Copper continues to be one of the most critical materials in the world, even if some of us don’t realize it. Learning what industries copper is the most prevalent in shows that copper is paving the way everywhere we look.
Machinery
Since copper is one of the strongest materials, it makes sense that we use it for building industrial machinery and equipment. Corrosion-resistant copper alloys are essential resources in building subsea infrastructure, such as desalination equipment and offshore oil and gas drilling rigs. Furthermore, copper’s cleantech metal status originates from its use as a raw element to produce windmill turbines and solar energy systems.
Transportation
We rely heavily on copper in the transportation industry, as it’s an integral part of the production of ships, railroad cars, airplanes, and vehicles.
Rivets, condenser pipes, and propellers are some of the many shipbuilding staples constructed from copper alloys. Electric and signal systems, motors, brakes, and controls, are some of the numerous places you’ll find this metal in the railroad business. And the airline industry couldn’t survive without copper being a part of numerous aircraft-building components.
Another massive consumer sector that depends on copper is the rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry. Electric vehicles need twice as much copper as regular cars since the amount of copper used in EV charging stations is substantial.
Electrical Devices
Copper is the best and most cost-effective metal for electronic equipment due to its high electrical conductivity and availability. Most modern consumer electronics, from mobile phones and laptops to televisions, security systems, power tools, and robot vacuum cleaners, include copper in electrical wire and printed circuit boards.
Medical
The medical area is another area that depends on copper. However, it’s a much smaller market, with the antibacterial properties of copper being the driving force behind it. Since copper disrupts the electrical charge in microbial cell membranes, bacteria can’t thrive for long on a copper surface. Copper or copper alloys are replacing plastic and other metals on regularly-handled surfaces and products, allowing hospitals to reduce the spread of hospital-acquired illnesses.
Construction
Copper is a flexible material that we can shape and form into the bonds and connections required in electrical wiring. You can find copper in various contexts, including plumbing, air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilation. Copper wires supply power and connect your home to the outside world through your phone and cable, which is why many people prefer copper wiring over aluminum.
The world would cease to exist in the way it does now without copper being prevalent in multiple industries. By seeing how important it is in our lives, you can better appreciate this precious metal.