Copper wire is freely used in automotive, telecommunications and building industries for its unique properties. There are several variants of this metal wire available, making it a distinct choice for usage in electrical appliances and wiring work. One can opt for insulated or bare wires, wires made from tinned copper, where a sheath of tin is used as a protective layer on the metal wire and so on. Understanding why the metal has been considered suitable for electrical work will involve studying its physical and chemical properties.

The Physical Properties of the Metal

Copper wires always have a distinct orange or almost reddish tint a shiny metallic luster. This is because the crystalline structures of the copper molecules reflect only orange and red light from the range of spectrum, lending it the reddish hue that the metal is known for. When you compare it with other metals in the periodic table copper is softer as compared to iron and harder compared to zinc. One distinct quality of copper, that makes it suitable for making wires, is its malleability, which means that with pressure, the wire can be elongated and subsequently molded into different shapes.

Copper is also highly ductile, which means that it can be stretched and its form can be changed quite easily without suffering breakages. It is also an excellent conductor of electricity making it suitable for cable manufacturing.

Chemical Properties of Copper

The atomic number of the metal is 29 and the symbol is Cu. Copper has an atomic weight of 63.54. The metal has hardness between 2.5and 3.The metal that is used in manufacturing copper wires has a very high relative density of 8.2. This is higher than any other element used for industrial purposes including sulfur, carbon and even water. Wires made from copper have significantly low chemical reactivity.

Buying Copper Made Wires

Understanding the physical and chemical properties of the metal gives you a fair understanding of how the metal proves to be suitable for usage in electrical work. However, evaluating copper wires before purchase could indeed involve much more. Here are some of the measures to consider:

• Check for reputation. You may consider asking around and seeking customer referrals.
• Enquire where the metal has been sourced from. Often times, the source could speak volumes about the quality. You can research a bit on the preferred sources to consider for an effective evaluation.
• Know more about testing standards. Wires used for electrical usages are tested at various levels for safety and certified for usage. You will need to have information about these in order to check on the accreditation and similar.
• Consider a price survey. Superior quality copper can be expensive. You need to ensure that the prices offered to you are competitive and at par with market rates. Seeking discounts for bulk purchases is also a great way to bring down costs.

In case you think you aren’t capable enough to evaluate and choose, seeking expert intervention is always good. Consider seeking help and making the best choices possible.