In this article, you will read about:

• Copper's importance and applications
• Unique properties: conductivity, recyclability, and antimicrobial features

Copper's Applications in Modern Life

Copper is a very important metal used in many parts of modern life, like in electrical, construction and electronics industries. It is known for its reddish-brown color and as a strong conductor of electrical current and heat. It is the foundation of modern power grids and conductive tracks on electronic circuit boards. ^{1, 2} 

It is primarily used in plumbing and electrical systems due to its exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. Copper's softness and ductility make it easy to produce commercial copper wire, which is extensively used to transmit electrical power from power stations to various locations.

Important copper alloys include brass, bronze, nickel silver, monel, and aluminum bronzes. The name comes from the Latin word "cuprum," meaning "from Cyprus," a clear allusion to the island that was a primary metal source for the Romans. ²

What Makes Copper so Popular?

Besides being aesthetically appealing and lightweight, copper has more superior properties:

• Regarding our favorite topic at Metaloop, recyclability, Copper is 100% recyclable and counts as the third most recycled metal after iron and aluminum. The estimations are that 80 percent of produced copper is still in use. ³ 
• Copper handrails, bed knobs, and push plates promote good public health as copper possesses antimicrobial properties. They can be seen in hospitals and public spaces and as a protective measure against superbugs. ³
• Copper is known for its resistance to corrosion. It gradually develops a green-colored layer called 'patina' when exposed to air and moisture. This patina acts as a protective barrier, preventing further damage to the underlying metal. ² 
  

The Statue of Liberty, for example, has turned green over time due to this very process, showcasing the natural formation of patina as a protective layer.

When the statue was unveiled in 1886, it had a brown color like a penny. However, by 1906, oxidation had caused a green patina to form on the surface. This thin oxidation layer can help preserve copper and bronze objects for centuries or even millennia.⁴

Let's Talk!

Your success is our success.

If you need help with managing your leftover post-production copper scrap, let's find out how we can help. We want to make recycling easy for you so that you can focus on what your business does best.

To do that, you can arrange a time to talk with Patrick Gallit, our Head of Growth, and learn how we can improve your recycling process: Schedule a 30-minute meeting here.

Works Cited

¹ “Copper | Uses, Properties, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/science/copper. Accessed 29 March 2023.

² Stwertka, Albert. A Guide to the Elements. Oxford University Press, 2002.

³ Green, Dan. The Periodic Table in Minutes. Quercus Publishing Plc, 2016.

⁴ Frazier, Ian. “The Statue of Liberty's Beguiling Green.” The New Yorker, 12 September 2016,https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/09/19/the-statue-of-libertys-beguiling-green. Accessed 29 March 2023.