Copper Uses and Benefits for Modern Applications Explained

There is evidence of humans using copper since around 8,000 BC. It has been used for everything from weapons, tools, cooking utensils and more. In modern times, many of these uses are still relevant, but engineers have found significantly more high-tech applications in recent times.

What is Copper? Properties and Characteristics

Copper is a ductile, malleable metal that is widely used across industry. It is one of the few “native” metals, termed because of its ability to be used almost exactly as it occurs in nature, making it very simple and cost-effective to process into a higher purity.

It is often selected for its exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, or both. In addition to this, it is very easy to cut, bend and form into shapes, making it an ideal material for making electrical conductors from.

Copper is a relatively dense metal, thanks to its closely packed atomic structure. Its high malleability and conductivity make it a great material to draw into wires.

Key Uses of Copper in Industry

Copper is invaluable to almost every industry, being that it is vital to electricity and computing, it does have some other direct uses, however:

Thermal Conduction

Copper is often used to divert heat away from processors and other key components of computers, servers and other electrical devices. This is vital to ensure correct operation and minimise thermal throttling.

Copper is used because it has one of the highest levels of thermal conductivity of any solid metal. Third only to diamond and Silver.

Pipework

Thanks to its corrosion resistance, low melting point – for ease of joining – and malleability, copper is an ideal material for plumbing and pipework in homes, offices and industrial applications.

Both the Egyptians and the Romans are said to have used copper to transport and distribute water!

As an Alloying Element

Whilst Copper is undeniably an essential material when used in isolation, it is possibly just as essential as an alloying element.

Copper is used to enhance almost every common alloy, from steel to aluminium and even certain titanium alloys. One of the common reasons for adding copper is to increase ductility, malleability and machineability. But in some alloys, it can increase the strength too.

Benefits of Copper: Health, Environmental, and Ecological Advantages

Copper, like many naturally occurring metals, is needed by the body to perform natural processes. Specifically, copper aids in the absorption of iron into the body, helping maintain bone, nerve and immune health.

Although the mining of copper is often seen as detrimental to the environment, copper is disproportionately used in renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbine tech and of course, electric cars. All these things aim to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.

Innovations in Copper Applications: Technology and Future Trends

As we touched on above, one of the biggest industries driving demand for copper currently is green technologies; electric cars, wind and solar energy, as well as home battery technology, to make use of these technologies.

Quantum computing is promising to be the next revolution in human technology, with benefits we can’t even begin to fully quantify yet. Not only is copper often used for mounting brackets and conductors in quantum computing labs, but a by-product of its production, Cuprite, is even more revered.

Sustainable Practices in Copper Production and Recycling

Because copper can be recycled easily,  with very little loss of quality, there is a large recycling industry dedicated to it. Old wiring, motors, and even pipework have an intrinsic value and are often recycled fully.

It is said that around 40% of the world’s current copper supply is from recycled materials, which is around the highest of the commonly used construction materials.

With Copper, like most metal refining processes, it uses a large amount of water and energy to process. An initiative was started by the International Copper Association to limit the effect on the environment. “The Copper Mark” is aiming to reduce the impact of copper mining and refining, both in carbon emissions and the destruction of natural lands. As of 2025, 20% of the world’s copper is produced in line with these guidelines.