Today, life without copper is unimaginable. Not only copper has a very special function in life, but this valuable metal has been used by humans since the distant past. It can be argued that copper is one of the oldest metals used by mankind. Copper is extracted by different methods. It may be interesting to know that copper is also found in metal form. Sometimes copper can be found in nature with a purity of nearly 99%. Also, copper is extracted from sulfur and oxide ores. Moreover, copper is found almost abundantly in different parts of the globe. During this article, we intend to learn about the industrial applications of this valuable metal after getting acquainted with copper and its extraction methods.
How is copper extracted from the mine?
The process of extracting copper from its ores includes physical, chemical and electrochemical operations. Since copper and its ore are found in different form across regions of the world, in each country according to its environmental and mineral conditions, extraction may be done by a different method. In many areas, copper ore is extracted by digging deep into the earth’s crust and splitting rocks. Sometimes explosives may be used to reach these resources. After the extraction of copper ore, the copper separation operation can be started.
Copper is mostly present in oxide ores, meaning that copper has combined with oxygen to form copper oxide. To separate copper, a mixture of copper and carbon dioxide can be obtained by adding carbon and heating it. Another method is the use of. Of course, this method requires a lot of electricity, which definitely makes the process expensive. Sulfuric ore usually goes through its chemical process by heat to obtain copper metal.
What is the use of copper in industry?
Copper is the third metal used by humans. The reason for this is, firstly, copper metal is not rare, and secondly, the special properties of copper make it suitable for various industrial uses, such as electronics and electrical industry, home appliance industry, transportation, construction, etc. On the other hand, copper is one of the metals that is a conductor of electricity and heat. For this reason, it is widely used in industries such as electronics.
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Medical industry
Although copper is considered an almost new phenomenon in medicine, this does not reduce its importance. Today, it has been proven that bacteria cannot survive on the surface of copper. It is almost certain that 92% of the bacteria on the copper surface will be killed after two hours. For this reason, in recent years, there have been good uses for copper in the medical industry.
Industrial machinery
Copper is one of the metals used in the construction of industrial equipment and machinery. For example, refinery equipment, such as transmission pipes, are made of copper. Also, valves, transmission lines and many machines of these sets are made of copper. On the other hand, copper has a very good resistance to rust, so it seems very suitable for making equipment that is used underwater.
Transportation industry
Since the advent of modern vehicles, copper has a special place in the transportation industry. For example, copper is used in making car wires, radiators, engines and connectors. In addition, the electronic and hydraulic systems of the car depend on copper. In shipbuilding, many parts are made of copper to prevent rusting. Sea water is very corrosive due to its high amount of salt; therefore, copper can be a very suitable option for making ship parts. Today, copper is widely used in the construction of electric cars. On average, twice as much copper is used in the construction of electric cars as in conventional ones.
Electronics Industry
It is no secret that copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. For this reason, you have probably noticed that most electrical cables are made of copper strands. Although copper is not the most conductive material available to humans, the cost-quality ratio of copper has made it a very suitable option for use in the electronics industry. Copper is widely used in making wires and cables as well as traces of electronic circuits. It is almost impossible to find an electronic device that is not made of copper parts.
Construction Industry
It can be claimed that copper is most widely used in the construction industry. On average, more than 180 kg of copper is used in a house. From building wiring to some pipes and connectors, they are all made of copper. In addition, copper has a very effective strength, therefore it is possible to use it in places that need to withstand high pressure.
Last word
In addition to the reasonable price, copper is very malleable and can be easily formed into very thin sheets or thin wires. Copper is a very good conductor for heat and electricity, so it has been widely used in the electronics industry. If cooling is needed for electronic parts, aluminum and copper can be used concurrently. For this reason, this metal is used in car radiators and electronic chip coolers. Unlike steel, for which alternatives in industries have been found, copper can still be viewed as last resort for industrialists in some industries and has maintained its value.
