Humans have used copper from ancient times. In our day, copper is utilized widely across the industrial sector because of its unique properties that make it utile. Copper should also be included in a healthy diet. We consider several uses for copper in industry below.
Jewelry
It is fairly well known that makers of jewelry use copper alloys in their products. Copper is often combined with gold or silver. This is done to enhance these metals’ properties by creating an alloy. Some properties bestowed by copper on silver and gold are corrosion resistant, improved hue, solidity, springiness, flexibility, and elasticity.
24-carat gold has not been combined with other metals. On the other hand, 18-carat yellow gold is only three-quarters gold and used to produce the most jewelry. Silver is combined with copper to form the alloy known as sterling silver. A comparison of 18-carat yellow gold and sterling silver (both copper alloys) shows the latter has a greater firmness.
While some jewelry causes skin problems, copper is hypoallergenic, making sterling silver the alloy of choice by jewelers.
Copper in the Medical Industry
The ancient Egyptians recorded the ability of copper to destroy multiple bacteria on contact. Modern research confirmed this finding. This led to many hospitals replacing commonly touched platinum surfaces with copper ones, for instance, doorknobs, railings, and bed frames.
Applications of Copper in the Electrical and Plumbing Industries
In America, four-fifths of plumbing tubes are made from copper. It is cheap to buy, and safe for water quality due to its antimicrobial properties. Other benefits are its ability to bend, be cut, or joined, immunity to hot water, and heat conduction. In 65% of cases in the USA, re-refined scrap copper is used rather than virgin, mined copper.
The first-biggest user of copper in America is the electrical industry, followed by the plumbing industry. As a conductor of electricity and heat, copper is the ideal substance for creating motor parts. Copper is often hammered into sheets to produce a die. Sometimes wires need to be stretched while remaining unbroken. Different thicknesses of copper piping are manufactured to work best in any setting, whether your new home, residential constructions, or industrial machine.
Copper Roofing
Installing copper roofing will ensure you of a long-lasting roof that seldom needs attention. Ancient civilizations used copper roofing in a number of ways, for example, over Japanese shrines and the roof of Rome’s the Pantheon. The advantages of using copper for roofing are that it has an extended lifecycle, is not weathered by the elements, is resistant to corrosion, low need for maintenance, appealing appearance, and is a cost-effective choice.
Copper Dies for Sheet Fed Applications
Copper dies created using a copper alloy are durable, hard objects, and impervious to minor damages like scratches or nicks. More than a million impressions can be manufactured by a single die. If you want dies for sheet fed applications, or letterpress, security upgrades, intaglio, or single-level embossing, you can learn more about Universal Engraving here.
Copper’s value will continue to increase and find new uses as technology develops.
