Copper

Copper bugle
MFA# 17.1970

Description

A reddish-brown, ductile, metallic element. Copper is present in the earth's crust at a concentration of 70 ppm. It occurs as a native metal and as ores of sulfide, sulfate and carbonate (Azurite, Malachite, Cuprite, Chalcocite, Antlerite, Chalcopyrite, etc.). The major mining producers are: Chile, Peru, China, Australia, United States, Russia, Indonesia, Canada, Poland, Kazakhstan. Copper was the first metal used by man, probably from about 8000 BCE, in the regions of Mesopotamia and India. By about 3800 BCE, copper was made into bronze for weapons and knives. Today, copper is one of the most widely used metals. It is high in electrical and thermal conductivity, easily fabricated, ductile, and polishes well. In moist air, copper forms a protective green film of basic carbonate. Metallic copper combines well with other metals to form alloys. The main types of copper alloys are Brass (copper and zinc), low zinc brass, high zinc brass, leaded brass, forging brass, tin brass, Bronze (copper and tin), Phosphor bronze, Silicon bronze, Aluminum bronze, Nickel silver and Monel®. Copper and its alloys are used for wire, electrical devices, pipes, cooking vessels, ammunition, ornamental trim, roofing, grillwork, coins, musical instruments, jewelry, picture supports, and sculptures.

Copper tray
MFA# 2000.1013

Synonyms and Related Terms

Cu; aes Cyprium; metal of Cyprus; cuprum (Lat.); Koper (Ned.); cuivre (Fr.); Kupfer (Deut.); rame (It.); cobre (Port., Esp.); Koppar (Sven.); CI 77400; Arwood Copper

Risks

• Excess handling of copper salts can cause irritation.
• Food will become toxic when stored in copper containers.
• Copper dust and fumes cause metal fume fever.
• Contact and ingestion may cause irritation and illness.
• ThermoFisher: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Flame color is green-blue. Soluble in oxidizing acids (nitric, sulfuric, etc.). Slightly soluble in hydrochloric acid, ammonium hydroxide. Ductile, malleable. Luster = metallic. Streak = Copper red. Tarnish = black, blue, green

Potassium ferrocyanide may be used for the colorimetric detection of copper in metal, corrosion products, stains, and pigments. It reacts with copper to form a red-brown cupric ferrocyanide. Dithizone is also a useful reagent producing a dark yellow residue.

Native copper

Composition	Cu (atomic no. 29)
CAS	7440-50-8
Mohs Hardness	2.5 - 3.0
Melting Point	1083 C
Density	8.95-8.96 g/ml
Molecular Weight	atomic wt = 63.546
Boiling Point	2595 C

Resources and Citations

• D.A.Scott, Copper and Bronze in Art: Corrosion, Colorants, Conservation, Getty Publications, Los Angeles, 2002.
• J.Waite, "Architectural Metals: Their Deterioration and Stabilization" in Preservation and Conservation: Principles and Practice, S.Timmons (ed.), Preservation Press, Washington DC, 1976, p. 213.
• Mineralogy Database: Copper
• Web Elements: Website
• Ancient Trade Routes: Website
• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 228
• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
• David C. Scott, Metallography and Microstructure of Ancient and Historic Metals, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1991
• Oppi Untracht, Jewelry Concepts and Technology, Doubleday & Co., Inc., New York City, 1985
• Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
• Henry Hodges, Artifacts: An Introduction to Early Materials and Technology, Ronald P. Frye, Kingston, Canada, 1988
• A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: copper" [Accessed December 11, 2001]. (color photo);
• C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
• The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Copper"
• Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954