concept:

1. Claims “Ordinary magnet” to be "magnetic suspension" (real magnetic suspension requires active electromagnetic control, cost> $7/piece).
2. The rotating brush head actually uses plastic buckles + springs, and its life span is only 3,000 rotations.

 
The truth:

1. Real magnetic suspension requires patented technology (such as Japan's Nidec brushless motor solution), and the noise is <20dB.
2. Disassembly verification: Check whether it contains coils and sensors (pseudo-concept products only use neodymium magnets).

---

►Functional pseudo-concept

1. "Smart temperature-sensing bristles"
 
Pseudo-concept:

1. Ordinary PBT bristles + temperature-changing pigments (cost $0.01/g), but claim to "adjust powder gripping according to body temperature".
2. Unable to quantify the temperature control range (such as claiming "32-37℃ adaptation", the actual temperature difference response is >5℃).

 
The truth:

1. True temperature-sensing materials require phase-changing microcapsules (such as Outlast®, license fee $0.7/g).
2. Verification method: Use a constant temperature water to test the bristle deformation response speed (true materials change within ±1℃).

 
2. "Ultrasonic hair transplantation technology"
 
Pseudo-concept:

1. Claim “ordinary mechanical hair transplantation” (tolerance±0.3mm) as "nano-level precision".
2. Claim"zero glue and environmental protection", but actually using hidden glue grooves (the amount of epoxy resin is the same).

 
Truth:

1. True ultrasonic hair transplantation requires 20kHz high-frequency vibration welding (equipment unit price > $100K), and glue is reduced by 80%.
2. Inspection method: Observe the hair roots under a microscope to see if they are melted and bonded (pseudo-concepts still have colloid residue).

 
3. "Negative ion skin care brush"
 
Pseudo-concept :

1. Embed ordinary ceramic beads in the brush handle (negative ion release <100 ions/cm³), but claim "anti-oxidation".
2. Confusing "negative ions" with "electron release" (true negative ions require ionized air, and the brush has no power supply).

 
Truth:

1. Effective negative ion concentration must be >2000 ions/cm³(professional detectors can measure, such as COM-3200).
2. Actual effect: psychological comfort > measured data (human perception threshold is much higher than product release).

---

►Guide to Anti-Scams

1. From Data

Ask for specific parameters:

1. Pseudo concept: "Super strong powder holding" → Real data: "Hair scale density > 200 pcs/mm²".
2. Pseudo concept: "Military-grade strength" → Real standard: "Complies with MIL-STD-810G drop test".

 
2. From Cost

Material cost bottom line:

1. Claim "pure copper brush handle" but selling price < $7→ must be copper-clad steel (copper price $7/kg).
2. "24K gold-plated brush" unit price <$27 → coating thickness < 0.1μm (real electroplating cost >$4/piece).

 
3. Third-party verification

Required to provide:

1. SGS/TÜV test report (focus on the test method, such as whether the antibacterial rate is in accordance with ISO 22196).
2. Material traceability certificate (such as AMS number for aluminum, CITES certificate for animal hair).

---

►Industry jargon translation

Marketing Talk	Truth	Suggestions
Handcrafted	80% of the processes are machine-made	Request production line video
Pore-level precision makeup application	Bristle diameter 0.2mm (no difference from ordinary brushes)	Request electron microscope tip detection image
EU environmental certification	Only the packaging box is FSC certified	Check whether the certificate number covers the product body
Patented technology support	Appearance patent (non-core technology)	Check patent number and confirm type (invention/utility model)

---

►Summary

1. Beware of "all-round products": one brush can be used for foundation + eyeshadow + contouring → actually each performance compromises.
2. Believe in the physics law: claim "zero gravity feel" but use a solid copper handle → density contradiction.
3. Pay attention to hidden costs: low-price "pure animal hair brushes" may omit the cruelty free process.

The progress of the industry needs to be driven by rational consumption. Next time you encounter a "black technology brush", you might as well ask: "Is physics/chemistry allowed to achieve this effect?"

Mainstream synthetic hair types

 More than 90% of makeup brushes are made of synthetic bristles, but there are various synthetic fibers with different performance for different makeup applications. So during communication with makeup brush manufacturers, customers’ should clarify the exact synthetic fiber type they need, so that the makeup brush factory can produce makeup brushes accordingly.

This article introduces the mainstream synthetic bristles of makeup brushes on the market and their performance comparisons, covering material characteristics, process differences and applications.

