Understanding the Different Grades of Scrap Copper

Grade #1 Copper

Grade #1 copper is clean in appearance and usually takes the form of computer segments, clean copper tubing, insulation and bus bars. It is unalloyed and uncoated and usually the most profitable type of copper. 

Grade #2 Copper

Grade #2 copper has a dirty appearance. It consists of unalloyed wire or pipe that has been tarnished by paint, fittings, solder or other coating. This metal needs to contain a minimum of 94-96% copper content to be considered #2 copper. Copper with a small amount of oxidation is usually accepted at scrap metal recycling centres.

Bare Bright Copper 

Bare bright copper is the most valuable grade of copper and is oftentimes referred to as ‘bright and shiny copper’. It is clean, untreated, unalloyed shiny wire. The metal must be free from any impurities for it to be considered bare bright copper but is the first type of copper metal recycling plants looks for.

Grade 1 Insulated Wire

Grade #1 insulated wire consists of untinned, uncoated and unalloyed copper wire that is plastic insulated. This wire should closely resemble bare bright copper once it is stripped of insulation, although stripping isn’t necessary. 

Grade 2 Insulated Wire

Grade #2 insulated wire is unalloyed wire that is coated with a thick or double layer of plastic insulation. It is generally used for telecommunications wiring but can also be found as extension and outlet cords. It is acceptable for this wire to have a small amount of corrosion. 

What happens to scrap copper? 

The copper is separated into two categories: unalloyed scrap and alloyed scrap that has experienced oxidation or has been coated. Unalloyed copper is melted into molten state where its purity will be verified. If the copper is contaminated, it will be purified. It is then shaped into solid ingots. 

Contaminated scrap is melted using electrolysis to purify it before it is shaped into ingots. It is then ready for reuse.