Copper, an Important Metal in Our Lives Along with its Scrap

by Avadhesh Sharma SEO Analyst

Copper, or cuprum in Latin, is a chemical element. It has a lustrous metallic appearance, which is reddish-orange in colour. Though the metal in its freshly exposed surface bears a pinkish hue. It features the characteristics of being soft, ductile and malleable. Also copper is a very good conductor of heat and electricity. Thus, this metal is used as a construction material and for making alloys for various purposes.

Copper occurs in directly usable form in nature. This makes this metal very common in various applications. Again, copper alloyed with different metals serves many purposes. Examples of copper alloys like sterling silver are used for making jewellery, cupronickel is used for making coins and marine hardware, constantan (another kind of alloy of copper and nickel) is used in thermocouples and strain gauges.

Copper Applications

The copper metal is primarily used in manufacturing electrical wires, plumbing and roofing and other industrial pieces of machinery. Since copper is usable in its native form, it is used as pure copper. But in few cases, copper needs to be made stronger, for which it is alloyed with bronze or brass.

• Wire and Cable

Among all other available metals, copper is always preferred more for being a good conductor of electricity. Copper wires are used in transmitting, generating and distributing power, telecommunication and many more. For dealers in copper, electrical wiring is their most important market.

Along with the wiring works, copper wire scrap us also traded much profitably.

• Electronics Devices

Copper is used for electromagnets, cathode ray tubes, vacuum tubes and magnetrons in a microwave oven. For better heat dissipation property, copper is used in heat exchangers and heat sinks. For superior heat conductivity, copper replaces aluminium in integrated and printed circuit boards.

• Electric Motors

Motors and motor-driven systems account for a large amount of energy consumption. Increased cross-section and mass of a copper coil, along with being a good conductor of electricity, the copper helps reducing energy consumption.

Scraps

Literally scraps are leftovers in a very small amount from any substance. These leftover materials are recyclable. Scrap items bear monetary value, especially when scraps are recovered from metals. Scraps can be originated both from residential and business environments. A scrap of metals is taken to scrap yards for further processing.

Scraps are also traded for various business purposes. Among the scraps of any metals, copper wire scrap wholesalers face the highest demand. The copper industry earns some extra pennies from the copper scraps as they are required in almost every industry and highly recyclable.

Selling Copper Wire scrap

Copper is considered for yielding the highest return compared to other metals which can be recyclable and used in scrap form. But selling copper scraps needs few points to be remembered.

• The copper wire scraps should not have any insulator or other components attached to them.

• Scrap copper wire gathered must weigh at least 20 pounds.

• Copper wire scraps are best sold through a recycling centre for bidding a bigger price.

The following steps are followed by Copper Wire Scrap Suppliers in India before selling them.

Step 1: The copper wire scaps should be separated into three groups. The third grade should include copper foils and thinner copper pieces. The second grade includes corroded and tarnished copper or the ones that have paint on them. The first grade copper scraps contain only clean copper scraps which are mostly demanded.

Step 2: The prices of copper fluctuates quite often. Before selling, one should consult the recycling or scrap centres for the prevailing rates.

Step 3: Remove any kind of metallic attachments or insulations to the copper scrap for claiming a higher bid.

Step 4: While weighing the copper wires notice if anything is hanging from the edge or if there is any other discrepancy. After the clerk weighs the copper scraps, receive the payment accordingly