---

►Mainstream synthetic hair types and characteristics

1. Nylon

Material structure
Monofilament/composite filament (multiple strands of filaments twisted together)
Cross-sectional shape: round (basic), trilobal (to improve powder grip)

Performance parameters
Denier: 3D (ultra-fine soft hair) ~ 15D (highly elastic hard hair)
Elastic recovery rate: ≥85% (better than polyester)

Representative technology
Japanese Taklon® (Toray patented rounding process, hair tip roundness error <5μm)
German Koltolon® (low-temperature plasma treatment, reducing electrostatic adsorption)

Applications
Foundation brush (high-density 15D hard hair)
Eyeliner brush (3D ultra-fine tip)

2. PET/PBT

Material variants
Ordinary PET: Lowest cost, easy to generate static electricity
Modified PBT: Improve heat resistance through copolymerization (softening point 220℃)
Ultra-fine PET: 0.05-0.1 denier (imitation of animal hair touch)

Core technology
Tip rounding: laser cutting + ceramic wheel polishing (reduce skin irritation)
Gradient hair transplantation: thick hair root (10D) → fine hair tip (3D) to achieve layered powder grabbing

Applications
Loose powder brush (fluffy PBT hair)
Blush brush (gradient PET hair)

3. Bionic synthetic hair

Bio-based materials
Plant protein fiber (soybean/corn extracted, biodegradability ≥ 60%)
Alginate fiber (antibacterial rate＞99%, suitable for sensitive skin)

Structural bionics
Goat hair imitation: hollow microporous structure (30% increase in thermal insulation)
Sable hair imitation: scaly surface treatment (powder holding capacity close to 90% of natural hair)

Applications
High-end powder brush (imitation sable hair)
Children's makeup brush (antibacterial seaweed fiber)

4. Functional modified fiber

Antistatic
Carbon nanotube coating (surface resistance <10⁶Ω)
Ionic liquid modification (lasting antistatic >6 months)

Antibacterial
Nanosilver embedded fiber (antibacterial rate >99.9%, meet AATCC 100 standard)

---

►Key performance comparison

Index	Nylon	PET	PBT	Bionic synthetic hair
Softness	★★☆	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
Powder holding	★★★★	★★★	★★☆	★★★★★
Antistatic	★★☆	★☆	★★★	★★★★
Durability	★★★★★	★★★	★★★★	★★☆
Environmental protection	★☆	★★	★★★	★★★★★
Cost（USD/g）	$0.1～0.16	$0.04～0.08	$0.13～0.2	$0.33～0.66

---

►Process innovation

Special-shaped cross-section technology
Star-shaped cross-section: 30% increase in surface area (improves the ductility of liquid products)
Grooved fibers: longitudinal micro-grooves store powder (reduces flying powder by 50%)

Tip treatment solution
Ultra-fine grinding: nano-aluminum oxide polishing (skin contact angle <15°, suitable for sensitive skin)
Segmented taper: 0.3mm→0.05mm three-level gradient (precise eyeliner drawing)

Compound hair transplantation process
Nylon + PET mixed transplantation: hard hair support + soft hair touch skin (patented foundation brush design)
Magnetic hair transplantation: replaceable brush head (Sigma magnetic suction system)

---

►Selection suggestions

Professional makeup brushes
Recommended materials: high-density nylon (15D) + imitation sable composite hair transplantation
Process requirements: 0.1mm precision laser cutting, hair density > 200 strands/cm²

Daily portable brushes
Recommended materials: antistatic PBT (7D) + antibacterial coating
Process requirements: hollow tubular structure reduces weight by 30%

Environmentally friendly concept brushes
Recommended materials: corn protein fiber + water-based UV curing coating
Process requirements: low-temperature injection molding to avoid decomposition of biomaterials

---

►Trends

Intelligent materials
Conductive fiber bristles (detecting the amount of powder taken by resistance change)
Shape memory alloy wire (automatically restores the brush shape)

Microecological adaptation
PH responsive fiber (adjusts the powder release speed according to the PH of the skin)
Probiotic coating (maintains the balance of bacteria on the surface of the bristles)

Zero-waste production
3D woven seamless brush head (reduces the use of hair-planting glue)
Recycled hair material regeneration technology (Shiseido has achieved a 30% recycled hair ratio)

---

►FAQ

Q：Can synthetic hair completely replace animal hair?
A：In terms of powder holding power and skin affinity, top-grade bionic hair (such as Japanese kuromori imitation gray squirrel hair) is close to 90% of the performance of natural hair, but the cost is 2-3 times that of natural hair.
 
