Copper materials are widely used in a number of manufacturing and industrial applications. Not only is copper typically affordable and available in several forms, but it’s also durable when it comes to functioning in high-energy environments.

People who work in any sort of industrial profession have more than likely heard of high conductivity copper. It possesses qualities which make it a suitable choice for specific pieces of machinery. 

In this blog, we’re going to talk about what high conductivity copper is, how it differs from standard copper, the various applications it serves, along with the advantages of choosing copper as a key manufacturing material. 

What Is High Conductivity Copper?

High conductivity copper is a term to describe copper that are exceptionally effective at conducting electricity. It’s a versatile material, which means it has a wide variety of functions and applications. High conductivity copper, for example, is most often used to make electrical items, such as cords or outlets.

Depending on the need of the product they’re being used to create, the material is either very low in oxygen content or completely free from oxygen. Additionally, materials made from high conductivity copper are resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for products that require durability.

High conductivity copper is quite similar to the various other grades of copper material, but this specific type is made with a very high standard of quality in mind. It’s slightly more conductive than other copper items and it’s more corrosion-resistant than other metals, including lower-grade copper wire. However, both high conductivity copper and standard-grade copper are undeniably excellent conductors.

Conductivity of Copper vs. Other Metals

To understand what makes copper more conductive than other metals, it’s important to understand the nature of electrical conductivity at large. 

Conductivity refers to how well a given material functions at transporting electrical charges. For a material to be particularly conductive, the outermost electrons surrounding a material’s atoms must be bound loosely so they can move about the material freely.

While the majority of atoms keep their valence electrons close, the valence electrons found in copper repel one another, remaining free to bounce around the atom. This uncommon trait is ultimately what makes copper a far better conductor than other metals, such as zinc, aluminum, or nickel.

Applications of High Conductivity Copper

In its simplest form, copper is used in many applications, including to transfer cells within the human body, to create agricultural pesticides, and for the development of chemical testing capabilities.

As a product, though, high conductivity copper primarily serves as a means to transmit electricity as efficiently as possible. It’s included in electric transformers, connectors, computers, microwaves, mechanical circuits, and power cables. As such, it’s a valuable non-precious metal to industries like telecommunications, construction, utilities, and industrial manufacturing. 

Furthermore, as the market for electric cars continues to grow, so too does the demand for high conductivity copper. That’s because electric cars require more copper for their assembly and function than gasoline-powered cars, making the value of high conductivity copper directly related to electric car manufacturing.

What Are The Advantages Of High Conductivity Copper?

Manufacturing companies prefer high conductivity copper to other metals for a number of reasons. 

For starters, copper happens to be one of the oldest metals used throughout human history. It’s reliable and durable enough to keep its strength over long periods of time, as seen in jewelry and tools which have been excavated from as far back as 8,000 BCE.

Second, copper can be fabricated in a variety of ways without interfering with the strength and quality of the product. It can be drawn, coined, bent, knurled, roll-threaded, spun, stamped, and coppersmithed, along with many other techniques.

High conductivity copper, as the name suggests, also provides great thermal and electrical conductivity, making it ideal for the high-efficiency function of electrical products.

And finally, copper is resistant to corrosion in most circumstances. Unless a high conductivity copper product is combined with other metals that interfere with its function, like zinc and tin, it has better corrosion-resistance than most other materials. 

The use of high conductivity copper can ultimately improve several aspects of manufacturing and product functionality. It improves the safety standards of the devices it helps power, increases electrical efficiency, and ensures a longer product life cycle than what would be expected when using other conductive metals. It’s for these reasons that high conductivity copper is one of the best manufacturing metals to invest in for long-lasting, durable machinery.