The Birth of Copper Alloys
Copper has been used for processing and applications in ancient China. With the progress of time, we can conclude that the development of copper alloys with new functionalities and characteristics, along with the research on new material synthesis technologies, is an important approach to forge new types of copper alloys to meet the needs of human development.
High Purity of Copper Materials
In order to enhance the electrical conductivity of copper, we continuously update smelting and synthesis technologies, increasing the purity of copper from 99.5% to the current 99.9999%. This minimizes the impact of impurities on conductivity and thermal conductivity. Typical applications include the use of high-purity copper for network transmission cables, high-purity oxygen-free copper for electric vacuum devices, single-crystal copper and ultra-pure copper for precise guidance, high-fidelity signal transmission, and superconductors.
Another aspect of the development of copper alloys towards high purity is manifested in microalloyed copper materials, which require high purification of the copper alloy matrix to ensure higher comprehensive performance.
Categorization of Copper Products
Copper materials and copper alloy processing can be divided into eight major categories based on their shapes: plates, strips, foils, profiles, tubes, rods, wires, and sections. Generally, when the thickness of a strip is less than 0.1 millimeters, it is called a foil (the customs in China consider thickness less than 0.15 millimeters as foil). As for rods and wires, besides straight bars and coils, coils with a diameter less than 5 millimeters are commonly referred to as wires, while those supplied in straight bars are called small rods. As for tubes and plates, these are generally well understood and require no further explanation.
In the quest for more advanced copper materials, researchers are also exploring the development of copper nanomaterials and nanostructured copper alloys. These materials show promising properties, such as enhanced electrical conductivity, improved mechanical strength, and increased corrosion resistance. Additionally, the use of advanced manufacturing techniques, such as additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy, opens up new possibilities for the production of complex-shaped copper components with tailored properties.
Furthermore, the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials has led to the development of copper alloys with improved recyclability and reduced environmental impact. These alloys not only retain the desirable properties of copper, but also offer enhanced performance and reduced resource consumption.
As we continue to push the boundaries of copper alloy research and development, we can expect to see even more innovative applications and advancements in this versatile and indispensable material.