Basic knowledge of scrap copper: What are the specific sources of scrap copper (1)

Scrap copper source

One is new scrap copper, which is the waste generated in the copper industry. The metallurgical plant is called "home scrap" or "runaround". The scrap copper scrap produced by the copper processing plant and the direct return to the supply plant are called "industrial waste copper", "spot waste copper" ("prompt") or new waste copper.

The other type is old scrap copper, which is discarded after use, such as old scrap copper that was abandoned or dismantled from old buildings and transportation systems. Copper and copper-based materials, whether exposed or encapsulated in the final product, can be recycled at all stages of the product's life cycle. In general, new scrap copper accounts for more than half of the scrap copper used for regeneration. About 1/3 of all scrap copper is returned to the market in the form of refined copper after reprocessing, and the other 2/3 is reused in the form of unrefined copper or copper alloy. The premise of direct application of scrap copper is strict sorting and strict sorting. The direct application of waste copper has the advantages of simplified process, simple equipment, high recovery rate, low energy consumption, low cost and light pollution. The direct application of scrap copper is generally reflected in the level of copper regeneration in a country. In contrast, the direct use rate of waste copper in China is relatively low, about 200,000 tons per year, accounting for only 30% to 40% of the total waste copper recycling, and the production of brass processed materials is mostly operated by township enterprises. , greatly reducing economic benefits, and bring about troubles in energy consumption and environmental protection.

China's imported waste copper is mainly from the United States, Japan, Germany and Russia, of which the United States tops the list, while the United States has strict regulations on the management of scrap copper. It is introduced as a typical example of American classification standards.

In the United States, copper with a Cu content greater than 99% is usually referred to as No. 1 copper. No. 1 copper can be directly remelted and used without further processing. Copper with a minimum copper content of 94.5% is called No. 2 copper. Copper must be remelted before it can be used in the form of metallic copper. Other common classifications include leaded brass, brass and low-zinc brass, cartridge brass, automotive heat sinks, high-copper brass (red brass), and a wide range of high-speed cutting brass. The chips are directly regenerated and used to rework brass products in the form of alloys of the same composition. For manufacturers, the main advantage is to significantly reduce the cost of net metal consumption. Scrap copper is also used in the production of copper chemicals, but it is not easy to obtain quantitative data.