Have you ever wondered what copper is used for? Well, I’m telling you that this mineral or metal has an infinite number of applications due to its features.
Copper is a native metallic element that is characterized by being very malleable, it effectively conducts electricity, it has bactericidal properties, it is very abundant in nature and it is a metal that can be easily recycled, this means that it has an infinite number of uses and applications.
Uses of copper in jewelry
Copper is an easily cast base metal that is often added to precious metals to improve their elasticity, flexibility, hardness, color, and corrosion resistance.
Copper applied to jewelry is used to form more resistant alloys with other metals such as gold and silver, in addition, in the alloy it gives a new color to the jewel.
Also thanks to copper, the jewels acquire a hypoallergenic property, which allows the jewels to be worn by practically anyone, without so much risk of suffering from allergies or injuries.
The most common copper alloys in the jewelry industry is with gold and silver to create higher quality jewelry.
Medical uses of copper
The Egyptians were one of the first cultures to use copper due to its very effective antibacterial property, now there are many studies that claim and prove that copper kills bacteria.
This means that all instruments or surfaces created or coated with copper will be almost entirely free of bacteria that can cause damage to health.
This bactericidal property has made most hospitals use copper to manufacture handrails, doorknobs, faucets, surfaces, and various medical instruments.
To manufacture bactericidal textiles
Likewise, the antibacterial properties that copper has and its malleability make it possible to create mixed textiles made with copper threads. These copper threads will kill bacteria from the environment, from body sweat, and can even help fight possible viruses. like COVID-19.
In other words, highly effective masks can be created to combat viruses, made with copper.
Other clothes made with copper include socks, blankets, sheets, towels and etc.
Copper applications in the electrical and electronic industry
- Copper allows electricity to reach each of our homes, because it is an excellent electrical conductor and is used to make electrical cables.
- In addition, it is part of various electronic parts of devices that we use on a daily basis such as cell phones, computers, televisions, headphones and everything that uses a battery and electricity.
- They are also in cars, urban buses, planes, trains, ships and everything that transports us, because this metal is found in engines, radiators, turbines and small clothing used in the transport industry.
- In electronics, it is generally used because the metal makes up microchips and semiconductors.
- Currently, copper plays a very important role because it is present in cell phones and it makes up 20% of their volume in these devices.
Uses in the automobile industry
The future of automobiles is going towards electric cars, and that makes the demand for copper increase.
This is because a normal gasoline or diesel car only uses about 24 kg of copper per car, however, an electric car can use between 50 kg and 113 kg.
Copper applications in the home
In this section we can highlight the applications of copper to manufacture all the electrical wires or cables that will serve to transmit electricity from all the electronic devices in the home and will also allow electrical energy to reach our homes.
- It is indisputable that the use of copper in pots and pans achieves a more effective heat distribution to food and lower energy expenditure, making food better cooked and preserved.
- Another use in the home is that this metal forms air conditioners, solar panels and electrical cables that provide comfort to families.
- In addition, this metal makes up various electronic devices in the home, such as televisions, blenders, computers, etc.
Uses of copper in construction
- Copper is key in this industry because it makes up the pipes and the houses of the buildings, and due to the bactericidal properties that this material has, it contributes to the purification of water.
- In addition, this metal makes up the electrical cables that will carry electricity to our homes and industries.
- Thanks to nanotechnology, it is possible to use millimeter copper particles in the production of any object made of polymers, such as plastics and paints, expanding the application possibilities of the antibacterial property of copper. A whole new world to discover!
Copper to make coins
Copper is an easily recyclable material that since ancient times has been used to make coins. In this regard, there may be coins made entirely of copper or metal alloys with copper such as brass (copper and zinc alloy) and bronze (copper, tin and zinc alloy).
Initially the coins were made with gold and silver, later they were made with copper and copper alloys because it is a not so expensive material, more recyclable and more abundant.
Uses of copper in crafts and musical instruments
Copper can also be used to make a variety of handicrafts such as copper pots, vases, rings, and copper pendants.
In addition there are certain situations in which a musical instrument is made with copper parts.