What is Copper?

Copper is a element and an mineral essential to our everyday lives. It is a important industrial metal because of its high malleability, ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

On the Periodic Table of Elements, Copper is element number 29. It is considered a non-ferrous, semi-precious, malleable metal with numerous applications in areas such as electronics and electricity, building construction, plumbing and industry, transportation, architecture and consumer products.

Copper has an infinite life since it can be continuously recycled from one product to another. Scrap copper is used by manufacturers in all types of products ranging from computers to motors.

Scrap Copper prices depend on various factors when it comes to pricing, one important factor is the grade of copper you have, below is a explanation of 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. This unalloyed and uncoated copper is free of paint, insulation and other impurities, making it easy to recycle or reuse. Copper piping is not included within the classification. Bare bright copper is no thinner than 16 gauge in thickness – which is of #1 copper quality.

#1 Copper
#1 copper is the second most valuable grade. This category is similar to bare bright copper but has traces of oxidation. Examples of scrap materials in this grade include clippings, bus bars and clean copper tubing free of insulation, fittings, solder and paint.

#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 any other type of tarnishing are classified as #2 copper. As long as the damage is not extensive, copper fittings with oxidation are generally accepted.

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

#2 Insulated Wire
This category consists of an 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 from sending their copper waste 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. Normally copper can be classified as either just copper cable or copper metal.

Copper Recycling for Commercial Businesses in the UK

We collect, purchase and recycle non-ferrous metals including copper from businesses across Kent. If your business produces any of the mentioned scrap waste, sending them to recycling centres can be an additional source of profit for your organisation.

Other Copper Types and Usages

Tin Coat Wire, THHN Wire, Romex® wire, Computer Wire, #2 Copper Wire, Insulated Copper Wire, Dry Bright Wire, Shinny Copper Wire, #1 Scrap Copper, #2 Scrap Copper, Type K Copper Pipe, Type L Copper Pipe, Type M Copper Pipe, Copper DWV Piping, Copper Turnings, Copper Radiators, Compo Rads, Electric Motors, Electrical Wire, Roofing, Plumbing, Industrial Machinery, Commercial Waste, Power Generation, Power Transmission, Power Distribution, Telecommunications, Electronics Circuitry, Electrical Equipment, Electromagnets, Vacuum Tubes, Cathode Ray Tubes, Magnetrons, Copper Coil, Copper Motor Rotors, Induction Motors, Roofs, Flashings, Rain Gutters, Downspouts, Domes, Spires, Vaults, Doors, Wall Cladding, Building Expansion Joints, Radio Frequency Shielding, Handrails, Bathroom Fixtures, Counter Tops, Brazing, Soldering, Copper Sheathing, Copper Utensils, Antimicrobial Copper-Alloy, Electric Cars, Copper Tubing.

Thanet Metal Recycling pay top prices for Copper.

Our scrap yard is situated in Broadstairs, Kent.

We also collect metals from all surrounding areas :
Dover, Ramsgate, Margate, Canterbury, Deal, Folkstone, Whitstable

Call us today on: 01843 867416 / Mob : 07594 866475

Different types of scrap metal

Further reading about Copper:
Copper – Wikipedia