2. Copper and copper alloys

2.1 General data

Copper occupies a special place in the metals industry. A metal known to the Ancients, it has always held a certain fascination for mankind. Its precocious development stems from the fact that it existed in its native state, and that man was quick to distinguish between this plastic, luminous material and hard, brittle rock. What's more, an unintentional mixture with tin must have been the very first step towards the discovery of alloys.

2.2 Main nuances

The main copper grades fall...