EPiC database - Copper wire

This material is part of the free Environmental Performance in Construction (EPiC) Database. The EPiC Database contains embodied environmental flow coefficients for 250+ construction materials using a comprehensive hybrid life cycle inventory approach.<br><br>Copper is a soft and malleable non-ferrous metal and has been used in construction for hundreds of years. It has high thermal and electric conduction properties.<br><br>Copper is made by crushing mined copper ores and flash smelting them. The resulting copper sulphite is further heated with oxygen to obtain copper oxide. The latter is heated to obtain blister copper, which is used to cast anodes that are turned into pure copper cathodes through electroplating. These cathodes are melted, roll milled to a very small thickness and fed to a coiler than produces the wire.<br><br>Copper has multiple uses in construction. Copper wires are used in the majority of electrical cables.