Copper Facts

Copper the Metal

Copper Fact 1

Copper is a mineral and an element essential to our everyday lives. It is a major industrial metal because of its high ductility, malleability, thermal and electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It is an essential nutrient in our daily diet. And, its antimicrobial property is becoming increasingly important to the prevention of infection. It ranks third after iron and aluminum in terms of quantities consumed in the USA.

Copper Fact 2

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that every American born in 2008 will use 1,309 pounds of copper during their lifetime for necessities, lifestyles and health.

Copper Fact 3

Known land-based resources of copper are estimated to be 1.6 billion metric tons of copper (USGS, 2004). United States copper production largely comes from deposits in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada and Montana. Twenty mines account for about 99% of production.

Copper Fact 4

Copper is element number 29 on the Periodic Table of Elements. It is considered a semi-precious, nonferrous, malleable metal with many hundreds of applications in the areas of electricity and electronics, plumbing, building construction and architecture, industry, transportation, and consumer and health products.

Copper Fact 5

Pure copper's melting point is 1,981°F (1,083°C, 1356°K). Its most important properties include superior heat transfer, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Copper Fact 6

Copper is easily alloyed with other metals. Currently, there are more than 570 copper alloys listed with the American Society for Testing and Materials International. They are identified by numbers preceded by a "C" and are assigned and reviewed by the Copper Development Association for ASTM. More than 350 of them have been acknowledged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as antimicrobial.*