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COPPER FACTS

The chemical symbol Cu and name copper are from the Latin cuprum, a corruption of 'aes Cypruim', meaning 'metal from Cyprus', one of the earliest and most important sources of copper in the Mediterranean.

Its beauty makes it highly desirable for making ornaments and jewellery due to copper's red colour and bright metallic lustre.

Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. Half of the world's copper production goes into electrical applications.

Copper is very ductile and can be drawn into thin wires - ideal for electrical cables.

Copper is very malleable and can be beaten into thin sheets without fracturing.

A good heat conductor, copper is used for thin-walled copper tubing in air conditioning and refrigeration units, motor vehicle radiators and home heating systems.

Copper's corrosion resistance and ease with which it can be joined make it suitable for plumbing fittings and water reticulation systems, automotive fuel lines, hydraulic systems and equipment used in and near the sea.

Copper alloys are very important, as many are harder, stronger, and tougher than their individual components. Alloys with tin (bronze) and zinc (brass) are still in common use today. Copper is also used in coins in most countries.

Copper compounds have a variety of important uses. Copper oxide (CuO) is used as a fungicide and dye pigment. Copper sulphate (CuSO4) is used to kill harmful algae for water purification and as a trace element in fertilisers. 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 termites.

Copper is an essential element in the growth and survival of most animals and plants.