Natural Copper Strips

Copper Strips for Your Projects

Our copper strips are crafted from 99.9% pure copper, offering superior quality and performance across a variety of applications. With a smooth finish and excellent workability, these strips are perfect for fabrication, welding, soldering, and cold working, making them a versatile material for both professional and creative projects.

Grades and Thicknesses:

• C106 Copper: A phosphorus-deoxidized, general-purpose grade that is easy to bend and malleable, ideal for crafting and shaping projects. Available in thinner gauges (0.4mm to 1.5mm).
• C101 Copper: An electrolytic tough pitch grade, slightly springier and better suited for applications requiring electrical conductivity or greater rigidity. Available in thicker gauges (2.0mm and 3.0mm).

Fabrication Versatility:
Copper strips up to 0.9mm thick can be cut with tin snips for convenience. For beaten copper work or detailed crafting, we recommend thinner strips (0.7mm or less). Both grades are easy to solder, and we provide a lead-free tin/silver pre-fluxed solder specifically designed for use with copper. Additionally, C106 copper can serve as anodes for copper plating, expanding its range of uses.

Condition and Protection:
To ensure a pristine finish during handling, one side of each strip is covered with a peelable plastic film. While minor scuffing may occur on the reverse side due to the cutting process, this can be removed using Scotch-Brite pads or other conditioning tools. The plastic film peels away easily to reveal the high-quality copper surface beneath.

Natural Aging and Character:
Copper is a reactive, "living" metal, evolving in appearance over time. Uncoated copper naturally darkens as it interacts with oxygen and moisture, transitioning through shades of brown and eventually developing the iconic green verdigris seen on historic buildings. For those seeking a consistent copper color, we recommend lacquering or exploring faux copper options.

Antimicrobial Benefits:
Copper is one of the few naturally occurring antimicrobial metals, effectively eliminating bacteria and viruses such as MRSA and COVID-19 on clean surfaces. This unique property makes it an excellent choice for hygienic applications.

Applications:
Copper strips are highly versatile and well-suited for a wide range of uses, including:

• Craftwork: Jewellery making, stamping, and artistic projects.
• Architecture: Cladding, accents, and decorative installations.
• Engineering: Corrosion-resistant components for chemical environments.
• Electrical Applications: Grade C101 is ideal for wiring, grounding, and other conductive tasks.

Maintenance and Tarnish Removal:
For those who prefer to maintain the original bright copper finish, tarnish can be removed with commercial cleaners such as Bar Keepers Friend, which is readily available online.

Sustainability and Sourcing:
Copper is mined globally, with major producers including Chile, Peru, and Mongolia. As a finite resource, copper production requires significant effort, with one tonne of ore yielding only 10 kilograms of usable copper. With demand rising due to renewable energy initiatives, the cost of copper is expected to increase, potentially leading to new mining methods such as ocean extraction.

For detailed information on patination and working with copper, we recommend the book The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals: A Manual for Fine Metalworkers, Sculptors, and Designers, available on Amazon.