Copper is a metal that has been used for hundreds of years in many different forms. It is most often used now in plumbing pipes, Copper Pipe Connectors like the ones that you can get from watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems/ and in electrical cable. There are many reasons that copper is chosen for these items including the fact that it isn’t affected by corrosion as the metal creates its own blue-green patina that covers the outside of the pipe and protects it from rust and corrosion.
Here are some interesting facts about copper that you might not be aware of.
Atomic symbol – all metals and non-metals have an atomic symbol and number and are placed in the Periodic Table. This is a universal table that is used across the world for scientists and others to identify the items that it contains. It was set up as a way to catalogue all the elements that have been found. The elements are arranged in groups and as new discoveries are made the element is added to the bottom row of the table in its relevant grouping section.Copper has the atomic symbol of Cu and the atomic number of 29.
Heat resistant – one of the reasons that copper is used in electrical items and in the creation of plumbing pipes is that it is incredibly heat resistant. The melting point of the metal is an incredible 1084.62 degrees Celsius. This makes it the perfect metal for using in situations where temperatures are going to be high.
Recycling – another key benefit of copper is the fact that it can be easily and fully recycled. During the recycling process it does not lose any of its existing qualities which means it can be used over and over it again. It therefore makes for an incredible sustainable metal.
Alloys – when you mix two metals together or you mix a metal and a nonmetal you create an alloy. If you mix copper together with zinc you create brass. This is another metal that has been used a lot through the ages. Alloys retain some of the positive benefits of their original metals which means that metals can be mixed to create even stronger and resistant metals.