Description

The important position of electrical and electronic applications in the overall use of copper alloys in the USA is examined. Two specific markets are described one falling in copper consumption (telecommunications) and one rising and possibly eventually passing the other (electronics). The usage intensity of copper in electrical and electronic applications over the last 15 years shows some interesting and surprising patterns which will be shown. Coper use in the National Association of Home Builders’ SMART HOUSE program dramatizes developments in the market that is already copper’s largest building wire.