Whatdoes copper do

for me?

The amount of copper used in the UKeach year works out at 9kg per person.Let’s see where the copper is used.

Let’s start by looking in Jackand Emma’s house.

The roof is made of copper givingit a distinctive and attractiveappearance. Here the copperlooks green as it has patinated,forming a protective layer.

Copper can be easilyshaped, lasts a long timeand, above all, looks great!

Yaawn!!

Let’s take a look at the otheruses of copper in Jack andEmma’s lives.

The door handles are made of brass, an alloy of copperand zinc. Brass is strong, hard wearing and a beautifulgolden colour too. Germs can’t survive on copper orbrass so these handles are also hygienic.

Morning!

Copper pipes deliver clean water fordrinking and cooking, and hot water forwashing and heating. The taps andshower heads are made of brass but youwouldn’t know it because they areusually chrome-plated.

Copper has excellent electrical conductivity and provideslighting and power for Jack and Emma’s appliances - the TV, hi-fi, fridge and toaster.

Imust hurry,I’m already

late.

Jack’s car contains around 20kg ofcopper in its wiring and electronics forsafety, economy and comfort features.

I’moff!

A high-speed electric train needs 2 tonnesof copper for its engines and 16 tonnes forthe overhead wires for each mile of track.

An aeroplane can have over120 miles of copper cables.

Towork!

From Nelson’s HMS Victory to modern pleasure yachts, copperhas been used on ships’ hulls for centuries. It prevents algaeand barnacles from growing on the hull and slowing down theship.

Nearly there!

The 4 tonnes of copper ina wind turbine generatorhelp to convert windenergy to electricty.

The computer ....

The fax.........

The cordless phone,,,,The photocopier....

Grrrr!My dial-up connection is so slow

and I can’t email my report!

Faster! Moreefficient! Terrific!

Broadbanduses the existing coppertelephone cables to give

you hi-speed internetaccess 24/7.

Don’t youhave ADSL

yet?

Jack’s PC has amicrochip with copperconnections, making itfaster, and a copperheat sink, helping tostop it overheating.

Copper is used for coinsbecause it is hard wearing andeasy to stamp with intricatedesigns, Coins, like othercopper items, can be recycledover and over again.

Doesanyone have

change for thecoffee

machine?

That eveningBy eating a well-balanced diet, Jackand Emma get their daily intake ofcopper, essential for health anddevelopment, for forming red bloodcells and for our immune systems.

Foetusesand babies need a lotof copper too - it’s

essential for their growthand development

Copper pots and pans are great for cooking,not just because of their attractiveappearance and durability, but also thanksto copper’s excellent thermal conductivity.

Copper is found all around us in our daily lives. It provides us withcomfort, safety and convenience in our homes and work places, all inperfect harmony with the environment.

Whatshall we watchtonight Emma?

Copper Development Association

Publication 191, April 2007 Dra

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For further information on copper:

Copper Development Association

5 Grovelands Business Centre

Boundary Way

Hemel Hempstead

HP2 7TE

Email: helpline@copperdev.co.uk

Fax: 01442 275716

Website: www.cda.org.uk