Letter 28026

Copper waterfall [Nevada] 

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I am planning to build a copper waterfall My question is what are the long term effects of water on the surface of the copper and what color can I expext the surface to evolve to. I would like the surface to maintain a copper color or dark appearence. I fear it might turn green I will be using purified water in this element. Thank you for any support on this matter.....

Lindy Cattaneo
Student - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A

I think your fears are justified. Copper which is exposed to the elements usually turns green. I believe the green patina is a copper carbonate resulting from exposure to the air, but mine is a simple observation rather than a real chemical explanation.

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

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