The major use for high yield copper is flashing products, where malleability and strength are both important.
Good resistance to corrosion, good electrical and thermal conductivity, ease of fabrication coupled with strength and resistance to fatigue are criteria by which copper or one of its alloys is selected.
Corrosion Resistance: Copper is a noble metal able to resist attack quite well under most corrosive environmental conditions. In the presence of moisture, salt and high sulfur pollution, copper quickly begins to oxidize and progress through the weathering cycle. Its high resistance to corrosion is due to its ability to react to its environment and reach weathering equilibrium.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity: Copper and its alloys are excellent conductors of electricity and heat. In fact, copper is used for these purposes more often than any other metal. Alloying invariably decreases electrical conductivity and to a lesser extent, thermal conductivity. Coppers and high-copper alloys are preferred over copper alloys containing more than a few percent total alloy content when high electrical or thermal conductivity is required.
Ease of Fabrication: Copper and its alloys are generally capable of being shaped to the required form and dimensions by any of the common fabricating processes. They are routinely rolled, stamped, drawn and headed cold; they are rolled, extruded, forged and formed at elevated temperature.
Copper and its alloys are readily assembled by any of the various mechanical or bonding processes commonly used to join metal components. Crimping, staking, riveting, and bolting are mechanical means of maintaining joint integrity. Soldering, brazing and welding are the most widely used processes for bonding copper metals. Selection of the best joining process is governed by service requirements, joint configuration, thickness of the components, and alloy composition(s).
