Escort Lighting: Why Use Copper Outdoor Lighting Fixtures?

	The range of copper’s natural colors make an attractive appearance during various stages of weathering. In industrial and seacoast atmospheres, the patina takes five to seven years and in rural areas, 10 to 14 years. In our landscape lighting fixtures, weathering allows the lights to gradually blend into their surroundings, an effect that is especially attractive with our many designs inspired by plants and flowers.
	Natural corrosion resistance permits its use in a wide array of environments. During the early stage of weathering, copper oxide conversion films are formed on the exposed copper. As weathering continues, cuprous and cupric sulfide films are interspersed with the initial oxide films. These sulfide conversion films range from brown to black. As they build, the exposed surface darkens appreciably. Continued exposure results in the conversion of the sulfide films to the basic copper sulfate patina. This familiar greenish patina acts as a protective film that inhibits further corrosion.
	Each year in the USA nearly as much copper is recovered from recycling material as derived from mining new ore.
	Unlike plastics and other materials, copper is unaffected by sunlight and will not embrittle with age, so it can’t crack or crumble after years of installation. Copper light fixtures are among the most beautiful and durable for landscaping and nightscaping applications.
	The first copper deposit was worked extensively in Granby, Connecticut. It operated from 1705 to 1770.
	When Columbus sailed to America, his ships, the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, had copper skins below the water to extend hull life.
	Only about 12% of the known copper reserves have been mined throughout history.
	The Statue of Liberty contains 179,000 pounds of copper.

Source: The Copper Development Association, Inc.
Visit the Copper Page on the web at www.copper.org