Q：How to choose bristles for sensitive skin?
A：1st choice is Ultra-fine rounded PET (denier ≤ 3D) or alginate fiber ,avoid using untreated coarse nylon hair (contact angle ＞45° is easy to irritate).

Q：How to extend the life of synthetic hair?
A：Suggestions: ① Choose PBT material (excellent heat resistance); ② Use neutral detergent; ③ Put a net on brush head when drying in the shade to prevent hair from frying.

---

Through the combination of material science and precision manufacturing technology, modern synthetic hair has broken through the traditional performance limitations. Brands should choose differentiated solutions based on product positioning (professional/mass/environmental protection), while paying attention to the EU (EU) 2023 new regulations on plasticizer restrictions in synthetic fibers.

The makeup brush trends in 2025

 The makeup brush design in 2025 will deeply integrate technology, sustainable concepts and personalized needs, and promote the development of beauty tools in a smarter, more environmentally friendly and efficient direction. The following are the innovative designs and trend forecasts of makeup brushes in the future, for customers’ reference during design and OEM makeup brushes:

---

►The core innovative design of makeup brushes in 2025
 
Smart makeup brush

1. AI technology integration: The brush handle has a built-in micro sensor that analyzes skin conditions (such as moisture and oil) by connecting to a mobile phone APP, and recommends appropriate foundation amount or eyeshadow color.
2. Adaptive force control: Automatically adjusts the vibration frequency according to the usage scenario (such as concealer or smudge) to improve the accuracy of makeup application.
3. Learning user habits: Record users’ preferences (such as holding angle and force) and optimize the subsequent usage experience through algorithms.

 
Sustainable material revolution

1. Plant-based bristles: use biodegradable bristles made from corn fiber, bamboo fiber or seaweed extract,to replace traditional animal hair and plastic synthetic bristles.
2. Zero waste design: The brush handle uses recyclable metal or 3D printed bioplastic, which supports modular disassembly (such as replacement brush head + permanent handle).
3. Carbon footprint label: Brush brand discloses the carbon emissions of each brush production to promote consumers' environmentally friendly choices.

 
Multifunctional beauty tools:

1. Beauty instrument + makeup brush: The brush head integrates microcurrent or radio frequency function, which promotes the absorption of skin care products while applying makeup (such as foundation brush combined with anti-aging technology).
2. Temperature control technology: The bristle heating function helps cream products (concealer, highlighter) fit better on the skin, or the cooling function calms sensitive skin.
3. Magnetic deformable brush head: A single handle matches variable brush heads (fan-shaped, tongue-shaped, cone-shaped), which can be switched by magnetic suction.

 
Health and safety upgrade

1. Self-cleaning system: built-in UV-C ultraviolet sterilization or electrolyzed water cleaning technology to prevent bacteria from growing on the bristles.
2. Anti-allergic coating: The bristle surface is covered with a nano-level antibacterial layer, suitable for sensitive skin and fragile skin after medical beauty.

---

►Major trends of makeup brushes in the future
 
Technology empowers personalized beauty

1. Through AI algorithms and user data, customize the exclusive brush head shape and density, to suit different face shapes and eye shapes (such as dedicated eyeshadow brushes for single eyelids).
2. AR virtual makeup trial + physical tool: After the APP scans the face, the smart brush vibrates to indicate the eyeshadow range or contouring position.

 
Minimalism and functionality balance

1. Invisible design: The brush handle uses matte touch material and neutral tones (sand dune, fog gray), which is suitable for minimalist aesthetics.
2. Portable and deformable structure: retractable brush handle or folding design, reducing the volume (such as a lipstick-sized loose powder brush).

 
Culturally inclusive design

1. Customized tools for different skin types and skin tones,break the "one size fits all" tradition.
2. Braille label and anti-slip design on the brush handle to for people with disabilities.

 
Brand crossover and art collaboration

1. Collaborate with digital artists to launch NFT virtual makeup brushes. Buying a physical brush can unlock AR filters or metaverse image skins.
2. Luxury co-branded models (such as Hermès craft brush handles + sustainable bristles) for high-end collection market.

 
Subscription and circular economy

1. Subscribe to monthly brush head replacements, and recycle old bristles into new products.
2. The brand launches a "trade-in" program to encourage consumers to return discarded brush handles.

