Copper is a transition metal of reddish color and metallic brightness that, along with silver and gold are the best conductors of electricity. Thanks to its high electrical conductivity, ductility and malleability, it is the material most commonly used to manufacture electrical cables and other electrical and electronic components.

Copper forms alloys to improve mechanical performance and is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. A large number of alloys can be made with copper, which generally have better mechanical properties, although they have lower electrical conductivity. The most important are known as bronzes and brasses.

Copper is a durable metal because it can be recycled an almost unlimited number of times without losing its mechanical properties. It was one of the first metals to be used by man in prehistory and is currently the third most used metal in theworld, after steel and aluminum.