Copper Uses in Industry

In the United States, approximately 20 mines located throughout Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Montana account for roughly 99 percent of domestic copper production, but that represents only a fraction of the world’s need for copper. This demand highlights the diverse copper uses in industry, which range from construction to electronics.

When alloyed with nickel, zinc, tin, and other elements, copper provides the foundation for more than 400 copper alloys, with brass being the most widely used and least expensive copper alloy. These copper alloys are essential components in industrial machinery, electrical systems, and more.

Pure copper such as C10100 (oxygen-free electronic), C10200 (oxygen-free), and C11000 (electrolytic tough pitch) are three of the grades most widely used in industrial applications in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Physical and Chemical Properties Reveal How Copper Is Used in Industry

A unique combination of properties makes copper suitable for a wide range of applications in local San Francisco Bay Area industries, from high-tech operations to one-of-a-kind designer jewelry. Some of these properties and their applicable uses are described below.

Electrical Conductivity in Copper Applications

High ductility and electrical conductivity make copper acceptable for use in electrical conductors, electrical wiring, switches, transformers, and telecommunications equipment. This electrical conductivity also plays a significant role in copper wire and copper wiring within cable networks and electrical grids.

High Thermal Conductivity in Copper

High thermal conductivity works exceptionally with heat exchangers, heat sinks, cookware, and kitchen appliances. Copper tubing and copper tubes are particularly effective in HVAC systems and heat pumps, where high thermal conductivity is essential.

Antimicrobial Properties of Copper

Copper surfaces with antimicrobial properties are suitable for use in frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, railings, handrails, and jewelry. These copper surfaces are not only functional but also help reduce bacterial spread, making replacing hospital surfaces with copper metal a growing trend.

Corrosion Resistance in Copper

Corrosion resistance is ideal for use in roofing, spouting, architectural accents, signage, lighting, landscape fixtures, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom sinks, countertops, distillation apparatus, and sculptures. This good corrosion resistance is particularly beneficial in the railway industry and for solar energy systems.

Copper is utilized in many of the products and parts that we use daily, and energy and economic developments will continue to drive increased demand for copper. Global copper consumption is expected to rise significantly due to the growth in clean energy industries and electric vehicles.

Increased Demand for Copper Used in Clean Energy Industries

As the United States transitions to cleaner power sources, better energy storage technologies, and increased use of electric vehicles, the demand for (and the price of) copper will surely increase. 

Already, the average car contains approximately one mile of copper wire, and a hybrid vehicle may contain as much as 100 pounds or more of copper. This use of copper in electrical motors and electrical systems highlights the essential role copper plays in modern technology.

Alternative and clean power research will discover many additional copper uses as the industry grows, from clean power generation that requires new infrastructure to a vast distribution network that will supply clean energy for a myriad of new uses.

Copper in Coinage and Semiconductor Manufacturing

Delving into the diverse uses of copper, one can’t help but admire how this versatile raw material has been a cornerstone in various industries. 

Copper alloys, integral to our daily lives, find their way into everyday items like coins. That jingle in your pocket? It’s likely thanks to copper alloys!

Beyond just coinage, copper plays a pivotal role as a raw material in the high-tech world of semiconductor manufacturing. This is where the efficiency of copper wiring really shines through.

Imagine the complex circuitry in your favorite gadgets—from smartphones to laptops. Copper wiring ensures their smooth and efficient operation. 

The reason is simple: copper’s supreme electrical conductivity. This not only makes copper wire a practical choice but also a cost-effective one.

Semiconductor manufacturers are increasingly relying on copper wire in silicon chips. Why? Because it allows microprocessors to operate faster and use less energy, making your devices more efficient and eco-friendly. Printed circuit boards also benefit greatly from copper’s electrical conductivity.

Copper in Medical Applications

The medical field, too, has embraced the use of copper, especially for its antimicrobial properties. Hospitals and healthcare settings are increasingly using copper surfaces and copper alloys to fight against the spread of infections.

Surfaces we frequently touch, like doorknobs and handrails, are now crafted from copper metal and copper alloys. This is not just for their aesthetic appeal but for a very critical function: a copper surface can kill off a vast majority of bacteria in a matter of hours.

But it’s not just about copper surfaces. Copper tubing and copper wires are also making their way into medical equipment. The reason? Copper’s unique ability to fight against bacteria and viruses. This makes copper tubes an excellent choice for medical applications where hygiene is paramount.

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A Unique Approach to Supplying Copper Used in Local Industries

Copper is used extensively by San Francisco Bay Area manufacturers, fabricators, and welders for many of the applications mentioned above. To meet production requirements, many of these companies purchase significant quantities of copper plate and bar stock sourced directly from national mills.

In many cases, copper remnants left over from a manufacturing process are too small for any further use by the manufacturer. However, these remnants are of suitable size for use by other shops that don’t require standard-sized copper plate or bar stock.

As an established metal supply and recycling company in the San Francisco Bay Area, we’re a key link in the local copper supply chain. We’ve recycled tons of copper for local businesses, and we play a unique role in helping them realize the maximum value from their copper supply.

Instead of following the traditional recycling process (recycle bin to recycler to mill for remelting and recasting), these usable copper remnants are picked up and taken to the warehouse, where they are trimmed to standard shapes and sizes.

These high-quality copper remnants are available for purchase at a significant discount compared to new copper.

Copper Cut-to-Size Meets Smaller Shop Demands

Many smaller machine and fabrication shops, as well as most designers and hobbyists who regularly use copper in their production processes, don’t have space or financial resources for an industrial metal saw to cut copper to the required dimensions before machining or custom fabrication. 

A supplier that can provide copper cut-to-size makes it easy for these shops and individuals to transform copper into finished products.

Copper Alloys and Their Industrial Applications

This table provides a quick overview of various copper alloys, highlighting their unique properties and where they are most commonly used in industry.

Copper Recycling to Meet Your Production Schedule and Volume

Copper is one of the most frequently and easily recycled metals. There’s always demand for recycled copper, so any unusable scraps or chips from machining or fabrication processes have monetary value when recycled. Metal suppliers who also provide recycling services can simplify your operations. Metal supply delivery can be coordinated with scrap metal pickup. The best recycling companies can customize recycling receptacles to fit chip conveyors and provide a range of containers, from standard 55-gallon barrels to roll-off services to meet your recycling volumes.