Copper, a versatile and essential metal, has been an integral part of human civilization for millennia. Renowned for its conductivity, malleability, and corrosion resistance, copper is one of the most widely used metals in various industries, ranging from construction to electronics.
In its natural state, copper exhibits a distinct reddish-orange hue, making it easily recognizable. This metal occurs naturally in the Earth's crust and is typically extracted through mining processes. Copper ore, primarily composed of copper sulphide or oxide minerals, undergoes refining to produce pure copper metal, which is then further processed into various forms to meet specific industrial requirements.

One of copper's most notable properties is its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity. This characteristic makes copper an indispensable component in electrical wiring, circuitry, and telecommunications infrastructure. Its conductivity enables efficient transmission of electricity and heat, making it ideal for applications where energy efficiency is paramount.

The formation of mill scales occurs when iron oxides on the surface of the metal react with oxygen in the air. This reaction produces a layer of iron oxide compounds, primarily magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (Fe2O3), which adhere to the surface of the steel or iron product. Mill scale typically appears as a dark, rough, and flaky coating on the surface of the metal, ranging in thickness from a few micrometres to several millimetres, depending on the duration and intensity of the rolling process.