Advantages of the use of recycled copper in building construction
High percentages of recovery, a material that once recycled retains the same properties as the extract and a long-lasting use in the construction field. These are the good news on copper.
Numbers of recycling
The world average of the recycling of copper is 33.8% which translates into a saving of atmospheric emissions of 900,000 tons of CO2. According to the latest data published by the International Copper Study Group, - organization of reference for the statistical analysis on the extraction mining, recycling, and reuse of copper-44% of that used in Europe comes from the recycling chain.
Therefore you are unable to meet European demand for copper, despite increased by 250% since the sixties, and at the same time decreases the environmental impact related to the extraction of virgin materials. Surprisingly, even in the Italian context, there are no particular impediments to the recycling and you can count on very high recovery rates which combine well with the use in the construction field.
Uses in Construction
Marco Crespi Italian Copper Institute points out that "the recycled copper has the exact same chemical and physical characteristics of the" primary ", ie from mining. The applications in the field of construction are many, just think about the architecture and to plant. "
In the architectural field "can be used to make roofs or facades: is applied in the form of slabs. Many historic buildings have a green cover and often it is copper, which over time has been covered with a green patina, of course. " Also alloys such as brass, bronze and copper-nickel are used in the building, but only for the facades of the buildings and not for the roofs. "Finally-adds Crespi - is used to make gutters, downspouts and various plumber elements, such as flashings»
Other applications
It is found in electrical where "all the wires that conduct electricity are made of copper and this is due to its excellent electrical conductivity, second only to silver and far superior to that of aluminum," explains Crespi.
Continues by recalling the scope of sanitary plant engineering. "Copper is used for gas lines (it is inert with respect to fuels, does not burn, has tight junctions) in the heating (thermal resistant, does not age, has excellent heat conduction for radiant panels), in drinking water (it is anti-bacterial, contains no additives). "
Added to this is the use "to transport the fluids of the air conditioning and refrigeration (resistant to low temperatures and high pressures, high heat and then cold) and solar thermal systems (resistance to high temperatures and excellent heat transfer). Finally, it is used for thermo furnishings, geothermal and horizontal pipes buried. " The key word is versatility.
01/07/2012
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Translated via software
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Source:
Italian version of ReteArchitetti.it