What Is a Copper Head Hammer?
As the name suggests, a copper head hammer is made of copper, a very soft metal. It is used when striking a metal part without intending to cause damage to the base material.
Steel is the hardest of the common materials used for the head, followed by soft iron, aluminum, brass, and copper, in that order. Lead and plastic are the next softest materials.
People tend to choose plastic hammers as the softer material to avoid striking wounds. However, they are not strong enough to strike nails and other objects.
In addition, the head is made of copper material, which has the characteristic of not generating sparks even when the hammer is struck forcefully. It can be safely used at sites where flammable gases are present nearby. Explosion-proof hammers are designed for safe use in workplaces where flammable liquids are handled.
Uses of Copper Head Hammers
The softness of copper is an inherent characteristic, making it frequently used for shaping exteriors. It is suitable for working with materials susceptible to damage from forceful blows, particularly in tasks involving the repair of surface shapes like stone and concrete.
Additionally, due to its malleability during striking, copper is valuable for tasks such as finishing mold manufacturing, shaping, repairing, and correcting. For example, work on body parts and around drive shafts is one such example. Copper head hammers are frequently used to prevent damage to threaded parts, such as spindle nuts, which are of particularly delicate construction.
Because the hammer does not produce sparks when struck, it is effective in chemical plants and thermal power plants where flammable gases may leak. Examples include the gas piping itself and locations with intricate piping configurations. Dust also has the potential to ignite, making it suitable for work in areas where fine particles are likely to be retained.
Because copper head hammers are composed of a nonmagnetic material, copper tools are frequently used in equipment where strong magnetic fields are generated, rather than steel or stainless steel.
When copper plates are struck, copper head hammers have the advantage of causing less deterioration to the copper plates. Other materials may induce rust and other deterioration.
How to Select Copper Head Hammers
- Head Material
A common material is a hammerhead composed of cast copper, which is inexpensive.On the other hand, for field work or frequent use, a copper-extruded product with enhanced durability is appropriate. A copper-alloy hammer is about three times stronger than cast copper head hammers. As a result, they are less likely to deform and can be used for a longer period.
Furthermore, there is a type of hammer in which the inside of the head is made of iron. Conversely, a hammer made entirely of copper is called an all-copper type. Hammers partially made of iron have improved striking performance.
If copper alone is too weak, there are also combination hammers on the market in which one side of the head is made of a different material. It is possible to choose a material harder than copper or even weaker.
- Head Replacement
The relatively soft material of copper head hammers makes them prone to deformation, such as dents and chips.Therefore, if the tool is used frequently, or if it is used to hammer into high-strength materials, a type of hammer with a replaceable hammer head can be used to keep maintenance costs low.