![Illustration depicting many uses of copper products](images-large/8.jpg)
The cathodes are shipped to various production plants to be made into rod, wire, cable, tube, special tubular shapes, sheet, strip and plate. During production of shaped copper materials, various other metals are added to give copper additional properties. These alloying elements add strength, ductility, durability, corrosion protection and other properties. There are over 800 copper alloys registered in the United States. All of these product forms of copper and copper alloys are used to make products we use every day. Copper is an important material for improving our quality of life.