Copper

In terms of global metal production and consumption, copper ranks third after iron and aluminum. Copper has a face-centered cubic lattice with a period of 3.607 А0. Its density is 8.94 g/cm³, and its melting point is 1083°C. Copper occurs naturally both in its native form and as chemical compounds. Of industrial importance are chalcopyrite, known as copper pyrites, as well as chalcocite, bornite, and malachite. Copper is obtained from copper ores and minerals. The main production methods are pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and electrolysis. A characteristic property of copper is its high electrical conductivity, second only to silver, which is why copper is widely used in electrical engineering. Copper’s mechanical properties are relatively poor: its tensile strength is 150…200 MPa, and its elongation is 15…25%. Therefore, copper is rarely used as a structural material. Improved mechanical properties are achieved by creating various copper-based alloys.