Cu
ChemistryCopper is specified as Cu. Density band 8.96 g/cm³.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength40
Heat resistance55
Fire performance76
Insulation6
Workability88
Circularity78
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Copper non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1 metal. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Copper insulate?
Thermal mark 6/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~400 W/m·K.
What is the density band?
8.96 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: Chalcolithic / industrial electrorefining 1860s (Cyprus / global).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 78/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
1085 °C
heat 55 · fire 76
What holds Copper together is not the nickname. Formula Cu, density 8.96 g/cm³.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
Microstructure
OrderProcessing sets grain, crystallinity or fibre orientation — the reason two lots of Copper can test differently.
Interfaces
SurfacesCoatings, oxide films, sizings or paper faces often decide weather and fire behaviour more than the bulk brochure.
Defects
FlawsInclusions, voids, knots, pinholes or residual stress start the failures that mill certificates do not list.
Grades
VariantsCopper is a family. Grade names below are the ones buyers actually write on RFQs.
Ageing
TimeMoisture, UV, creep, hydrogen or carbonation shift properties in service. Design to the aged state.
Relative meters
Strength40
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope55
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour76
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation6
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability88
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity78
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
C110 ETP
Electrolytic tough pitch wire.Electrolytic tough pitch wire.
C122 DHP
Phosphorus-deoxidised plumbing tube.Phosphorus-deoxidised plumbing tube.
C101 OFE
Oxygen-free electronics.Oxygen-free electronics.
C260 brass
Cartridge brass, 70/30.Cartridge brass, 70/30.
C932 bronze
Bearing bronze.Bearing bronze.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Copper holds together by metallic bonding.
Secondary forces
Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals stacks or grain-boundary cohesion set toughness and moisture uptake.
Composites & fills
Fillers, fibres, plasticisers or aggregates are part of the real product, not impurities.
Environment film
Oxides, chars, sizings or paints are the layer the world actually meets.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
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