The chemical name of copper powder is copper.
Copper powder refers to the elemental form of copper (Cu) in a finely divided, particulate state. It is simply the metallic element copper, but processed into a powder.
Understanding Copper as an Element
Copper is a transition metal element with the atomic number 29. It is renowned for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as its corrosion resistance. When referring to "copper powder," it signifies the pure metallic copper, often specifically prepared for various industrial applications due to its increased surface area.
Key Identifiers and Properties
Copper powder, such as the high-purity varieties (e.g., 99.9% metals basis), is characterized by its elemental nature and specific physical attributes. For instance, it can be spherical in shape and categorized by mesh sizes (e.g., -170+270 mesh), which indicate the particle size range.
Here are some key identifiers for copper:
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC Name | copper |
| CAS Number | 7440-50-8 |
| PubChem CID | 23978 |
| ChEBI ID | CHEBI:30052 |
| Purity | Often found as 99.9% (metals basis) |
| Form | Powder, can be spherical with specific mesh sizes |
Common Synonyms for Copper
In various contexts and languages, copper is known by several synonyms:
- Cuprum (Latin origin, also its chemical symbol)
- Cobre (Spanish)
- Cuivre (French)
- Kupfer (German)
- Other terms describing its form or application: blister, cathode, bronze (though bronze is an alloy), powder, anode, precipitates.
Applications of Copper Powder
The finely divided nature of copper powder makes it highly versatile across numerous industries:
- Metallurgy:
- Powder Metallurgy: Used to produce complex shapes and porous materials, such as self-lubricating bearings and filters, by compacting and sintering copper powder.
- Alloy Production: Incorporated into other metals to create alloys like brass and bronze.
- Electronics:
- Conductive Pastes: Essential component in conductive inks, paints, and pastes for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and RFID tags.
- EMI Shielding: Used in coatings for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding due to its excellent conductivity.
- Chemical Industry:
- Catalysts: Acts as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, especially in organic synthesis.
- Pigments: Used in certain color formulations.
- Other Uses:
- Brakes and Clutches: Incorporated into friction materials for improved performance.
- Heat Sinks: Its high thermal conductivity makes it suitable for heat dissipation applications.
- Antifouling Coatings: Used in marine paints to prevent the growth of organisms on ship hulls.
The specific properties of copper powder, such as particle size, shape, and purity, dictate its suitability for these diverse applications.
