Three Industrial Uses For Copper Tubes
Copper tubes, when they are new, are bright and shiny. There is something almost pretty about them, and maybe that is why people like how new copper looks in their homes. However, in an industrial setting, copper tubes have some very different uses. Check out the following.
Electrical Conduits
Copper conducts electricity very well. You can use copper tubes as conduits for wire, either bare wire—which allows the transference of electrical energy—or covered and coated wire. In the latter instance, the copper tubing provides added protection for the covered/coated wires and prevents the escape of electrons, which could have a negative effect on products or machines in that particular part of the plant. Static electricity is sometimes caused by the release of electrons into the air. It can cause things to blow up if enough loose energy is released near a substance that is highly sensitive to electrons.
Sliced and Used as Copper Sealing Rings
Copper tubes may also be sliced to create rings. The rings are placed over the ends of hoses and the connections of hoses to joints and fittings. Then the copper tube rings are crimped to create a very tight, rust-proof seal around those hoses, fittings, and joints. A hand-held blowtorch can easily and quickly cut new copper rings as needed.
Replacements for Lead or Lead-Painted Pipes
If your plant has been around a very long time, and even predates 1978, there is a very good chance that a lot of the pipes are either lead or painted with lead paint. This is both a biohazard to your employees and a fire hazard as well. Lead has a very low melting point, which means that a simple fire in your factory will cause all of the lead pipes and lead paint to liquefy and create a very toxic environment. You can eliminate all that (and be EPA- and OSHA-approved for a lead-free structure) by just replacing all lead pipes and all lead paint painted pipes from the plant with copper tubes. Copper is far safer, has a higher melting point than lead, and is less toxic to humans.
There is a lot to like about copper, and a lot of uses to find in copper tubes. That said, you should consider making copper your go-to metal for all your needs. It is easy to find, easier to buy, and relatively cheap in comparison to other metals.
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