Why is copper commonly used in refrigeration systems, particularly in heat exchangers?

Copper is prized in refrigeration systems, particularly for heat exchangers, primarily due to its high thermal conductivity. The efficiency of a heat exchanger largely depends on its ability to transfer heat between fluids. Copper's exceptional thermal conductivity allows it to quickly and effectively transfer heat, facilitating efficient temperature control within the refrigeration system.

This property ensures that heat is absorbed from the refrigerant as it evaporates, and later rejected to the environment as it condenses, optimizing the overall performance of the refrigeration cycle. In applications where rapid heat exchange is crucial, such as in cooling and heating processes, copper's ability to conduct heat makes it an ideal material for heat exchangers.

While other factors like lightweight construction, cost, and resistance to corrosion are also significant, they do not match the critical role that thermal conductivity plays in the efficiency and effectiveness of heat transfers in refrigeration systems.