: 412-782-7060

Copper

Overview

Historically, copper was the first metal to be worked by people, and the discovery that it could be hardened with a little tin to form the alloy bronze gave its name to the Bronze Age. Traditionally it has been one of the coinage metals along with silver and gold, but it is the most common and therefore the least valued of this group. All American coins are now copper alloys, and gun metals also contain copper. The greatest percentage of copper used is in electrical equipment such as wiring and motors; this is due to its great ability to conduct both heat and electricity. Copper sulfate is used widely as an agricultural poison and as an algicide in water purification. Copper compounds such as Fehling’s solution are used in chemical tests for sugar detection.Copper metal does occur naturally, but by far the greatest source is in minerals such as chalcopyrite and bornite. Copper ores (copper sulfides, oxides and carbonates) are found in the USA and Canada, as well as several other places. From these ores and minerals copper is obtained by smelting, leaching and electrolysis.

Metals we sell

The copper, nickel, tin and zinc metals are priced and hedged using the London Metal Exchange (LME), which allows our customer to fix price forward basis current market prices.

Show all

Ammonium Perrhenate Rhenium

Nickel Briquettes

Nickel Powder