Different Scrap Copper Grades That Can Be Recycled

• 11 May 2023
• by Melbourne Metal Recycling
• 0 Comments

Copper is one of the non-ferrous metals that are in demand today from recyclers. It has an infinite life since it can be continuously recycled from one product to another. Manufacturers will use scrap copper in all types of products ranging from motors to computers. As a result, you can earn extra funds by recycling it. However, the price that you will receive for it will depend upon the grade of it. For this reason, we provide you with an explanation of the different scrap copper grades in the following.

Bare Bright Copper

Scrap dealers prefer this type of scrap copper above all of the rest on this list. It will bring in the most money since it is bare, unalloyed and uncoated cable and is at least a 16-gauge thickness. This category does not include copper piping. Also, pieces of this need to be free of insulation or other materials, and there should be no impurities, tarnish, or paint. A minimum amount of patina is acceptable.

#1 Scrap Copper

As far as recycling is concerned, this grade of copper is the second most valuable. In order to earn this classification, the copper should be from clippings, bus bars, wire of a minimum of one-sixteenth in diameter and commutator segments. It also needs to have a clean appearance and be uncoated and unalloyed. Clean copper pipe or tubing also may qualify as long as either is free of paint, insulation, solder, fittings or other elements. On top of all of this, only trace amounts of oxidation or a few spots of corrosion are acceptable.

#2 Scrap Copper

This type of copper scrap is a bit dirty in appearance. Various unalloyed copper wires, solid pieces of copper and copper pipes that contain paint, solder or some type of coating, fit in this category. Scrap dealers rank this third as far as recycle value.

#1 Insulated Wire

This grade of copper scraps included copper cable or wires that is unalloyed, non-tinned, uncoated, and clean. The insulation on it should be plastic and its gauge should be 16 gauge or over with all of its ends snipped off. Even though you do not need to strip the insulation off, the wire inside it needs to be close to the bare bright copper.

#2 Insulated Wire

Unalloyed wire that is thinner than 16 gauge is in this grade. Also, it can be plastic, double and heavy insulation on this wire. The wiring in telecommunication setups, extension cords and outlets are examples of this grade of copper scrap; a certain amount of corrosion or coating is acceptable. The wire inside the insulation should look similar to that of #2 copper wire.

For further facts about the different scrap copper grades, consult with Melbourne Metal Recyclers. We are experts in this subject since we buy many types of non-ferrous and ferrous scrap metal from people in the course of our business dealings all throughout the year.