Common Types of Scrap Copper
Scrap copper is one of the most valuable and widely used recycling materials. It is malleable, ductile and highly conductive and is used for a variety of purposes in manufacturing and building, as well as in the electrical and telecommunications sectors. Because of its malleability and ductility, the most common types of scrap copper that are recycled are copper wire, cables and other copper pipe fittings such as tubes and joints.
Copper wire is sought after in the scrap industry because it is highly conductive and quite malleable. It can be easily bent and cut and is used widely in the electrical sector. Thin wire is often used to create very fine connections in electronics and machines. Copper wires are categorized into four categories; solid, stranded, shielded, and unshielded.
Cables are composed of multiple strands of copper wire covered in plastic or rubber and are used mostly in the electrical sector to conduct electricity from one point to another. Some of the most common types are coaxial cable, composite cable, power cable, submersible cable, and telephone cable.
Copper Pipes are typically sold in either 20-foot lengths or 4-foot lengths and is used for a variety of different purposes including water supply lines and drainage systems. Copper pipes can also be found in air conditioning units and refrigerators. There are different types of copper pipes such as rigid, soft, and type L (heavy wall) copper pipe. Rigid is the most common type of copper pipe and is also known as type M (medium wall).
Copper Fittings are the connectors that join the copper pipes together. This can be done through soldering, brazing, welding or compression fittings. Some of the most common types of copper fittings include elbows, tees, couplers, connectors, bushings and unions.
Scrap copper is one of the most recycled and sought-after materials. The most common types of copper being recycled are copper wires, cables, pipe fittings and copper fittings. All of these materials can be recycled and reused in manufacturing, building and electrical and telecommunications sectors. As copper is so widely used, it is an important material to be recycled in order to keep costs down and conserve the earth’s natural resources.
