Copper's excellent electrical and thermal conductivity provides the most essential, free-moving electrons which electrical wiring requires. Wires must have low resistivity to electrical currents to ensure a power source can push current through. However, it's the combination of these following properties that make copper the industry standard choice.
Electrical conductance is the capacity to allow electrical current flow. When it comes to electrical conductivity, copper ranks the second highest next to silver. Oxygen can also be purposely added to increase copper's electrical conductivity. Copper is the industry-first choice because it is not considered a precious metal.
There are many applications that require materials with high thermal conductivity. Copper is in components for air conditioning units, heat sinks, vehicle radiators, and much more in most cases. This is a result of thermal conduction that is approximately 30 times stronger than the common stainless steel and 150% stronger than another strong thermal conductor, aluminum.
When it comes to a metal's resistance, its reactivity to oxygen plays a large factor. Copper's reactivity to oxidation, also known as, corrosion, is very low. This attribute is important for durability for copper's use in applications like radiators, electrical wires, pipes, and pans.
