1. Copper Alloy: Refers to pure copper, including grades such as Oxygen-Free Copper, Phosphorus Deoxidized Copper, and Silver Copper.
Copper Brass: Refers to alloys based on copper and zinc, which can be further divided into simple copper brass and complex copper brass. Complex copper brass includes varieties named after the third element, such as nickel brass, silicon brass, etc.
3. Bronze: Refers to copper-based alloys other than copper-nickel and copper-zinc alloys, mainly including tin bronze, aluminum bronze, and special bronze (also known as high-copper alloys).
4. Beryllium Copper: Refers to copper-nickel alloys.
1. Power Transmission: Large quantities of highly conductive copper are required for power transmission, primarily used in power cables, busbars, transformers, switches, connectors, and terminal blocks, etc.
2. Electric Machine Manufacturing: In electric machine manufacturing, high-conductivity and high-strength copper alloys are widely used. The main copper components include stators, rotors, and shaft ends, etc.
3. Communication Cables: Since the 1980s, due to the advantages of fiber optic cables such as high current capacity, they have continuously replaced copper cables in communication trunk lines and have been rapidly promoted and applied. However, converting electrical energy into light energy and the lines feeding the customers still require a large amount of copper. With the development of the communication industry, people's dependence on communication is increasing, and the demand for both fiber optic cables and copper wires will continue to rise.
4. Residential electrical wiring
5. Electron Vacuum Devices: Electron vacuum devices primarily include high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency tubes, waveguides, magnetrons, etc., which require high-purity oxygen-free copper and dispersion-strengthened oxygen-free copper.
6. Printed Circuit Boards: Copper printed circuit boards involve using copper foil as the surface, bonded to a plastic board that serves as the support. The circuit layout is then photographically transferred onto the copper foil. Excess material is removed through etching, leaving the interconnected circuits. Holes are punched in the printed circuit board at points for external connections, where the terminals of discrete components or other parts are inserted and soldered in place, completing the assembly of the entire circuit.
7. Integrated Circuit
8. Wire Frame: Copper alloys offer low cost with high strength, conductivity, and thermal conductivity, excellent machinability, solderability, and corrosion resistance. Through alloying, their properties can be controlled over a wide range, making them well-suited to meet the performance requirements of wire frames. They have become an important material in wire frames and are currently the most used copper material in microelectronic devices.
9. Energy Industry: Utilizing solar energy also requires a significant amount of copper piping. For instance, a hotel pool near London, UK, equipped with a solar heater can maintain water temperatures between 18~24°C during summer. The solar heater contains 784 pounds (3,56 kg) of copper piping.
10. Petrochemical Industry: Copper and many copper alloys exhibit excellent corrosion resistance in solutions, non-oxidizing acids (such as acetic acid, citric acid, fatty acids, lactic acid, oxalic acid, etc.), various alkalis excluding ammonia, and non-oxidizing organic compounds (such as oils, phenols, alcohols, etc.). Therefore, they are extensively used in the petrochemical industry for manufacturing a variety of equipment such as containers, piping systems, filters, pumps, and valves that come into contact with corrosive media. They are also utilized for their thermal conductivity in the production of evaporators, heat exchangers, and condensers. Due to copper's excellent malleability, it is particularly suitable for manufacturing complex heat exchangers with intricate copper tube interweaving in modern chemical industries. In addition, bronze is commonly used to produce tools in oil refining plants; it is non-sparking upon impact, preventing the occurrence of fires.
11. Marine Industry: As the ocean covers over 70% of the Earth's surface, the rational development and utilization of marine resources are increasingly gaining attention. Seawater contains chloride ions that are prone to corrosion, making many engineering metals like steel, aluminum, and even stainless steel susceptible to seawater corrosion. Additionally, marine organisms can cause fouling on the surfaces of these materials, as well as on non-metals like wood and glass. Copper, however, stands out, not only being resistant to seawater corrosion but also having antibacterial properties from the copper ions dissolved in water, which can prevent fouling by marine organisms. Therefore, copper and copper alloys are crucial materials in the marine industry and are widely used in desalination plants, offshore oil and gas platforms, and other coastal and underwater facilities. This includes pipeline systems, pumps, and valves used in desalination processes, as well as equipment on oil and gas platforms, such as bolts and drilling tools for splash zones and underwater use, anti-fouling covers, pump valves, and pipeline systems. The application of copper and copper alloys in ships will be discussed in the following section.
