Pure copper is soft and can be drawn into wire or hammered into desired shapes. These shaping processes cause the metal to become hard because the large crystal grains are broken into smaller grains, strengthening the metal. Copper and zinc are alloyed to make brass, and alloyed with tin to make bronze. Alloys of copper and aluminum are called aluminum bronze. Copper sulfate is used in copper plating, in fabric printing, and in electric cells.
Common names are blue vitriol and blustone.
Reference Pauling Ch. Spin Natural Abund.