India is one of the countries which have a rich source of metals available in it. Two such metals are steel and copper. Both are metals that are used for various products.
One such product is copper wires which are made by using a mixture Or an alloy of copper and steel. We can find products made out of these two metals very often in our day-to-day lives.
Key Takeaways
- Steel is a metal alloy composed primarily of iron and carbon and is used extensively in construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
- Copper is a chemical element that is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and is commonly used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and coinage.
- Steel is stronger and more durable than copper, while copper is more malleable and has better thermal conductivity.
Steel vs Copper
Metal copper is naturally available by nature in its pure form, and there is no need for any metals to be mixed to forming this metal; and on the other hand, metal steel is not metal which available naturally and it is an alloy that is it made with other naturally existing metals.
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Steel is an alloy that is made up of mixing two or more metals for its formation to be used in making different things. There is a presence of iron with an ample amount of carbon which is present in this metal. Initially, it is made up of more than two or more metals.
Copper is metal which ductile. When this metal is in its purest form, it is malleable, does not have any spark, and is non-magnetic and soft to touch. Copper is often observed to be a constituent used for making many alloys.
There is a high presence of this metal used for making war machines, wires, lumbering machines, etc.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Steel | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | It is an alloy. | This metal has natural existence. |
| Conductivity | This metal has lesser conductivity of heat and electricity. | This metal has a high conductivity of heat and electricity. |
| Feature | This metal is strong and nonmagnetic. | This metal is ductile and malleable. |
| Characteristic | This metal can be turned into any size and shape. | This metal can be turned into thin but really strong wires. |
| Coins | This metal is never used for making coins. | This metal is used widely for making coins in so many countries. |
| Uses | This metal is used for making steel utensils, doors, crockery, etc. | This metal is used for making wires, automobile machines, etc. |
What is Steel?
Steel is an alloy that is made up of mixing two or more metals for its formation to be used in making different things. There is a presence of iron with an ample amount of carbon which is present in this metal.
Initially, it is made up of more than two or more metals. This metal is considered really efficient for construction purposes.
Since there is a presence of iron in steel, it can rust when it comes in contact with dust. Steel is said to be a conductor of electricity. Steel is said to be magnetic, and when this metal is heated, it can be turned into any kind of shape and size as per a person’s convenience.
There is a unique magnetic property that is present in steel which makes it recyclable.
This kind of metal is often observed to be used in the making of automobile things, steel doors, steel handles, vessels made out of steel, furniture as well as crockery.
When this metal is allowed or mixed with chromium, it is essential to be used for surgical implants. Steel can be healthy and carry out fatigue.
What is Copper?
Copper is metal which ductile. When this metal is in its purest form, it is malleable, does not have any spark, and is non-magnetic and soft to touch. Copper is often observed to be a constituent used for making many alloys.
There is a high presence of this metal used for making war machines, wires, plumbing machines, etc.
This metal occurs naturally and is not need to be made by mixing any two metals. The chemical symbol for copper is Cu. The atomic number of copper is 29. This metal is said to be corrosion resistant.
This metal can rust in the air and slowly corrode by mixing with air particles and gets dark. Once it’s done, it forms a layer of carbon oxide.
Copper has a high conductivity towards heat and electricity. This metal has a feature that makes it possible to convert itself into thin wires used for wiring. Though these wires are thin, they are pretty strong.
When a copper vessel erodes, it results from intoxicant copper, which is not healthy for cooking food.
Main Differences Between Steel and Copper
- Steel is an alloyed metal that is present by mixing two or more metals, and on the other hand, copper is a metal that has natural existence.
- Steel is strong and non-magnetic by nature, and on the other hand, copper is malleable, ductile, and a great conductor of electricity.
- There is more ductility in steel than compared to copper. There is less ductility in copper than compared to steel.
- Steel is used for making steel utensils, doors, crockery, etc., and on the other hand, copper is used for making wires, automobile machines, etc.
- Steel is not used for making any kind of coins, and on the other hand, copper is used for making coins in many countries.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921509305007070
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924013615000904
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
