Copper is an important industrial metal. This metal is found in nearly every gadget, from electrical appliances to medical tools. Its demand has increased significantly since 2010. According to a study, copper demand will probably increase by 20% to 30 million mt/year by 2035. This growth is due to a growing interest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In this article, we will discuss copper, its applications, benefits, and challenges.
Copper and its History
Copper atom has an atomic number of 29. It is a very malleable metal. It has great heat and electrical conductivity. As a result, it is widely used in a variety of important industries. We use copper in kitchenware and industrial machinery. Furthermore, it is a necessary nutrient for both people and animals. It is also essential for numerous biological activities like the production of red blood cells.
Human beings first used copper 10,000 years ago. Archeologists discovered the copper necklace in northern Iraq. It was abundantly utilized in coins, arts, and crafts at that time. But in the Middle Ages, iron and steel metals became more prominent. So, copper demand declined. Suddenly, there was a growing requirement for copper in the modern era. Its use has increased in scientific instruments. It is a major element in electrical systems, telecommunication, and in the transportation industry.
What is the Process of Making Copper?
Let’s discuss the process of making copper in sequence;
- Mining: Copper is obtained mainly as sulfides (chalcopyrite) and oxides (cuprite) from mines in large quantities.
- Crushing and Grinding: Copper minerals are embedded within waste rock at the mines. So, we access the copper by crushing the copper ore into fine particle size.
- Concentration: By froth flotation copper minerals are floated off the waste. It may result in the product, i.e. copper concentrate containing about thirty percent copper.
- Smelting: The copper concentrate is then put in a furnace to separate it from the sulfur and other impurities. So, the outcome is copper matte with almost 60% copper.
- Converting: Blister copper of about 98 – 99% pure is obtained by heating copper matte in a converter. Then we allow the air to drive out the remaining iron and sulfur.
- Electrorefining: Blister Copper is further refined through a process called electrolysis. So, we can obtain metal copper with a high degree of purity that is 99. 99%.
- Casting: Here, the refined copper is then subjected to processes, i.e. reduction, and conversion. It will then get into shapes like rods, billets, and sheets.
- Manufacturing: The cast shapes are rolled, drawn, or extruded to their final uses. These can be wires, tubes, and components for various uses.
Key Features of Copper
You know copper is a very famous element nowadays. So let’s discuss the properties that distinguish it from other metals.
1. Excellent Conductor
Copper is a highly efficient heat conductor. It easily transfers heat from one medium to another. Its thermal conductivity is approximately 386 W/mK. This makes it useful for heat exchangers, radiators, and cooking utensils. Free electrons are the cause of its high heat conductivity. These electrons are mobile and exchange energy with nearby electrons. They therefore become perfect conductors.
2. Highly Reactive
Copper is a highly reactive metal. It readily forms compounds with other elements. Plus, it reacts with water, air, and acids to form various compounds. copper oxide, copper hydroxide, and copper sulfate are some of its most useful compounds. Copper’s reactivity is due to its tendency to lose electrons and form ions.
3. Corrosion Resistant
Copper has a coating that naturally resists corrosion. Despite this, it reacts with water, oxygen, and air. However, copper resistance varies depending on the environment. Water and dry air have less impact on it. However, a saline and acidic climate can seriously corrode metal.
4. Ductility and Malleability
Copper is highly malleable. It has a ductility of 50-60%. Copper can be rolled and bent into various shapes and forms. Moreover, it can be stretched into thin wires and sheets without breaking. Copper’s high malleability makes it ideal for use in jewelry and decorative items. Similarly, its ductility makes it perfect for electrical components.
5. Electrochemical Properties
In addition to its excellent heat conductivity, it is also the best electrical conductor. It possesses a high electrical conductivity of roughly 59.6 x 10^7 S/m. Furthermore, Copper exhibits electrocatalytic properties. It acts as a catalyst in redox reactions. Thus, it is useful for batteries, fuel cells, and electroplating.
6. Strength and Melting Point
Copper is a relatively strong metal. Moreover, it has a high melting point. Its high strength falls between 33,000 to 55,000 psi. This indicates that copper is not prone to deformation even under high pressure. Copper’s strength comes from its crystalline structure.
Copper’s melting point at a temperature of 1,085°C. This means that copper requires a large amount of heat energy to shift from solid to liquid form. Copper’s high melting point is caused by strong bonds between its atoms.
What are the Different Types of Copper?
Different types of Copper are as follows:
| Type of Copper | Properties | Uses |
| Pure Copper (C11000) | High electrical/thermal conductivity, malleable | Electrical wiring, electronics, plumbing |
| Oxygen-Free Copper (C10200, C10100) | High purity, excellent conductivity, hydrogen-resistant | Audio cables, superconductors, vacuum devices |
| DHP Copper (C12200) | Contains phosphorus, improved welding/brazing | Plumbing, heating, roofing |
| ETP Copper (C11000) | Contains oxygen, high conductivity, cost-effective | Electrical applications, power transmission |
| Brass (Copper and Zinc) | Good strength, corrosion resistance, machinable | Musical instruments, plumbing fixtures |
| Bronze (Copper and Tin) | Hard, strong, corrosion-resistant | Bearings, ship propellers, sculptures |
Uses of Copper
Now you have enough knowledge about copper and its properties. So, let’s talk about its applications.
Electrical Devices
Copper is the ideal material for electrical wiring, circuits, and electronic components. It transmits energy with minimum resistance. Thus, it’s commonly utilized in:
- Electrical power distribution systems
- Smartphones, laptops and tablets
- Lighting fixtures and wiring
- Motors and generators
Architectural Industry
As you know, copper is a tough metal. Plus its bright color makes it highly attractive. So it is used in crafting attractive architectural buildings. Here are some of its applications.
- Roof Coverings
- Door handles and hinges
- Plumbing and piping systems
- Sculptures and statues
Industrial Machinery
Copper has unique properties. So, it is a highly valuable material in various industrial processes. It can easily withstand all kinds of harsh environments. It has low friction. It can even resist corrosion in aquatic environments. Due to this flexibility, it has applications in:
- Heat exchangers and condensers
- Catalysts for chemical reactions
- Marine hardware and propellers
- Industrial machinery and equipment
Health Care Industry
Copper has antibacterial effects. It prevents the growth of viruses and bacteria. Thus, hospital surfaces are coated with copper to stop the transmission of illnesses. It also helps in the healing of wounds. It is therefore a useful substance in the medicinal field.
- Implants and Surgical instruments
- Wound dressings and bandages
- Antimicrobial coatings for surfaces
- Water purification systems
Limitations of Copper
As everything in this universe has both pros and cons, so is the case with copper. Despite so many benefits, it also has some limitations. Some of them are:
- Copper is costly compared to other metals
- It has a shorter life span due to corrosion risk.
- It is a very bulky and thick metal.
- Copper wire cannot transmit signals over long distances.
- Copper wires can catch noise from the environment. As a result, they cause significant distortion.
Conclusion
To sum up, copper is a valuable metal. Its properties like conductivity, reactivity, and corrosion resistance make it different from other metals. Due to all these features, it has various applications. It is used in diverse industries. We find its applications in the medical, automotive, and electrical industries, etc. People are switching to clean energy sources day by day. so, the need for copper is growing fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different kinds of copper?
Copper has different types. The most common types are pure copper, copper alloys e.g. brass, bronze, and copper oxides like cupric oxide.
- How is copper extracted?
There are diverse methods of copper extraction. We can extract copper through mining and refining processes. The procedure also involves crushing, grinding, flotation, and electrolysis.
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