Copper Outdoor Lights

Copper Outdoor Lights - The use of copper in outdoor lights

Currently, most quality outdoor lights are made of copper.  In fact, copper is one of the most used and re-used metals.  It is also an excellent choice for artistic, high-quality outdoor lights.

Copper outdoor lights have very good natural corrosion resistance that permit their use in a wide array of environments. During the early stage of weathering, copper oxide conversion films are formed on the exposed copper of the copper outdoor lights. As weathering continues, cuprous and cupric sulfide films are interspersed with the initial oxide films. These sulfide conversion films range from brown to black. As they build, the exposed surface of the copper outdoor lights darkens appreciably. Continued exposure results in the conversion of the sulfide films to the basic copper sulfate patina. This familiar greenish patina acts as a protective film that inhibits further corrosion of your copper outdoor lights.

Unlike plastics and other materials, copper is unaffected by sunlight and will not embrittle with age, so it can’t crack or crumble after years of installation. Copper outdoor lights are among the most beautiful and durable for landscaping applications.

Copper is an essential nutrient to all high plants and animals. In animals, including humans, it is found primarily in the bloodstream, as a co-factor in various enzymes, and in copper-based pigments. In sufficient amounts, copper can be poisonous and even fatal to organisms.

Copper has played a significant part in the history of mankind, which has used the easily accessible uncompounded metal for nearly 10,000 years. Civilizations in places like Iraq, China, Egypt, Greece and the Sumerian cities all have early evidence of using copper, Britain and the United States also have extensive histories of copper use and mining. During the Roman Empire, copper was principally mined on Cyprus, hence the origin of the name of the metal as Cyprium, "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to Cuprum. A number of countries, such as Chile and the United States, still have sizeable reserves of the metal which are extracted through large open mines. Nevertheless, the price of copper rose rapidly, increasing 500% from a 60-year low in 1999, largely due to increased demand. This metal has come into the limelight on account of high volatility in prices. According to New Scientist (May 26, 2007) the earth has an estimated 61 years supply of copper left.