---

► Representative cases

1. Hourglass: In 2024, a carbon-neutral makeup brush series has been launched,the brush handles are made of recycled ocean plastic.
2. Fenty Beauty: In 2025, it plans to release the "AI Sculpt Brush", which guides users on the contouring angle through an APP.
3. Shiseido: Cooperated with Panasonic to develop a "warm foundation brush" that uses temperature differences to improve the fit of foundation.
4. Emerging brand Doe: The main product is "100% compostable" brushes, and the packaging is made of mycelium materials.

---

► Consumer demand drivers

1. Efficiency first: Fast-paced life requires "one-click precision" tools to reduce trial and error costs.
2. Ethical consumption: Generation Z promotes the popularity of cruelty-free and low-carbon products.
3. Technology dependence: The deep integration of beauty and health data has become a rigid demand.

---

In 2025, makeup brushes will not only be tools, but also "future beauty carriers" that combine data, environmental protection and art. Makeup brush manufacturers need to find a balance between technology R&D and user insights to seize market opportunities.

Handle materials of makeup brushes

 During custom makeup brushes, bristles are the most important since they directly touch skin; handle is the second important, as it affects the comfort and flexibility during makeup application. Comfortable handles are ergonomic and easier for makeup artists’ applications. Besides hand feel, customers may have many other concerns such as appearance, environment protection, cost etc, so makeup brush handles have variable material choices. The following is a detailed description of common materials for makeup brush handles and their comparisons, covering key dimensions such as texture, cost, durability, and environmental protection, for customers’ reference during their communication with makeup brush manufacturers:

 

►Common makeup brush handle materials and comparisons

Material Type	Representative Materials	Pros	Cons	Application
Natural	Solid wood (birch, ebony, bamboo)	① Natural texture, great touch; ② Environmentally friendly and degradable; ③ High-end retro texture	① Easy to be affected by moisture and crack; ② Anti-mildew treatment is required ③ High cost	Handmade high-end brushes, Japanese/Chinese style products
Plastics	ABS, Acrylic, PP	① Low cost (unit price $0.05～$0.25); ② Lightweight and easy to dye; ③ Can be injection molded into complex shapes	① Cheap texture; ② Not resistant to high temperatures (ABS deformation temperature 80-100°C); ③ Poor environmental protection (difficult to degrade)	Cheap makeup brushes, disposable brushes
Metal	Aluminum alloy, copper, stainless steel	① High strength and wear resistance; ② Surface can be electroplated/anodized (high-end feel); ③ Good thermal conductivity (suitable for quick-drying brush heads)	① Heavy weight (copper density 8.9g/cm³); ② High processing cost; ③ Feels cold in winter	Professional makeup brush, metal design
Resin	Epoxy resin, PU resin	① High gloss/transparent effect (imitation crystal); ② Can be embedded with decorations (sequins, dried flowers); ③ Chemical corrosion resistance	① Easy to age and turn yellow (sensitive to ultraviolet rays); ② Highly brittle (easy to break when dropped); ③ Medium to high cost	Art makeup brushes, limited edition joint edition
Composite	Bamboo fiber + PLA, recycled plastic	① Degradable/recyclable; ② Lightweight (density 1.2~1.4g/cm³); ③ Comply with environmental regulations	① Low strength (needs thickening design); ② Rough surface texture; ③ High production cost	Green brands, environmentally friendly products
Silicone	Food grade liquid silicone	① Anti-slip and shock-resistant; ② High temperature resistance (-50～200℃); ③ Soft touch	① Easy to absorb dust; ② Simple shape (difficult to carve finely); ③ High cost	ravel brushes, child brushes
Ceramics	Glazed ceramics, stoneware	① Strong artistic feel (hand-painted patterns are possible); ② High temperature resistance, easy to clean; ③ Moderate weight	① Fragile (poor impact resistance); ② Long processing cycle (needs firing); ③ Extremely high cost	Collection-level brushes, brand flagship models

 
 

