Scrap copper includes waste materials generated during the copper industry production process and copper products discarded after use, such as scrap copper dismantled from buildings.

Scrap copper can be divided into primary scrap copper, new scrap copper and old scrap copper according to the scrap copper generated at different stages.

1. Primary scrap copper

Primary scrap copper refers to substandard anodes, cathodes and billets generated during processing and production. Primary scrap copper is generally returned to the previous step and returned to the converter or anode furnace for electrolytic refining to achieve reuse. It generally does not flow into the scrap copper market.

2. New scrap copper

New scrap copper is new scrap generated during the processing process or scrap copper generated inside the factory. The difference between new scrap copper and primary scrap copper is that new scrap copper may be doped during alloying or covering.

3. Old scrap copper

Old scrap copper refers to scrap copper used by consumers, discarded or generated outside (production enterprises). Old scrap copper is scrap copper that occupies a huge market in the field of scrap copper recycling. It has huge potential resources, but it is also difficult to handle.

The difficulties in handling old copper scrap mainly lie in the following points:

1. Low copper content 2. Unpredictability, supply changes every day. 3. Dispersed and not concentrated, it may be scattered in various places.

Scrap copper can be classified not only according to different stages, but also according to the copper content in the scrap copper. So what are the categories of scrap copper according to the copper content? Let's take a look:

1. No. 1 scrap copper

No. 1 scrap copper refers to scrap copper with a copper content of not less than 99% and a minimum diameter or thickness of 1.6mm. No. 1 scrap copper includes cable wires, "heavy" scrap copper (cutting chips, punching chips, bus poles) and wire knots.

2. No. 2 scrap copper

No. 2 scrap copper refers to scrap copper with a minimum copper content of 96%, mainly in the form of wire, heavy scrap copper or knots, and includes several other restrictions.

3. Low copper

The copper content of low copper is as low as 92%, and its composition is mainly pure copper. Low copper refers to copper whose surface is covered with paint or coating or has been severely oxidized, mainly including boilers, teapots, drain pipes, water outlets, etc., which usually contain a small amount of copper alloy.

4. Refined brass products

Refined brass products refer to products with a copper content of as low as 61.3%, mainly in the form of copper alloys. This type includes various types of mixed alloy scrap copper, and other restrictions are relatively few.

5. Copper-containing scrap

The copper content of copper-containing scrap is relatively low. This type includes all raw materials with low copper content. Such as slag, sludge, slag, powder and some other waste materials.