Copper and copper based alloy are widely used in many environment and application because of their excellent corrosion resistance properties, which is coupled with other desirable properties, such as superior electrical and thermal conductivity, ease of fabricating and joining, wide range of attainable mechanical properties, and resistance to biofouling.

Copper corrodes at negligible rates in unpolluted air, water, and deaerated nonoxidizing acids. Copper alloy artifacts have been found in nearly pristine condition after having been buried in the earth for thousands of years, and copper roofing in rural atmospheres has been found to corrode at rates of less than 0.4 mm in 200 years.

Copper based alloys resist many saline solutions, alkaline solutions, and organic chemicals. However, copper is susceptible to more rapid attack in oxidizing acid, oxidizing heavy-metal salt, sulfur, ammonia NH3, and some sulfur and NH3 compound.

Copper and copper alloys provide superior service in many of the applications included in the following general classifications: