The ABC's of copper
A
Automotive
Any motor vehicle requires a large amount of copper to operate. The engine, electrical wiring, sensors, infotainment systems, etc., all devices need this metal that provides technology, electrical power, efficiency and, above all, quality.
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B
Billet
In order to manufacture copper piping, pure copper billets are created that weigh approximately 800 kg. Pipes of various sizes and thickness are made from these copper cylinders by heating them to a temperature of 1,200º C.
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C
Cables
Switching on a lamp, using a computer or talking on the phone requires a series of electrical cables. These are made of copper and, thanks to its excellent conductivity and durability over time, it is an indisputable material for transporting electricity worldwide. -
CH
Chocolate
Many people are chocolate lovers, but few know that it is a food rich in copper. This reddish metal encourages cardiovascular and neurological wellbeing, strengthens connective tissues and promotes bone growth. The chocolate with the higher copper content is dark chocolate. -
D
Disease
The use of copper nets in fish farms prevents the fish from becoming diseased, while at the same time helping to increase production. These nets also prevent attacks by other predators, do not require maintenance over time and help to maintain higher levels of oxygen inside the net enclosure, which ensures a better quality of life for the fish living there. -
E
Energy (renowables)
There is an energy that is greater than that generated by oil, gas, coal and nuclear plants: solar energy. To convert sunlight into energy we need systems such as photovoltaic cells. These are made mostly of copper, a material that generates energy with maximum efficiency and minimum environmental impact. -
F
Food
Preventing fungi, parasites and other similar infections in vines can be a headache if classic methods such as the Bordeaux mixture are not used. It is an antimicrobial mixture of copper sulphate and slaked lime used as a fungicide. -
G
Gourmet
In the kitchens, great chefs like cooking with copper pans because it is a metal with great advantages: even distribution of all the heat inside the pan, helps preserve the natural colour of the food and the pans do not rust and ensure no bacterias are spread. -
H
Hygiene
Copper is the only metal certified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency of the United States) as a bactericide. It is a metal capable of removing 99.9% of bacteria within just two hours. There is no doubt, therefore, that copper protects us from the spread of germs when used for frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, switches, taps, etc.) Is the best choice. -
I
Installer
In our homes, there are a lot of pipes along which water, gas, heating, air conditioning, etc. circulates. If this installation is made of copper pipes, you will have a strong, durable installation that is both ecological and cost-effective. -
J
Royal Jelly
The queen bee is one of the privileged bees that can feed on royal jelly throughout their lives. This is a highly nourishing food that contains not only water and vitamins, but also a large number of minerals, such as copper. -
K
Kýros
Copper (Cuprum in Latin and Kypros in Greek) is a red metal that is characterised as a major electricity conductor. It was one of the first metals used by humans in prehistoric times and became so important that historians have name a period of history the Copper Age. -
L
Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, an emblematic point in the city of New York, was a gift from the French people to the United States in 1885. It consists of 300 pieces of copper that were mounted on an iron structure. It took 25 years for the statue to be covered with that unique greenish colour that protects it from ageing. Since 1984, is has been considered World Heritage by UNESCO. -
M
Money
Before the existence of money, our ancestors exchanged property through copper objects. Once coins and banknotes were invented as objects of exchange, copper was not lost because, for example, Euro coins are made of copper alloy. -
N
Nanotechnology
When copper is observed on a very small scale, in this case working with atoms and molecules, properties very different from those shown on a macroscale can be observed. Therefore, if you look at a piece of pure copper at nano level, you will see that this metal has just one electron in its outer shell that makes it an excellent conductor. -
O
Ornamental
Gold is mostly an alloy of 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts of another metal, such as copper. This reason for this combination is to obtain a product with mechanical qualities that pure gold does not possess, such as rigidity, solidity, colour, etc. This alloy is what we know as 18 carat gold. -
P
Pipes
Copper pipes can be used for the conveyance of water, gas, heating, air conditioning, among others. These are reliable, versatile, multi-purpose, antimicrobial and protect our health and homes. -
Q
Quality
In all public buildings, especially in hospitals, it is essential to prevent the spread of infections. The US Environmental Protection Agency certifies copper as the first and only metal with antimicrobial properties, which is why it recommends using this metal for contact surfaces. Its use is obviously ideal in operating theatres and many hospitals are taking advantage of its efficiency. -
R
Recyclable
Copper is a ubiquitous metal in our daily life: technological apparatus, electrical appliances, pipes in houses, food, cars and aeroplanes, etc. Because it is 100% recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without ever losing its properties, it is a metal for the present, past and future ... while helping to preserve the environment. -
S
Surviving history
At the end of the 18th century, Napoleon offered a great prize to the person who succeeded in finding a way to preserve food for longer, which led to the creation of the tin can. It has survived wars, crises and new market trends. It has now been around for over 200 years and copper has played an active part in its history by providing the wire used for welding the can. -
T
Trains
Traditional to high-speed trains, trams and underground trains move throughout the world thanks to a system made using copper. The catenary, based on copper strands and wires, is responsible for generating electrical power to operate the locomotive. This technology uses large amounts of copper, .e.g 25 tons of copper are used for every km of railway line. -
U
Unique
Copper is the only metal essential for the life of human beings that enables our brain and nervous system to function properly, protects cells from oxidative destruction, helps our immune system to become stronger and also helps our skin to become more radiant thanks to its role in producing collagen and melanin. -
V
Vehicle (electric)
Electric vehicles are equipped with an electric engine as the primary source of propulsion and have a much higher copper content than today's conventional vehicles, which contain around 25 kg of copper and copper alloys. -
W
Watt
The electrical power to appliances is expressed in watts. Wind power, for example, draws on a large amount of copper to function. A wind turbine may need about 5 tons of copper daily to generate 16,450 watts, enough power to meet the needs of 5,000 households. -
X
Xylophone
The xylophone is a percussion instrument like many others of its family and wind instruments use copper to take advantage of the extended vibration that occurs due to the copper, brass or bronze of their components. -
Y
Yachting
The external structures of many yachts, boats or any water are lined with copper sheet because this metal is resistant to corrosion and is unaffected by salt water, which are essential properties for them to withstand unexpected weather at high sea. -
Z
Zinc
The brass found in doorknobs and in certain musical instruments is a copper and zinc alloy. Its yellowish colour, very similar to gold, makes it a very popular material for jewellery, also known as costume jewellery, or decorative elements. The proportion of zinc and copper varies according to the properties required, but is around 20-80 respectively.