These products are sold to a wide variety of industrial users. Approximately 2 tons of overburden must be removed to extract 1 ton of copper. The ore concentrates are then reduced to the metallic state, most often by pyrometallurgical process. Sulfuric acid is manufactured from the sulfur dioxide contained in the gassses given off, and is an important co-product of copper smelting. Tow main categories of copper alloys are brass and bronze.
True bronzes are copper-tin alloys.
The following is a list of the most common names of copper-based alloys. Highest electrical and thermal conductivities Maximum ductility and malleability but more expensive and soft than other types. Used in electrical applications demanding highest conductivity. Free from impurities and inclusions. Very high electrical and thermal conductivities with excellent malleability and ductility.