Copper foil tape is conductive tape made from a thin strip of copper, typically backed with an adhesive. It can be used in a variety of applications, including EMI shielding and making EL sensors. It also makes a great way to create simple circuit patterns on unusual substrates for creative and artistic purposes.
Copper foil is a very conductive material that is extremely malleable and can be applied in a number of ways. It is often available in rolls of different lengths and can be easily cut to size using standard scissors or specialist cutting tools.
It can be used to make simple circuits, especially for sensing applications. This is because it can conduct low levels of electricity around a circuit.
If you're a hobbyist, you might be familiar with the concept of using copper foil to help with stained glass projects. It's a very handy tool to have for this purpose as it is able to be wrapped around the pieces of glass and acts as a handy guideline for when you come to solder them together.
Another popular use of copper tape is in the home and garden. Slugs and snails love to eat copper, so applying a strip of copper tape to plant pots, can act as a barrier to keep them out.
You can find copper foil tape in many hardware and gardening stores, or even at electronic stores if you're looking for something for your electronics. It's also sometimes used to deter slugs from certain areas of a garden, as well as on the trunks of fruit trees and shrubs.
Stained glass artists often use copper foil as a way to stick the separate pieces of glass together before they're assembled into their final piece. It's a fairly simple process, and once the glass has been dipped into a mixture of solder and water, it will bond very securely with the copper tape.
Some people have found that they can use copper foil on walls to create interesting designs and patterns. This is a particularly effective technique for creating geometric designs, but there are no limitations on how you can adapt and shape the copper foil.
It's easy to cut out the shapes you need and you can also add different colors of paint or other materials to give your design a unique look. You might also consider using washi tape, or simply masking tape to achieve similar results.
There are a few concerns about the safety of copper foil, but in general, it is a very safe material and will not harm your device. It is also very conductive, so it's an excellent choice for sensitive electronic devices like EL sensors.
