Storing copper in cold weather climates?

Originally Posted by johnuppy

Just a quick question regarding storing copper. I have about 1,000 lbs that I am not willing to sell at current prices. It is stored in 5 gallon pails with sealed covers. The big stuff is in blue 50 gallon plastic drums. It gets very cold up here in the winter, and I am wondering if I can store them in a storage unit or will the condensation turn it green. There is no heat in it and I think the cold and warm will start to turn it colors. Thanks in advance for the answers.

Copper patina takes years to fully form. Roofs in cities around 50 years, if you live by the coast then sooner. Most patina is copper carbonate formed from the dissolved carbon dioxide in moisture and rain water reacting with the thin oxide layer on the copper. As your containers are sealed, there will be no new moisture or even CO2 to keep making more patina.