Copper Types

What is copper?

Copper is a element and an mineral essential to our everyday lives. It is a important metal because of its high malleability and ductility. Also its electrical and thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion. On the periodic table of elements, copper is element number 29. Copper is a non-ferrous, semi-precious, malleable metal. Used in applications such as electronics and electricity, building construction, plumbing and industry. Also used in transportation, architecture and consumer products. Copper has an infinite life since it can be recycled from one product to another. Scrap copper is used by manufacturers in all types of products from computers to motors. Scrap copper prices depend on various factors when it comes to pricing. An important factor is the grade of copper, below are the different scrap copper types and grades.

What are the different types of scrap copper?

Dry Bright Copper Wire
Clean Flat Copper Electro
Clean Copper Tube
New Copper Tube
Burnt Wire No 1
Greasy Bright Wire
Heavy Copper 98%
Tinned Copper 98%
Heavy Copper 95%
Burnt No 2 Wire 94%
Laquered Wire 94%
Thin Gauge Tinned Rope Wire 94%
Copper Tanks (Element Free) 92%
Braziery Copper 88%
Lead Washed Grey Braziery (Steel Free)
Copper Elements (From Tanks)

What are the different grades of copper?

Bare bright copper
Bare bright copper is the most valuable type of scrap copper. Unalloyed and uncoated copper that is free of paint, insulation and other impurities. Copper piping is not included within the classification. Bare bright copper is no thinner than 16 gauge in thickness.

#1 Copper
#1 copper is the second most valuable grade. This category is like bare bright copper but has traces of oxidation. Examples include clippings, bus bars, clean copper tubing free of insulation and fittings.

#2 Copper
#2 copper grade is scrap copper that has a dirty appearance. The copper material content in this category should be between 94% to 96%. Any copper pipe or unalloyed wire that has paint, solder, coating or tarnishing is #2 copper. If damage is not extensive, copper fittings with oxidation are generally accepted.

#1 Insulated wire
Scrap copper of this type are unalloyed, clean, untinned and uncoated. Plastic wire insulation with a thickness of 16 or above is acceptable for this category. Insulation does not need to be stripped.

#2 Insulated wire
Unalloyed copper wire with a gauge thinner than 16, including double, plastic or heavy insulation. Electronics wiring, extension cords and gadgets are acceptable for this category type. Insulated wires with nickel and tin coatings are usually classed as number 2. Wire should look like #2 copper grade when the insulation is removed.

Copper is one of the most valuable recyclable metals

UK businesses can gain extra profit recycling copper to trusted scrap metal merchants. Scrap copper can be reused and re-purposed without any loss to the metal’s quality. Its estimated around 80 per cent of all copper used is re-purposed and recycled. Copper is classified as either copper cable or copper metal.

Copper recycling for commercial businesses in the UK

We collect, buy and recycle non-ferrous metals including copper from businesses across Kent. If your business produces any scrap metal copper, recycling can be an extra source of profit for your organisation.