Copper and its alloys are suitable for a wide range of applications due to their unique properties of strength, corrosion resistance, conductivity, machinability, and ductility. These properties can be additionally enhanced using variations in manufacturing processes and compositions.
Copper mining has been in progress for more than 10,000 years. It is found in the minerals malachite, azurite, cuprite, chalcopyrite and bornite. Large deposits of copper ore are located in Chile, Peru, Zaire, Zambia, and Canada and the United States.
A copper alloy is an alloy with copper as its primary metal, which is mixed with different alloying elements to provide a range of materials designed to maximize characteristics such as ductility, strength, machinability, formability, or electrical conductivity.
Evidence regarding the usage of copper has been recorded since prehistoric times. Overtime the metal’s many properties were discovered and widely applied in several sectors such as architecture, building, marine, and medical.
Unlike iron, which has been in use for over a thousand years, stainless steel is a relative newcomer to the materials science world, having first been produced only 100 years ago.
By G.P. Thomas
17 May 2013
Traditionally, there was little variance between rod rigging suppliers, but in today’s composite rigging world with a suite of composites, there are more options available in material selection and style of construction.
The use of lightweight composite materials provides a new rigging solution at one-third of the weight of rod. Designing with composites offers more options in terms of diameters, strength and stiffness.
Pendants are employed on many different types of machinery, ranging from mining equipment to cranes. Steel is the traditional material used for pendant lines.
Future Fibres has been playing a key role in the development of composite fibers for more than a decade. Building on its know-how, the company is now the standard for innovation and quality in the rigging industry.
Vibration is not a new problem on yachts and is predominantly due to rigging. Composite cables are vulnerable to vibration owing to their low weight with respect to their length and cable vibration is a sign of another underlying problem.