Copper strips are used in the many things around us each day, such as our household electronic items and large machinery. They are also great materials because they conduct electricity very well and manage heat well. That means they help devices turn without overheating. Although, when selecting a copper strip for your needs, its thickness should be the most important consideration. The thickness has a major influence on the performance, durability and price of the copper strip.
How to Select the Appropriate Thickness for Your Copper Strip
Selecting the proper thickness of copper strip is extremely crucial for the success of your project. The thickness affects many of the electrical (how much electricity the strip can handle), mechanical (how strong), chemical (resistance to rust), and physical (how flexible) properties of the strip. It is wise to keep some key points in your mind while you are selecting the ideal thickness for your copper strip.
Optimum Thickness — Maximum Performance
Choosing the correct thickness makes your project will work better. If the strip of copper is too thin, it may not be conductive enough. This may cause several issues, including scorching heat, power failure, or burning fire which is highly dangerous. On the contrary, if the copper strip is too thick it can become difficult to bend it and it may crack or snap if you attempt to shape it. Thicker copper strips also tend to be more expensive, which is likely an important consideration when you are on a budget for your project.
How do you measure the thickness of a copper strip?
For reference, copper strips are measured in millimeters (mm), or microns (μm). A micron is an extremely small unit; one-thousandth of a millimeter. A strip that is bigger, in terms of the thickness, means that it will have less resistance to the flow of electricity. So thinner copper strips are more resistive than thicker (meaning they do not allow electricity to pass through as easily). The thickness also affects how heavy the strip is, how well it bends and how it handles heat.