►Key Performance Indicators Comparison

Indicators	Best material	Worst material	Remarks
Lightweight	Plastic (density 1.0～1.2g/cm³)	Copper (density 8.9g/cm³)	plastic/bamboo fiber for travel brushes
Durability	Stainless steel (strong impact resistance)	Resin (high brittle)	Metal is suitable for long-term use
Cost	PP plastic ($0.04-～$0.1/piece)	Handmade ceramics ($6.5/piece)	ABS/aluminum for mass products
Environmental protection	Bamboo/PLA composite material (degradable)	PVC plastic (containing plasticizer)	EU market prefers bamboo/recycled materials
Processing freedom	Resin (complex shapes can be 3D printed)	Ceramics (relying on mold firing)	Resins suitable for customized designs
Touch comfort	Silicone (soft and non-slip)	Metal (cold and hard)	Sensitive skin products prefer silicone/matte resin

 

►Material selection suggestions

• High-end luxury goods
  1. Recommended materials: solid wood (ebony/rosewood) + metal edging, glazed pottery
  2. Craftsmanship: hand-carved, 24K gold foil inlay, matte varnish protection

 

• Professional makeup artist brushes
  1. Recommended materials: aluminum alloy (anodized), non-slip silicone handle
  2. Technology focus: ergonomic design, wear-resistant electroplating layer

 

• Affordable fast-moving consumer goods

1. Recommended materials: ABS plastic (gradient dyeing), bamboo fiber composite materials
2. Technology focus: rapid injection molding, silk screen LOGO

 

• Environmentally friendly products

1. Recommended materials: recycled plastic (PCR), bamboo + PLA bio-based materials
2. Technology focus: FSC certified packaging, ink-free embossing

 
►Industry Trends and Innovation

• Composite material

1. Metal + silicone: The handle is made of silicone for anti-slip, and the metal tube enhances the texture.
2. Wood-plastic composite material: wood powder + PE/PP, balancing natural feel and moisture resistance.

• Intelligent upgrade

1. Conductive material: built-in capacitive touch area (such as aluminum handle + touch sensing chip).
2. Thermosensitive coating: the brush handle changes color with temperature (thermosensitive coating + resin substrate).

• Sustainable technology

1. Water-based paint: replaces traditional oil-based paint and reduces VOC emissions.
2. Zero electroplating technology: PVD vacuum plating replaces traditional water electroplating, without wastewater pollution.

►Q&A

Q: Is the metal brush handle uncomfortable to use in winter?
A: The touch can be improved by coating the surface with silicone/matte sandblasting, or by designing a hollow structure to reduce weight.
 
Q: How to prevent mildew on wooden brush handles?
A: It needs to be soaked in tung oil or treated with UV curing coating to avoid prolonged contact with water stains.
 
Q: Which material is best for people with sensitive skin?
A: Food-grade silicone or matte resin is recommended to avoid the risk of allergic reactions caused by nickel plating (must comply with EU REACH regulations).
 
Through the combination of materials optimization and processes, the makeup brushes can meet the requirements of different consumer groups. When making selections during OEM makeup brushes, it is necessary to balance the three major factors of cost, function, and design style. Customers should require the makeup brush manufacturers to provide samples to do the test first and determine the final solution.

Copper ferrules of makeup brushes

 Besides aluminum ferrule, copper ferrule is also an option for makeup brushes, especially for top end makeup brushes. Professional makeup artists or purchasers know that copper ferrule is thicker/heavier/durable/more shinning than aluminum ferrule, but during OEM makeup brushes, price is an important concern, the makeup brushes with copper ferrule is much expensive than aluminum ferrule. And even the same copper ferrule raw material, if different thickness and process, the price will vary. So at the beginning of custom makeup brushes, customers should clarify their exact demands on the copper ferrule, so that the makeup brush manufacturers can quote accurate price and provide qualified makeup brushes accordingly. In this article, we will briefly introduce the thickness and process of copper ferrule, as well as its difference with aluminum ferrule, for customers’ reference during OEM makeup brushes.

The following is a detailed description of the regular thickness, thickened thickness and processing technology of the makeup brush copper ferrule:
 
►Thickness

Regular thickness: 0.4mm～0.6mm
Features：

1. Suitable for mid-to-high-end makeup brushes, taking into account weight, hand feel and strength.
2. Copper's natural ductility is better than aluminum, and it is suitable for complex shapes (such as embossment and carving).

Applications: ordinary high-end makeup brushes, art design makeup brushes
 

Thickened Thickness:0.7mm～1.0mm (customized requirements can reach 1.2mm)
Features：

1. Heavy texture, strong resistance to deformation, suitable for large-sized brush handles or products that need to be used for a long time.
2. Surface treatment (such as gold plating, antique aging) has a more lasting effect.