12. Vessels: Due to their excellent resistance to sea corrosion, many copper alloys such as aluminum bronze, manganese bronze, aluminum brass, gun metal (tin-zinc bronze), white copper, and nickel-copper alloys (Monel alloys) have become standard materials for shipbuilding. Copper and copper alloys generally account for 2% to 3% of the self-weight of commercial vessels. The propellers of most large commercial ships are made from aluminum bronze or brass. The propellers of large ships can weigh between 20 to 25 tons each. The propellers of the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary weigh up to 35 tons each.
13. Automotive: Copper used in vehicles ranges from 10 to 21 kg per car, varying with the type and size of the vehicle, accounting for approximately 6 to 9% of the car's weight in compact cars. Copper and copper alloys are primarily used in radiators, brake system piping, hydraulic equipment, gears, bearings, brake pads, electrical and power distribution systems, washers, as well as various fittings, accessories, and trim. Radiators are the components that use the most copper. Modern tube-fin radiators are made by welding brass strips into radiator tubes and bending thin copper strips into fins.
14. Railways: The electrification of railways requires a significant amount of copper and copper alloys. Over two tons of special-shaped copper wire are needed per kilometer of overhead conductor. To enhance its strength, a small percentage of copper (about 1%) or silver (about X%) is often added. Additionally, the motors, rectifiers, and control, braking, electrical, and signaling systems on trains all rely on copper and copper alloys to function.
15. Aircraft: The operation of aircraft also cannot do without copper. For instance, the wiring, hydraulic, cooling, and pneumatic systems in an aircraft require copper materials. Aluminum bronze tube materials are used for bearing retainers and landing gear bearings. Magnetic resistance copper alloys are applied to navigation instruments, and many instruments use copper elastic elements, etc.
16. Mechanical Engineering: Copper components are almost universally present in all types of machinery. Apart from the extensive use of copper in motors, circuits, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and control systems, there's a vast array of copper alloys like brass and bronze used in transmission and fastening parts such as gears, worm gears, worm shafts, connectors, fasteners, twist joints, screws, nuts, etc.
17. Metallurgical Equipment: The metallurgical industry is a major consumer of electrical power, often referred to as "the power industry." In the construction of metallurgical plants, it is typically necessary to have a large-scale transmission and distribution system, as well as power operation equipment, that rely on copper for operation. Additionally, in fire metallurgy, continuous casting technology has taken a leading position, with the key component, the crystallizer, mostly made of high-strength and high thermal conductivity copper alloys like chrome copper and silver copper. In electro-metallurgy, vacuum arc furnaces and electroslag furnace water-cooled crucibles are manufactured using copper tubing. Various induction heating coils are wound from copper tubing or special-shaped copper tubing, with water circulation for cooling.
18. Alloy Additives: Copper is an important additive element in alloys such as steel and aluminum. The addition of a small amount of copper (0.2~0.5%) to low-alloy structural steel can enhance the steel's strength and resistance to atmospheric and marine corrosion. Adding copper to corrosion-resistant cast iron and stainless steel can further improve their corrosion resistance. High-nickel alloys containing about 30% copper, known as "Monel alloys," are known for their high strength and corrosion resistance and are widely used in the nuclear industry.
19. Air Conditioners and Refrigeration Units: The temperature control function of air conditioners and refrigeration units is primarily achieved through the evaporation and condensation of copper tubes in the heat exchangers. The size and thermal conductivity of the heat exchange tubes greatly determine the overall efficiency and miniaturization of the air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These machines utilize high thermal conductivity non-standard copper tubes. By utilizing the excellent machinability of copper, we have developed and produced heat exchange tubes with internal grooves and high fins, which are used to manufacture heat exchangers for air conditioners, refrigeration units, chemical industries, and waste heat recovery systems. This improves the overall thermal conductivity coefficient of the new heat exchangers to 2-3 times that of ordinary tubes and 1.2-1.3 times that of ordinary low fin tubes. These are already in use domestically, saving 40% of copper and reducing the volume of the heat exchangers by over one-third.
