5 Uses For Copper Welding

 Copper is one of those metals that is part of our everyday lives - and no, we are not just talking about pennies. This metal has been incredibly beneficial to us in ways you may never have imagined. The fact that it has been around for at least 10,000 years means it has had a lot of time to make an impact. 

What is copper used for? And how does it find its way into our daily lives?

Types of Copper Welding

We may use copper in many ways (we will get to those in a minute), but copper just doesn’t appear to us precisely in the manner we intend to use it. Instead, we have to take steps to make copper more adaptable for our everyday use. One of the ways we do that is through different forms of welding. 

Soldering. Soldering is a way to join metal using a filler wire or filler material that melts and brings the metals together. This is a simple process that can be done to do small jobs around the house. Though plumbers commonly use it for repairing copper pipes and fittings. 

Brazing. Brazing also uses filler material like soldering. However, the temperatures used in the brazing process are often much higher than soldering. Extensive metalwork and dealing with those of varying thickness often use brazing. It is definitely not something just anyone would use at their house. 

Welding. Welding requires different techniques, training, and generally some skill. Some welding uses shielding gases such as argon and helium. Using various types of mixtures can lead to different outcomes when welding copper. Thicker pieces may require more helium, for example, while argon is a better choice when the copper is quite thin. Other welding types don’t require gas at all. Copper welding uses are plenty, but they are better left to the professionals. 

With the use of any of these types of welding, you will find yourself with some pretty useful copper products.

Uses for Copper Welding

Did you know that there are so many things in our daily lives that we come in contact with that are

made of copper? Like we said initially, the first thing people think of is copper pennies. But copper

extends well beyond that. And most of these metal things are the result of copper welding.

1. Copper Cookware

Believe it or not, copper cookware is more common than you think. These pots and pans are found in

kitchens around the world. And those who have them, love them - thanks to their intense heat

conductivity. 

2. Jewelry

Many people may not realize it, but copper is often found in jewelry. It tends to improve elasticity,

flexibility, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Gold is a very common alloyed metal when it comes to

copper. Most forms of 18k gold and sterling silver contain copper. 

3. Railings

Copper keeps you safe on stairs, balconies, etc. Most railings that are used as protective barriers or

are there for you to grab hold of are made of copper. Since copper has antimicrobial properties and

they are highly-trafficked surfaces, it's a great choice.

4. Door Knobs and Handles

Like railings, doorknobs and handles are often touched a lot. To keep them lasting a long time and not

maintain germ breeding grounds, doorknobs and handles do well when designed with copper. You’d

be surprised that nearly every knob you have touched in your lifetime has some level of copper in it.

5. Wires and Pipes

Whether you have seen it or not, there are a lot of wires and pipes winding through your house. Your

plumbing, electrical wiring, and so forth all have copper. This is, again, thanks to its antimicrobial

property and its ability to conduct electricity with high efficiency.

Learn More About Copper Uses at Atlas Bronze

Whether we realize it or not, copper is one of those metals that play an important role in our lives every

single day. From plumbing pipes to jewelry and everything in between, there is likely going to come a

time when you need it. And when you do, Atlas Bronze is here. 

Contact our professional team today at (800) 478-0887. They are standing by to answer all your

questions about copper welding uses.

Brass or Copper: Which is Better?

Which is better, brass or copper? When a customer calls us asking that question, our answer

is usually, “It depends.” There’s no type of metal or alloy that is inherently better than any other,

but each one has its own particular strengths and weaknesses, which means some are better

suited to certain applications than others. Once we understand the type of strength you’re

looking for, corrosion resistance, conductivity, and color, we can help you choose the right

material for your needs. 

Understanding Brass

Brass is not an elemental metal that can be mined; instead, it must be created. This is key to

understanding its properties. Brass is an alloy that is made with copper—in its simplest form,

brass is a combination of copper and zinc. As the amount of copper is increased or decreased,

it changes the characteristics of the resulting alloy. For example, if you’re after an exceptionally

strong material for your application, you’ll want to have at least 39 percent zinc in your brass.

Once you add more elements to the mix, things get even more interesting. Iron, lead, aluminum,

manganese, and tin are all elements that are commonly found in brass, giving it different colors

and characteristics. Brass products can come in a wide range of colors, strengths, and qualities.

