Characteristics of Copper
Copper is a high-performance metal with a wide range of properties. Its most notable characteristics are its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as its workability. It is often used in products that take advantage of these features.
- High electrical conductivity: Copper has the second-highest electrical conductivity after silver and is widely used as a substitute due to cost considerations.
- High thermal conductivity: Copper transfers heat more efficiently than steel or aluminum.
- Excellent workability: It is especially suitable for cutting and rolling processes and is easy to plate and solder.
Because copper is a relatively expensive material, it is typically used not for its mechanical strength—as in structural components—but rather for its physical and chemical properties.
High Electrical Conductivity · High Thermal Conductivity · Excellent Workability
| Property | Description | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| High electrical conductivity | Compared to other metals, copper has exceptionally high electrical conductivity—second only to silver. It combines excellent conductivity at a lower cost. | Electric motors, distribution boards, IC lead frames, terminals and connectors, electric wires, etc. |
| High thermal conductivity | Since electrical and thermal conductivity are correlated, thermal conductivity is also better than other metals. This property is used not only for heating but also for cooling. |
Cookware, heat exchangers (chemical plants, air conditioners), distillation kettles, etc. |
| Excellent workability | Among metals, copper is relatively soft. This makes it suitable for a wide range of processes, including bending, drawing, punching, and cutting. It also retains its strength even after processing. |
Precision instruments, gears, watches, screws, etc. |
| Good corrosion resistance | Compared to other metals, copper rarely rusts and is resistant to corrosion in various environments. This is due to passivation—the formation of an oxide film on its surface. |
Roofing materials, cold and hot water piping, ship hull materials, etc. |
| Excellent ductility | Copper is highly workable. It can be stretched, hammered, or drawn into wrought copper products without becoming brittle, and can even be thinned down like foil. | Light bulb bases, vacuum tube pins, lighters, snaps, etc. |
| Good spring properties | Copper alloys such as phosphor bronze, nickel silver, and beryllium copper offer excellent spring properties and fatigue strength. | Telecommunication devices, relays, connectors, electrical switches, etc. |
| Easy to plate or solder | Wrought copper products can be easily plated with gold, silver, nickel, chrome, etc. Soldering is also easy to apply. | Terminals and connectors, IC lead frames, radiators, etc. |
List of Properties
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