Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a metal with good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. Copper is an indispensable key material in modern industry due to its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and strong corrosion resistance. Copper usually exists in the form of ores in nature. The most common copper ores are chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), chalcocite (Cu₂S), etc.
At JMJDWX STEEL, we offer the following Copper product options:
- Copper Plate/Sheet
- Copper Coil
- Copper Strip
- Copper Round Bar
- Copper Tube
- Copper Flate
- Copper Square Bar
- Copper Hexagon Bar
JMJDWX STEEL is your trusted supplier and exporter of premium industrial steel and metal products. Contact us to discuss your metal needs.
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and the atomic number 29. It is a metal with good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. Copper usually exists in the form of ore in nature. The most common copper ores are chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), chalcocite (Cu₂S), etc. Copper is an ancient metal that was discovered and used by humans as early as prehistoric times. It is one of the earliest metals used by humans.
Main characteristics of copper:
Excellent electrical conductivity:
Copper is one of the best conductive metals, second only to silver. This makes copper an important material in the fields of wires, electronic equipment, etc.
Good thermal conductivity:
Copper also has very good thermal conductivity and is often used in heat exchangers, pots, radiators and other occasions that require efficient heat transfer.
Corrosion resistance:
Copper has good corrosion resistance, especially in the atmosphere and seawater. Because a layer of patina (i.e. copper carbonate or copper oxide) will form on the surface of copper, it can effectively protect the metal from further corrosion.
Easy to process:
Copper is very easy to process and can be made into various shapes by forging, stretching, rolling, etc. It has good ductility and plasticity.
Aesthetics:
The surface of copper is red or gold. After oxidation or other chemical reactions, the surface will show green patina, which makes copper have high decorative value.
Antibacterial property:
Copper has natural antibacterial properties and can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria. Therefore, it is widely used in medical equipment, sanitary facilities and other fields.
Classification of copper:
Copper is usually divided into the following types according to its impurity components and different uses:
Pure copper (soft copper):
The copper content is very high, usually reaching more than 99.9%. Pure copper has very good electrical and thermal conductivity, but its strength is relatively low and it is easily affected by mechanical stress. It is often used in the fields of power and electrical engineering.
Alloy copper:
The performance of copper is mainly improved by alloying with other metals such as zinc, tin, aluminum, nickel, etc. Common copper alloys are:
Brass (copper-zinc alloy):
Different zinc contents are usually used to make coins, mechanical parts, musical instruments, etc.
Bronze (copper-tin alloy):
With different tin contents, it has strong wear resistance and corrosion resistance and is widely used in casting sculptures, ship parts, tools, etc.
Aluminum bronze (copper-aluminum alloy):
It has high strength and corrosion resistance and is often used in machinery, aerospace and marine engineering.
Phosphor bronze (copper-phosphorus alloy):
It is used to make electrical contacts and springs.
Copper-nickel alloy:
It is often used to make marine equipment and ship parts and has good corrosion resistance.
Application of copper:
Electrical and electronics:
Copper is one of the most conductive metals and is widely used in wires, cables, electronic components (such as resistors, capacitors) and electrical contacts.
Construction and decoration:
Copper is widely used in building materials such as roofs, pipes, doors and windows, exterior wall decoration, etc. Because it forms a beautiful green patina after natural oxidation, it is often used in artistic decoration and building facades.
Transportation:
Copper is used in certain parts of automobiles, ships, and aircraft, such as radiators, brake pads, pipes, connectors, etc.
Mechanical manufacturing:
Copper and its alloys are used to manufacture various mechanical parts, bearings, gears, pumps, valves, etc., especially in environments that require wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
Medical and antibacterial:
Copper has natural antibacterial properties, so it is widely used in medical devices, door handles, handrails and other places where bacteria need to be prevented.
Currency:
Copper and its alloys (such as brass and bronze) have been widely used in minting coins in history, and modern coins still use copper alloy materials.
Energy and heat exchange:
Copper is often used in heat exchangers, radiators, boiler pipes and other fields. Due to its excellent thermal conductivity, it can improve the efficiency of equipment.
Disadvantages of copper:
High cost: Copper is relatively expensive, especially pure copper, so in some applications, other cheaper conductive materials (such as aluminum) may need to be used instead.
Easy to oxidize: Copper is easily oxidized in the air to form a green patina. Although this can increase beauty and corrosion resistance, it may not be accepted in some occasions.
In general, copper is an indispensable key material in modern industry due to its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and strong corrosion resistance.