Understanding Copper

If brass is an alloy, copper is an element, right? It’s complicated.

Copper is an element that is mined from the earth, unlike brass. That said, for industrial and

commercial purposes, copper is rarely used in its natural form. Instead, copper alloys are used.

We combine copper with other elements to change or enhance its natural characteristics. 

There are many applications where copper is a top choice. For medical devices and fixtures

like faucets, copper may be chosen because it is antimicrobial. The electronics industry chooses

copper for its thermal and electrical conductivity. Copper alloys can be strong and resistant to

corrosion. And, of course, copper is commonly used in jewelry, architecture, and sculpture because

of its signature hue.

Which Is Better for My Application, Brass or Copper?

As you might have guessed from the introduction to this post, there’s really no universal answer

to the question of whether brass or copper is better. Not only do all applications have all different

needs, because brass and copper are both alloys, it’s like comparing apples to oranges unless

you know the specific alloys you’re looking at. 

One brass alloy could be more ductile than a certain copper alloy; compare two different copper

and brass alloys and you might have the opposite outcome. You can see how this can get

complicated! Unless you’re very familiar with the wide range of alloys available, it’s difficult to

research the answer on your own.

The benefit of working with Atlas Bronze is that we’re experts when it comes to metals. We take

the time to listen to what it is that you need and learn about your application, then present to you

the best choices to meet your specifications.

Learn More About Copper and Brass

Are you choosing between copper and brass for your application? Our knowledgeable sales team

is here to help you with all of your purchasing decisions. Contact us at 1-800-478-0887 to speak

with one of our experts and get started.

 

The Differences Between Copper and Bronze

There’s quite a bit of overlap in the qualities and uses of copper and bronze, but there are also some

significant differences you should be aware of if you’re choosing between the two metals for your

application. What’s the difference between copper and bronze? Which one is the best choice for

your needs? We answer these questions below.

Understanding Copper

Copper is one of the earliest metals used by human populations. Best known for its reddish hue, copper is the term used for both pure copper and any copper alloy that has at least a 99.3 percent copper content. You’ll find copper in sculptures, architecture, and fixtures, but behind the scenes, it’s also commonly used for heating and electrical applications because of its superior conductivity.

There are other reasons to choose copper for your application besides conductivity, though. Copper is resistant to corrosion and valued for its strength. It’s highly formable, which is likely why it was such a widely used material by early humans. Copper is antimicrobial, making it suitable for many healthcare and medical uses. Architects, sculptors, and other artists appreciate copper because it can be given different lusters and textures when it’s buffed and polished.

Understanding Bronze

Bronze is a metal alloy that is made mostly with copper, but not enough to be considered a copper alloy. In addition to copper, other metals like iron, zinc, and tin are added to impart different qualities on the resulting metal. Like copper, bronze is often used in statues, sculpture, and architecture. Its industrial uses include pump parts, bearings, gears, and valves because bronze is valued for its resistance to wear and low friction. Many musical instruments are also made with bronze.

Bronze cast alloys, like those available from Atlas Bronze, are manufactured in three different ways: sand casting, centrifugal casting, and continuous casting. Different casting methods are used for different types of products and parts.

Copper vs. Bronze: What Makes Them Different?

Here are some of the notable qualities of copper and bronze, and differences between the two metals.

• Bronze is a dull gold in color, while copper is more of a reddish-orange.

• Copper is more commonly used in wiring and pipes, while bronze is a popular choice for bushings and bearings.

• Bronze alloys are resistant to corrosion and known for their strength, while copper is malleable and easily soldered.

• Copper can be an alloy and also a natural element, while bronze is always an alloy.

• Bronze has low friction, which makes it an excellent choice for moving parts.

• Copper has antimicrobial properties, which makes it ideal for high-touch surfaces and healthcare settings.

Learn More About Atlas Bronze Products

To learn more about ordering high-quality bronze products from Atlas Bronze, contact us at 1-800-478-0887. Our sales team offers unmatched customer support and industry knowledge, and we’re committed to working together with you to meet your needs. If you’re not sure whether you need bronze or a copper alloy for your application, we can listen to your requirements and suggest the best option for you.