Copper is one of the most recycled metals in the country. This is because copper has qualities that make it ideal for diverse applications. The metal conducts heat and electricity, which makes it very handy in the home. It resembles gold in colour and does not corrode easily, which is why it is common to find it in jewellery. The best quality that copper has is that it can be recycled completely without losing any part of its quality. Here are some of the most common uses of recycled copper.
Making Electronics
As mentioned, copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. This is because copper has very little electrical resistance. The only metal that has better electrical conductivity than copper is silver. Copper is, therefore, mainly used in the inside of electronics and underground cables. However, it is not normal to have it on overhead cables. Electricians prefer using aluminium for this application because it is less dense. However, you will find recycled copper in all types of electronics and home appliances.
Antimicrobial Functions
Copper is biostatic; this is a quality that seems to have been discovered long before the 19th century when microbes became common knowledge. People working in the medical field had already discovered that when copper came into contact with surfaces that had microbes, germs died. Today, it is used in a lot of anti-biofouling applications. One of the main applications of this property is in the creation of fishing equipment, such as fishing nets. The copper in the nest kills algae, viruses and bacteria that come from water, lengthening the life of the nets.
Building and Architecture
The other common application of recycled copper is in architecture. Copper is relatively more lightweight than most of the other metals used in construction. It also has high lightning protection properties and low thermal movement. It is common to find the metal on roofs, gutters, downspouts, flashings and vaults. Copper is also used to make lightning arresters in areas which are prone to strikes of lightning.
Copper is a valuable metal. Its cost is better than that of many other scrap metals because it is one of the easiest to recycle. If you have scrap copper lying around, do not discard it. You can find organisations that do recycling and get some extra cash for it. By recycling the scrap metal, you will be conserving the environment by reducing carbon emissions made during the ore extraction process. You will also be conserving energy and preserving copper ore while getting some extra cash.
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