20. Watches: The watches, timers, and devices with watch mechanisms currently produced, the majority of which are manufactured using "Watch Brass." This alloy contains 1.5-2% lead, boasts good workability, and is suitable for mass production.
21. Papermaking: In today's ever-changing information society, paper consumption is significant. While paper appears simple on the surface, the papermaking process is actually quite complex, involving numerous steps and a variety of machines, such as coolers, evaporators, pulpers, and paper machines. Many components, including various heat exchangers, roller wheels, striking bars, semi-liquid pumps, and screens, are mostly made of steel alloys.
22. Printing: Photogravure is used in the printing process. The polished copper plate is sensitized with light-sensitive gelatin and then a photographic image is formed on it. The sensitized copper plate needs to be heated to harden the gelatin. To prevent softening upon heating, a small amount of silver or arsenic is often added to the copper to increase the softening temperature. Subsequently, the plate is etched to create a printing surface with a pattern of raised and recessed dots. On automatic typesetting machines, type blocks made of leaded brass are arranged to create the plate, which is another important use of copper in printing. The type blocks are usually made of leaded brass, and sometimes copper or bronze.
23. Brewing: Copper plays a significant role in the world of beer brewing. It is commonly used for the interior lining of malt vats and fermentation tanks. Some breweries have over a dozen large vats, each with a capacity exceeding 20,000 gallons. In fermentation tanks, water-cooled steel pipes are often used for cooling. Steel pipes are also used to heat the beer during brewing with steam and to transport the liquid. For distilling whiskey and other spirits, steel distillation pots are typically used. Whiskey malt requires two distillations, necessitating two large copper distillation pots.
24. Industrial: Pure copper is used for all kinds of steam, boiling, and vacuum equipment. Copper alloys are also commonly used in eyeglass frames, etc.
25. Pipe Systems: Copper piping offers numerous advantages such as aesthetic appeal, durability, ease of installation, safety, fire resistance, and hygiene, making it distinctly superior in terms of price-performance ratio compared to galvanized steel pipes and plastic pipes.
26. Roofing and Home Renovation: The use of steel in roofing and eaves is a traditional practice in Europe, and even in Nordic countries, it's used for wall decorations. Copper boasts excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, durability, and recyclability. Its good workability allows for the creation of complex shapes and it comes in attractive colors, making it ideal for home renovations. Its application on the roofs of ancient buildings like churches has a long history and still shines brightly today; its use in modern large-scale constructions, including apartments and residential buildings, is also increasing. For instance, the "Commonwealth Building" in London, a symbol of modern British architectural art, has a complex roof structure made of steel, weighing approximately 25 tons; the Crystal Palace Sports Center, opened in 1966, features a wave-shaped roof made of 60 tons of steel, etc. Statistics show that the average annual consumption of copper sheets for roofing in Germany is 0.8 kg per person, while in the U.S., it's 0.2 kg. Moreover, interior renovations such as door handles, locks, blinds, balusters, lighting fixtures, wall decorations, and kitchenware, all made of steel, are not only durable and hygienic but also add an elegant touch, making them popular among consumers.
27. Statues and Craftworks: No metal in the world is as widely used in the production of various craftworks as steel, which has been enduring and popular throughout history. In today's urban construction, a multitude of memorials, bells, cauldrons, sculptures, Buddha figures, antique replicas, and more, all extensively employ cast copper alloys. Modern musical instruments, such as flutes made of white steel and saxophones made of brass, also require various copper alloys. Exquisite gold-plated and gold/silver-plated jewelry, offering great value for their price, are also produced using a variety of copper alloys.
28. Currency: Since the ancestors of humanity began using coins, copper and copper alloys have been used to manufacture them, passed down through generations to the present day. With the development of modern coin-operated activities such as public telephones, transportation, and shopping, the demand for coin-making steel has only increased. In the application of copper coins, in addition to changing sizes, it is convenient to use different alloy compositions and alter alloy colors to produce and differentiate various denominations. Common types include "silver" coins containing 25% nickel, brass coins containing 20% zinc and 1% tin, and "copper" coins with a small amount of tin (3%) and zinc (1.5%). Worldwide, the production of copper coins annually consumes thousands of tons of copper. Just the Royal Mint in London produces 700 million copper coins each year, requiring approximately 7,000 tons of metal.
