The applications of copper are found throughout everyday society. Listed below are some common examples:
1. Electronics
In electronics, copper is commonly used for its excellent electrical conductivity. It allows currents to be carried on smaller cross-sections of copper compared to aluminum, allowing less bulk to be used, and components to be smaller.
2. Architecture
Since it’s quite the eye candy (well, for a metal), copper is commonly used in architecture. It has been used for roofing and wall cladding, as well as gutters and rainwater downspouts.
3. Plumbing
Copper tubing is used widely for domestic water piping in households, due to its very good corrosion resistance.
4. Transportation
Copper is used extensively in modern vehicles due to the amount of electrical cabling used for complex electronics. As electric vehicles grow in market share, increasing amounts of copper are used for elements such as electric motors. This is due to copper’s excellent electrical conductivity, second only to silver.
5. Renewable Energy
Copper is used in the renewable energy industry for, inter alia, wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels which need copper for connections and cabling.
6. Medical Equipment
Copper’s antibacterial properties make it a firm favorite for medical equipment coatings. In this way, it reduces the risk of infection in patients.
7. Electrical Wiring
Another thing that copper’s brilliant electrical conductivity is useful for is electrical wiring. The cross-section of copper required to carry a particular current effectively is less than other reasonably available materials such as aluminum.
8. Coinage
Copper has historically been used in coins for a number of reasons: it is malleable and therefore easily stamped, but still durable enough to survive in circulation. It also has antimicrobial properties and corrosion resistance.
9. Industrial Machinery
Copper is used in the manufacturing of many industrial pieces of equipment, with services such as copper die casting. Apart from electrical applications such as motors and cabling, it is also used in heat exchangers such as refrigeration condensers. It may also be applied for particular chemical resistance.