Applications: luxury makeup brushes, collection-level products, customized packaging that requires hand-carving.

 
►Processing

Raw material selection
Material:

1. H65 brass (copper-zinc alloy, containing 65% copper) is commonly used, which combines ductility and strength.
2. For high-end products, can choose phosphor bronze (more corrosion-resistant but expensive).

State: soft state (O state) or semi-hard state (H02), select according to molding requirements.
 
Stamping

1. Cold stamping: The copper strip is stamped into a tubular blank through a continuous die (the springback of the copper material needs to be controlled).
2. Stretching process: 3 to 4 stretching steps are performed to gradually adjust the uniformity of the tube diameter and wall thickness (copper has high ductility, can reduce the number of annealing times).

Annealing treatment

1. Temperature: 450℃～600℃ (copper recrystallization temperature is relatively high, so precise temperature control is required).
2. Time: 1～3 hours (adjusted according to the composition and thickness of the copper material to eliminate work hardening).
3. Protective atmosphere: nitrogen or vacuum annealing to prevent oxidation and discoloration of the copper surface.

 
Surface treatment

Polishing: Mechanical polishing or electrolytic polishing to achieve mirror or matte effect.
Plating:

1. Nickel plating/chrome plating: basic anti-corrosion layer (3-5μm).
2. Gold plating/rose gold plating: decorative plating (0.5~2μm).

Oxidation aging: Chemical oxidation produces a verdigris or antique blackening effect (protective paint needs to be sprayed).
Spraying: Clear paint or colored paint (to protect the original color of copper or to achieve special colors).

 
Finishing and assembly

1. Engraving/etching: Laser engraving logo or pattern (power must be controlled to avoid burning through thin walls).
2. Welding/riveting: copper ferrule and brush head connection (copper conducts heat quickly, high temperature deformation must be avoided).
3. Sealing: crimping or thread sealing (copper is soft, strength must be controlled to prevent deformation).

 
Quality inspection

1. Wall thickness uniformity: X-ray or ultrasonic inspection (copper tubes are prone to uneven local stretching).
2. Corrosion resistance: Salt spray test (copper itself is corrosion-resistant, but the coating needs to pass a 24-72 hour test).
3. Appearance consistency: Colorimeter to detect coating color, visual inspection of surface defects.

 
►Process Differences Between Copper Ferrules and Aluminum Ferrules

Item	Copper	Aluminum
Annealing temperature	450℃～600℃	300℃～400℃
Difficulty of surface treatment	Easy to oxidize, requiring more stringent anti-rust pretreatment	The oxide film is stable and anodizing is more convenient
Forming springback	Low rebound rate and easy to control dimensional accuracy	High rebound rate, multiple corrections are required
Cost	High raw material cost (about 3 to 4 times that of aluminum)	Low cost, suitable for mass production
Environmental protection	100% recyclable, but electroplating wastewater contains heavy metals	Recyclable, low anodizing pollution

 
 
►Key process considerations

Anti-oxidation control:
During the whole process, bare copper should be kept away from moisture. Anti-rust oil or temporary passivation can be applied during the intermediate process.
 
Electroplating adhesion:
The copper surface needs to be primed with nickel (1-2μm) to prevent copper ion migration from causing the coating to peel off.
 
Risks of thin-wall processing:
When the thickness is less than 0.4mm, it is easy to crack during stamping, so it is necessary to use soft copper and increase the number of annealing times.
 
Cost optimization:
Using copper-clad steel or copper-aluminum composite pipes can reduce costs, but will sacrifice the texture of pure copper.

 
►Industry Trends

1. Lightweight design: Ultra-thin copper tubes (0.3mm) are strengthened by increasing the zinc content.
2. Retro craft revival: Hand-hammering, acid etching and other processes are applied to limited edition products.
3. Environmentally friendly alternatives: Cyanide-free electroplating and water-based paint spraying technologies are gradually becoming popular.

 
►The advantages and disadvantages of copper ferrules
 

Advantages	Disadvantages
High-quality texture, suitable for luxury goods	High cost
Good ductility, can achieve complex shapes	Easy to oxidize during processing, need additional protection
Corrosion resistance is better than ordinary steel	The electroplating process is complex (multi-layer plating is required)
Good thermal conductivity, suitable for brushes that need to dry quickly	Heavy and less portable

 
 
The above process parameters can be adjusted according to specific requirements (such as copper pipe diameter, surface effect).