One of the earliest materials that has been used by humans for many thousands of years is copper. Since humans have first started to use tools and materials to build, farm and create art with copper has been a material of great usefulness.
Despite the fact that copper was used by our earliest ancestors and the fact that modern technology has moved on so much it is still a valuable material that has a variety of uses today.
From copper pipe like this https://watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems that can be used in plumbing and heating systems, to copper wiring that is used for electrical cables, copper is a big part of all of our lives.
Copper has many properties that make it so useful to us and give it such a broad range of applications. Firstly, it is a fantastic conductor of both heat and electricity. This is why it is found in most electrical devices, as well as in cooking utensils. Copper pots and pans are highly regarded by chefs because of this, as well as the fact that copper has another amazing property – it is antibacterial.
The ability of copper to reduce the growth of bacteria means that this is another reason that it is handy in the kitchen. It can also be used to help protect wood as it also prevents fungi from forming. Copper compounds are used to treat materials to protect them from bacteria.
Copper is also a strong metal, so this makes it reliable for use in many extreme conditions as it is resistant to temperature changes and won’t become brittle and damaged. From your boiler to spacecraft, this is another reason why copper is chosen for certain parts that need to endure these temperature changes.
Despite being tough, copper is an easy metal to work with and therefore it is useful in joinery too and for pipework that needs to be able to fit a particular shape or size.
Last of all we should also not forget how beautiful copper is. As well as the practical uses for it, copper has also long been prized as a metal for making beautiful jewellery, and still is today. The ancient Egyptians made many items of jewellery from copper, and because it is resistant to corrosion much of it has survived to this day.
