It is commonly used in a very fine wire form, as in knitting with fine silver wire. Gold Silver Copper Copper Copper is widely used in industry due to it's ability to conduct heat and electricity very well. It is very easy to form, color, and shape. It has been used for centuries in jewelry, weapons, vessels, and other art objects. 1981 degrees F Properties Copper is usually mixed with other metals to toughen and strengthen the alloy.
Copper tarnishes easily and needs frequent polishing.
When it is exposed to moist air, poisonous substances are formed on the metal. So, people who work with copper need to wash hands often, so as not to ingest these substances. That is also the reason that copper cookware and serving pieces should be plated with non-corrosive metal such as tin or washed before each use. To maintain it's natural color it can be washed thoroughly, then scrubbed with steel wool. If wax or lacquer is applied, it should not tarnish or react with the skin and make it black.