chemical supply pure copper cathode plate

The ability to beat copper into sheets and its resistance to rusting made it a popular roofing material on important buildings. It was used to make weapons, armour, tools and decorations tools¿thus began the Copper-Bronze Age. Although the manufacture of bronze tools largely fell into disuse with the onset of the Iron Age about 1000 BC, copper continued to be used for its other properties. As one of only two coloured metals, its beauty makes it highly desirable for making ornaments and its resistance to corrosion makes it suitable for use in, or near the sea. There is evidence that copper was used from early times, a piece of copper tubing used 5000 years ago was unearthed by archaeologists from the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. Around 4000 BC, bronze (an even harder alloy) was discovered by mixing copper with a small amount of tin. Its beautiful colour also made copper attractive for use in jewellery and ornaments. In this way, they could shape copper into various useful items such as containers and utensils¿a big leap forward for the human race. Early coppersmiths in Iran found that heating copper softened it and hammering copper made it harder. Source: Wikimedia CommonsĬopper was the first metal used by people. It was discovered by Neolithic Man about 9000 years ago and used in place of stone, as it was far easier to shape. Old copper utensils displayed in a Jerusalem restaurant. It is also used for decorative pieces, from light fittings to taps and instruments for astronomy, surveying, navigation and other scientific purposes. Many musical instruments are made from brass. The earliest bronzes were natural alloys derived from mineral deposits which also contained tin.īrass (70% copper, 30% zinc) is particularly rust-resistant and so is used to make the hulls of sailing boats and other marine hardware. It is also ideal for the base of cooking pots.Ĭopper sulphate is used to kill algal blooms in water reservoirs, to protect timber, to stop plant roots from blocking rains and sewerage systems and to kill insects.Ĭopper production was boosted in the 1950s and 1960s by the need for copper-based fertilisers to aid crop growth in previously unproductive land.īronze (90% copper, 10% tin) is used for statues and bearings in car engines and heavy machinery. The use of copper in water pipes dates back to the ancient Egyptians and the Romans.Ĭopper's ability to conduct heat means it is used for car radiators, air conditioners, home heating systems and boilers to produce steam. The alloy 'cupronickel', a mixture of 75% copper and 25% nickel, is used for making 'silver' coins such as the Australian 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent pieces. Australia's $1 and $2 coins are 92% copper, mixed with aluminium and nickel.Īs copper does not rust easily and can be easily joined, it is useful for making water pipes (and hydraulic systems). Source: Geoscience Australia UseĪs copper is ductile and a great conductor, its main use is in electric generators, household/car electrical wiring, and the wires in appliances, computers, lights, motors, telephone cables, radios and TVs. There is about 15 grams of copper in a mobile phone and recently copper has been replacing aluminium in computer chips.Ĭomputer circuit boards containing copper. Its malleability means that copper pipes can be bent to go round corners easily, without breaking.Ĭopper sulphate is used as a fungicide to stop plant roots from blocking drains and sewerage systems. The blue-green colour of treated timber is the result of copper naphthanate and copper-chrome-arsenate which have been introduced under pressure to help protect the wood from borers.Ĭopper is also used for making coins and scientific instruments as well as in decorative applications.

Copper also conducts heat well, so it is used in motor vehicle radiators, air-conditioners and home heating systems.Īs copper does not corrode easily it is also used for water pipes. Today copper, because it is such a good conductor of electricity, is used in electrical generators and motors for electrical wiring and in electronic goods, such as radios and TVs. Most commonly found as chalcopyrite, CuFeS 2 Copper and brass are easily recycled¿perhaps 70% of the copper now in use has been recycled at least once.Ĭu, from the Latin word 'cuprum', which means 'ore of Cyprus'. Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper and brass is an alloy of zinc and copper. It is easily mixed with other metals to form alloys such as bronze and brass. It is also very malleable and ductile. Copper is also resistant to corrosion (it does not rust very easily).

Like gold and silver, copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. Source: Geoscience AustraliaĬopper is the only naturally occurring metal other than gold that has a distinctive colour.

Chemical supply pure copper cathode plate