Copper and its alloys are extensively used in a wide range of products that play a vital role in our everyday lives. They offer excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, good strength and formability, outstanding resistance to corrosion and fatigue, and are generally nonmagnetic. These metals can be easily soldered and brazed, and many are weldable using various gas, arc, and resistance welding methods. Additionally, copper and its alloys can be polished and buffed to achieve nearly any desired texture and luster.

Pure copper is widely used for electrical wiring, cables, electrical contacts, and other components requiring efficient conduction of electricity. Copper, along with certain brasses, bronzes, and copper-nickel alloys, finds extensive application in automotive radiators, heat exchangers, home heating systems, solar collectors, and other devices requiring rapid heat conduction across metal sections.

Due to their exceptional corrosion resistance, copper, brasses, bronzes, and copper-nickels are commonly used for pipes, valves, and fittings in systems carrying potable water, process water, industrial gases, and other aqueous fluids.

Furthermore, copper alloys are uniquely suited for environments where minimizing bacterial contamination on frequently touched surfaces is critical. With the ability to kill 99.9% of bacteria within two hours, over 280 copper alloys have been granted public health registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This recognition highlights copper’s ongoing antimicrobial properties, which help reduce infection-causing bacteria on surfaces in hospitals, schools, offices, and other public spaces between regular cleanings.