Cuivre — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

8.96 g/cm³Density

1085 °CMelting

~400 W/m·KK

100% by definitionIACS

A1 metalFire

metalsFamily

Cuivre is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under metals: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Cuivre with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Cuivre

Cuivre (Cu) is a family of grades whose density 8.96 g/cm³, heat band 1085 °C, and fire letter A1 metal.

What “the material” actually is

Cuivre is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry Cu, density 8.96 g/cm³, heat band 1085 °C.

This atlas treats Cuivre as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: ~400 W/m·K. Insulation score 6/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: A1 metal. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: Chalcolithic / industrial electrorefining 1860s, Cyprus / global. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: aluminum.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 78/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Résistance 40

Résistance à la chaleur 55

Performance au feu 76

Isolation 6

Ouvrabilité 88

Circularité 78

Questions fréquentes

Is Cuivre non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1 metal. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Cuivre insulate?

Thermal mark 6/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~400 W/m·K.

What is the density band?

8.96 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: Chalcolithic / industrial electrorefining 1860s (Cyprus / global).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 78/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

1085 °C

What should it be paired with?

aluminum: The lighter conductor when cross-section is free.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Icônes

Statue of Liberty skin

France / US · 1886

Statue of Liberty skin is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

Edison wiring

United States · 1880s

Edison wiring is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

IACS bar

International · 1913

IACS bar is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

Chuquicamata

Chile · 1910s–

Chuquicamata is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

Bronze Age palstave

Europe · 2nd mill. BCE

Bronze Age palstave is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

Heat pipe

Global · 1960s–

Heat pipe is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

Cu roof patina

Europe · historic

Cu roof patina is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

Busbar

Global · 20th c.–

Busbar is a reference point in the public image of Cuivre.

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Duels

Même famille, autres notes — choisissez un duel.

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Cuivre vs Aluminium

Face à face →

Matériaux proches

Voisins les plus proches sur les six axes de l’atlas.

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Plus dans Métaux

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🔶Cuivre

Repères