DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : D.Mohana Rao
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Metallurgy
Institute : M.R.A.G.R Govt. Poly., VZM.
Subject : Non-Ferrous Extractive Metallurgy
Code No : Met-703
Semester : VII - Semester
Major Topic : Copper Extraction
Duration : 50 Mins.
Sub Topic : Properties and uses of
Copper & effect of impurities
Teaching Aids : PPTs, Photos, Animations.
Met-703.1 1
 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this topic, you would be able

to know :

• Properties of Copper

• Uses of Copper

• Effect of impurities on Copper

Met-703.1 2
 INTRODUCTION

• Copper is most important Non-Ferrous metal

• It is widely used in Engineering and domestic purposes

• It is used extensively in Pharmaceutical industries

Met-703.1 3
 INTRODUCTION

• 85% of its production is by Pyro Metallurgical route.

• Ores containing 1.0 – 2.0% Copper are suitable for

extraction.

• Poor grades of ores are extracted by

Hydrometallurgical methods.

Met-703.1 4
 Properties of Copper

• Atomic weight 63.57

• Specific gravity 8.94
• Melting point 1083 oC
• Coefficient of expansion 16.42x10-6/oC
• Specific Resistance 1.683 ohm.cm.
• Hardness 3 on Mohs scale

Met-703.1 5
• High Electrical and Thermal Conductivity
• Both in Alloyed and Unalloyed condition
• Adequate mechanical properties
• Excellent Malleability, Ductility, Extrudability and deep
drawing ability
• High resistance to various types of corrosion.
• High scrap value
• Amenability to fabrication by several lechniqus.

Met-703.1 6
• Pure copper is unrivalled as a conductor of
electricity.
• Exlensively used in Electrical applications.
• In non electrical applications, copper is used in the
form of an alloy.
• Commonly utilised alloys are Cu – Zn brasses, Cu
– Sn bronzes, Cu – Ni – Zn alloys (called Nickel
silver).
Met-703.1 7
• Cooking utensils

• Telecommunications

• Medicines

• Electronics

• Defense and Mint

• Handicrafts

Met-703.1 8
 Sector wise consumption of copper in
India and World
Sector % in India % in World
Electrical 33.7 14
Electronics 17 9
Transport 15 12
Process industry 4 5
General Engg. 6 5
Consumer
7 10
durables
Handicrafts 0.3 --
Building
2 41
Construction
Defense & Mint 5
Met-703.1 4 9
 Breakup of Processed Copper
Products in India
Rods, wires etc. 30%

Flat rolled products 20%

Extruded products 10%

Castings 15%

Others 5%

Met-703.1 10
Impurities in Copper

Dissolved impurities :

• Nickel
• Iron
• Arsenic
• Antimony
• Phosphorus

Met-703.1 11
 Insoluble impurities :

• Bismuth
• Lead
• Selenium
• Tllurium
• Sulphur
• Oxygen and oxides

Met-703.1 12
 Effect of Iron on Copper

• Small amount of Iron has little effect on Mechanical

properties

• 2% Iron hardens and strengthens Copper without

destroying ductility

• 2% Iron reduces Electric conductivity

Met-703.1 13
 Effect of Arsenic on Copper

• Added upto 0.6% for hardening and strengthening effect

• Rises recrystallization temperature

• Little effect on Malleability and ductility

• Decreases electrical conductivity

Met-703.1 14
 Effect of Antimony on Copper

• When higher recrystallization temperature is required

it is added in small quantities

• Above 0.5% hardens Copper and lowers electrical

conductivity

• Presence of Antimony is undesirable in Brass

Met-703.1 15
 Effect of Bismuth on Copper

• It has bad effect on Mechanical properties

• Rarely encountered in domestic coppers

• Its effect is neutralised by addition of oxygen,

Arsenic and Antimony

Met-703.1 16
 Effect of Lead on Copper

• It is added to increase machinability

• Should not exceed 0.005% if copper is to be hot rolled

• Selenium, Tellurium and sulphur have harmful effect

on mechanical properties

Met-703.1 17
 Effect of Oxygen on Copper

• Small quantity of O2 is not harmfull.

• Small amount of oxygen increases electrical conductivity

by removing other impurities form solid solution.

• Large amount reduces both electrical and Thermal

conductivities by increasing Cu2O.

• The effect of O2 on mechanical properties is minimal.

Met-703.1 18
 SUMMARY

We have discussed about

• Properties of Copper

• Uses of Copper

• Effect of impurities on Copper

Met-703.1 19
 QUIZ

1. Copper Melting point

a) 1050°C

b) 990°C

c) 760°C

d) 1083°C

Met-703.1 20
 QUIZ

2. Hardness of copper on Mohs scale

a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 5

Met-703.1 21
 QUIZ

3. World production of copper by Pyro Metallurgical route is

a) 60%

b) 30%

c) 40%

d) 85%

Met-703.1 22
 QUIZ

4. Insoluble impurity of copper is

a) Nickel
b) Iron
c) Sulfur
d) Phosphorus

Met-703.1 23
 QUIZ

5. Dissolved impurity of Copper is

a) Lead

b) Selenium

c) Tellurium

d) Iron

Met-703.1 24
 Frequently asked questions

1. List out the uses of copper

2. Write the properties of copper

3. Explain the effect of impurities on Copper

Met-703.1 25
Thank You !

Met-703.1 26