The Common Uses of Copper

Copper is one of the widely used and recognisable metals in the world. And it’s been one of humanity’s most useful materials for literally thousands of years. The device you’re reading this blog on right now is certain to have copper in its circuits and components, and there will be copper in the wiring, plumbing, lighting, coins and jewellery around you. It really is one of the key metals of the modern world.

But why is this? And exactly what is copper used for today? Rapid Metals is one of the UK’s leading stockists and suppliers of copper in all sorts of forms. In this blog we’ll explore both the properties of copper and its many practical applications.

Copper Properties and Uses

Copper has been such a versatile and widely used material because of its unique properties. It’s one of the few metals that has practical uses in its pure form (without being modified by mixing with other elements in an alloy). The majority of copper is initially extracted in the form of sulfide ores (ores usually containing less than one per cent copper by weight) or oxides, which are then refined and smelted to produce pure or near-pure copper. But copper can also occur naturally in its pure form.

This is why it started to be used and worked by humans as far back as 10,000 years ago. It was also the first metal to be cast in moulds (6000 years ago) and the first to be used as the basis of a deliberately-manufactured alloy (when copper was mixed with tin to create bronze about 5500 years ago). Copper was useful and desirable to ancient people for many of the same reasons we still use about 23 million tons of it each year in the 2020s – it’s highly malleable and ductile, it’s corrosion-resistant and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. It also has an attractive pink/orange colour and shines up when polished and cleaned, and is readily recyclable.

Electrical and Electronic Applications

If we were to try and pick copper’s single most important use, it would be for electrical applications. Copper’s combination of excellent electrical conductivity, low weight and high ductility (ability to be drawn into thin strands and wires) make it ideal for use in wiring and electrical components.

Wiring in homes, offices and factories is nearly always made of copper, as are the high-voltage power lines that carry electricity long distances (these are not insulated – you can often see the distinctive green/blue colour of weathered copper). Since the birth of the electrical era in the 19th century, copper has been the material of choice for the windings of electric motors, generators, transformers and other equipment, making electricity a practical form of power and energy. On a smaller scale, electronic components and circuit boards use copper in televisions, computers, smartphones and other tech gadgets.

Plumbing and Water Systems

Anyone who’s done some DIY or home renovation has almost certainly encountered copper plumbing. Why is copper used in water pipes? Copper is lightweight, ductile, cost effective and corrosion resistant, so it’s ideal for use in the complicated runs of small-diameter pipes found in homes. A big advantage of copper for plumbing is that it is easy to work with – copper pipes can be cut, shaped and joined without specialist tools, even in awkward spaces. It is a good basis for soldering to make joints and add fittings.

Because it doesn’t rust like iron or steel pipes, copper plumbing is much longer lasting and less prone to developing leaks or holes. Iron or steel pipes also tend to turn the water in them dirty with rust without regular flow. By contrast copper pipes don’t ‘leach’ into the water. That resistance to corrosion means that copper pipes don’t need painting or coating for protection. Copper also has antimicrobial properties, so copper pipes inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in plumbing.

Building and Construction

Builders and architects use copper for more than wiring and plumbing. It has both practical and aesthetic applications on the outside of buildings and as a design statement. Because it is light, workable and weather-resistant, copper has been used for centuries as a roofing material (albeit a relatively expensive one) and is even more often seen in details that mix function and form like gutters, railings, finials and domes.

A distinctive characteristic of copper is that over time and with exposure to the weather it develops a patina. The exposed upper layer of metal reacts with oxygen to form copper oxide, with a distinctive green/blue colour. This seals the metal below, preventing further corrosion.

The exact shade and texture of the patina, where it starts, how it spreads and how quickly it develops all depend on the type of copper used, the prevalent atmospheric and weather conditions, how exposed the copper surface is and a host of other factors. This means that copper roofing or cladding is not only practically effective, but each installation takes on a unique appearance. With proper sealing or regular cleaning, copper cladding can retain its bright natural colour (ranging from rich orange/pink to brassy yellow/gold depending on the grade of copper). No wonder architects like copper so much, and why it appears on so many buildings of all types, styles and ages.

Industrial Machinery and Transportation

Many of the properties of copper that we’ve already mentioned come together to explain why it’s such a common metal in industrial, mechanical and transport applications. Of course, many of these make use of wiring, switches, motors and transformers that we have already mentioned. Electric vehicles require a significant amount of copper for their motors, wiring and control systems.

A single typical battery electric vehicle (BEV) requires around 80kg of copper – nearly three times as much as a conventional internal combustion engine-powered car. In the ten years from 2017, the global demand for copper for vehicle manufacture is predicted to increase by a factor of nine.

Copper’s ductility and excellent heat conductivity make it widely used for industrial and vehicular heat exchangers such as radiators, oil coolers, intercoolers and coolers for marine engines.

Household and Decorative Uses

You can also find copper in household items and artworks. Thermal conductivity makes copper a superior choice for cookware such as pots and pans – they not only heat up and cool down quickly, allowing accurate and responsive temperature control while cooking, but they also allow heat to spread evenly, rather than developing hot spots.

There are also copper’s antibacterial properties to consider. And, by no means unimportant, copper also looks great in a kitchen thanks to its rich, warm colour and shine. All these reasons are why copper is also used for things in the home beyond kitchenware, such as door handles, railings, sinks and bathroom fixtures.

Whether you’re a plumber, an architect, an engineer or a hobbyist, copper can be a useful and vital material. The uses of copper metal are diverse and widespread—from the homes we live in to the machines that drive our industries. Thanks to the many useful properties of copper metal, it continues to be indispensable in our daily lives and the wider world.

Rapid Metals can supply many types of copper products in our online shop. Flat strips, copper sheet, round bar and tube or square bar – we can supply all this in a wide range of dimensions and custom lengths. Depending on the size of your order and your location, you can pick up your copper in one of our two stores in the Midlands, we can deliver, or we’ll send it by courier. Contact us to discuss your needs and find out more about our services.