29. Chinese Computers: Information Technology is the pioneer of high-tech. It relies on the crystallization of modern human wisdom - the computer, a tool that processes and handles information that is ever-changing and vast. The heart of the computer consists of a microprocessor (including the arithmetic unit and controller) and memory. These basic components (hardware) are large-scale integrated circuits, which are tiny chips packed with millions of interconnected transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other elements to perform rapid numerical and logical operations, as well as massive information storage. These integrated circuits must be assembled with lead frames and printed circuit boards to function. As seen in the chapter "Applications in the Electronic Industry," copper and copper alloys are not only important materials in lead frames, solder, and printed circuit boards; they also play a crucial role in the interconnection of the tiny components in integrated circuits.
30. Superconductivity and Low Temperature: Generally, the resistance of materials (except for semiconductors) decreases with the drop in temperature. When the temperature is extremely low, the resistance of certain materials can completely vanish, a phenomenon known as superconductivity. The temperature at which superconductivity occurs is referred to as the superconducting critical temperature of the material. The discovery of superconductivity has opened up a new realm for the utilization of electricity. Since resistance is zero, a very small voltage can produce an extremely large (theoretically infinite) current, generating immense magnetic fields and forces; or, when current passes through it, there is no voltage drop and no energy loss. Clearly, its practical applications are expected to bring about significant changes in human production and living, and it has garnered considerable attention.
31. Agricultural and Pastoral Application: Steel compounds are effective bactericidal pesticides for eliminating pests and diseases, controlling all diseases caused by molds or fungi. In addition to direct copper dips for seeds, copper salt mixtures are commonly used in orchards and farmlands. Notable ones include Bordeaux mixture (limed copper solution), named after the French vineyards, and Buggundy mixture (soda copper solution), as well as other fungicides like Benlate.
32. High Energy Physics: Unveiling the mysteries of matter structure is a major fundamental issue that scientists have been pursuing tirelessly. Every step deeper in understanding this issue brings significant impacts to humanity. The current utilization of atomic energy is just one example. Modern physics research has discovered that the smallest constituents of matter are not molecules and atoms, but quarks and leptons, which are billions of times smaller. Research on these fundamental particles often requires reaction energies hundreds of times higher than those of nuclear reactions, known as high-energy physics. Such high energies are obtained either through the "impact" of charged particles accelerated over long distances in a strong magnetic field towards a fixed target (high-energy) or through the collision of two opposing streams of accelerated particles (collider). To achieve this, steel is used to construct long-distance channels of strong magnetic fields. Additionally, similar structures are needed in controlled thermonuclear reaction devices. To reduce the temperature rise due to the heating caused by high currents, these magnetic channels are wound from hollow, non-standard copper rods to allow for medium cooling.
Guangzhou Chengyi Recycled Resources Recovery Co., Ltd. is a recycling company with years of experience in the recycled resources recovery and utilization industry. The company boasts a rich business background, a strong team, substantial capital, and a fleet of trucks for transportation. Our business scope is extensive, primarily involving the recycling of scrap iron, scrap aluminum, scrap copper, waste cables, stainless steel, old equipment, and other non-ferrous metals, as well as whole factory dismantling and electronic circuit board recycling.
How is the economic benefit of recycling and utilizing recycled resources? In recent years, to encourage resource recycling, the country has successively introduced and implemented a series of policies. Simultaneously, with the continuous advancement in the battle against pollution prevention and control and the increasing intensity of environmental supervision, the total amount and value of recycled resources in China have shown rapid growth. According to incomplete statistics, nearly 100 million tons of recyclable resources are available in China each year, valued at over 2 trillion yuan, including over 40 million tons of scrap steel, over 30 million tons of scrap paper, over 5 million tons of scrap non-ferrous metals, 6 million tons of scrap plastic, over 50 million tires, and over 10 million tons of other scrap materials. In addition, China has imported over 20 million tons of various recycled resources annually in recent years. If industrial and mining enterprises' self-collected and self-used waste materials are included, the value of recycled resources in China could reach over 4 trillion yuan annually.
