Influence of Ti and Zr in Cu matrix on the shear strength between Cu-Ti and Cu-Zr alloys and carbon rod was studied. Cu based specimens containing 0.7 and 3.6 wt.% Ti as well as 0.15; 1.3 and 5.1 wt.% Zr were prepared by hot pressing (HP) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). In all cases, titanium diffuses to the boundary between carbon rod and Cu-Ti alloys and reacts with oxygen forming titanium oxides. Shear strength is higher for HIP specimens and increases with Ti content. The layer adjacent to carbon rod, in the case of Cu-Zr alloys, is pure copper (except for Cu-5.1 wt.% Zr alloy). The shear strength in this case is close to that of pure copper. For Cu-5.1 wt.% Zr the adjacent copper layer to C rod contains Cu-Zr particles. The shear strength is higher compared to Cu-0.15 and 1.3 wt.% Zr alloys, which can be due to the presence of this complex layer.