A Guide To Copper Grades & Their Differences
Copper is one of the most valuable types of scrap metal that is widely available and is commonly recycled. Because copper sells for a higher price than other common types of metal, you can earn a good amount of cash by bringing any copper scrap that you can get your hands on to your local scrap metal recycling center. However, there are several different copper grades, each of which has a different value and will sell for a different amount when you go to recycle it. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common grades of copper scrap to give you an idea of which type you should look for to get the most value when selling scrap metal! If you are interested in selling & recycling copper in Massachusetts, please contact Allied Recycling Center today to get the best scrap prices in the region!
Common Grades of Copper Scrap
Bare Bright Copper
Bare bright copper is the most valuable grade of copper and can be recognized by its bright and shiny texture. Bare bright copper is clean, unalloyed copper stripped of insulation, paint, or any form of contamination. It’s usually sourced from electrical wiring and is referred to as the gold standard because it’s pure and easy to recycle.
#1 Copper
#1 copper is the next best grade in the copper hierarchy. It typically includes clean copper tubing, clippings, commutator segments, bus bars, and heavy-gauge wire not less than 1/16th of an inch in diameter. Although not as pure as bare bright copper, it still has significant value in the recycling industry.
#2 Copper
Next in line in the copper grade hierarchy is #2 copper. This grade of copper may appear dirty and typically comprises miscellaneous unalloyed wire, pipe, or solid metal with leftover solder, paint, or any kind of coating on it. Despite its rank in the copper food chain, it still holds notable value when recycled.
Insulated Copper Wire
Insulated copper wire has grades #1 and #2. Grade #1 is of 16-gauge thickness or larger, while grade #2 is thinner than 16-gauge. These grades often include copper wire or cable that is clean, unalloyed, uncoated, and untinned. Furthermore, prices are largely based on copper content.
Sell & Recycle Copper Scrap at Allied Recycling Center in Walpole, MA!
If you have any questions about scrap metal recycling or are looking to sell copper or any other type of scrap metal for the best prices in Southeastern Massachusetts, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Allied Recycling Center! Give us a call at (508) 668-8699 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible! Ready to sell and recycle scrap metal? Visit our facility at 1901 Main Street in Walpole, MA today!