Copper’s Many Amazing Properties

Copper is a metal used in a wide range of industries, from the brass in musical instruments to the copper alloy siding used in the hulls of military ships. The many practical uses for this versatile metal make it an ever-present element in modern life, but its uses go back to ancient times.

The Historic Uses of Copper Alloys

Copper is malleable and easy to mine, which is why it is used in so many alloys. Copper was first used in alloys to create coins (like the copper penny) and decorative objects. Copper is very effective when combined into an alloy with tin, which was a breakthrough discovery that eventually lead to the “Bronze Age.” During this period, between 3300 – 1200 BC, copper and tin alloys lead to major developments in the creation of tools. Before this, most tools were made of wood or stone. The copper and tin alloy, which was composed of 9 parts copper to one part tin, was a much more effective tool for cutting and chopping materials and food.

Important Details About Copper

Copper has many valuable and practical properties, including its conductivity to heat and electricity. It’s also available in abundance in the United States and in Europe, so it’s one of the few important metals used in industry that doesn’t come from other countries outside the west.
One of the most important properties of copper is its versatility in alloys. Copper combines well with nickel, and the combination of copper with zinc makes brass (which is great for use in musical pieces, as previously mentioned). The combination of copper and tin make bronze, which of course, helped to bring in the Bronze Age.

Copper’s Use in Industry

Copper is used widely in industries like transportation (in automobile parts) and home construction (for electrical wiring and for pipes). Copper is also used in medical treatments, as it is biostatic and has antimicrobial properties. Copper is also resistant to corrosion from saline water, so it is widely used in ship construction.

Today, copper has many uses across numerous industries, and there’s only one place to get high-quality metal grades for aviation. Avion Alloys is a NASA-approved vendor that produces high quality materials for multiple industries including aircraft, ammunition, military armored vehicles, and infrastructure. We go beyond traditional metal service centers by not only providing quality materials, but eliminating costs and supply chain obstacles. Contact us today at (800) 408-2329 for a free quote.

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