Scrap Wiki
#2 Copper refers to copper scrap with a lower purity, containing some impurities. These impurities may include copper alloys such as brass fittings, copper with paint, burnt or oxidized copper wire, or copper materials with iron nails or other metal attachments such as fittings or valves. #2 Copper may also contain a certain proportion of insulation materials, but the total amount of these impurities should not be excessive. The recycling value of #2 Copper is lower than that of #1 Copper, as additional processing steps are required to remove impurities and non-metallic substances during the recycling process.
The main difference between #2 Copper and #1 Copper lies in their purity and impurity content. #1 Copper is almost pure copper, with no or very few impurities, and therefore has a higher recycling value. In contrast, #2 Copper contains more impurities, requires more processing to be reused, and thus has a lower value. #2 Copper contains a certain proportion of impurities, and its copper content is usually lower than that of #1 Copper, but at least 94% or higher.
It's also worth noting the difference between #2 Copper wire and #1 Copper wire. #2 Copper wire has a lower copper content than #1 Copper wire, usually containing some alloys or minor oxidation. It may also have coatings or insulation materials, which are not allowed in #1 Copper wire. However, the proportion of these impurities is usually limited. In terms of diameter, #2 Copper wire may also be classified as such due to its thinner or finer copper (e.g., copper wire with a diameter of less than 1.6 mm). Due to the presence of more impurities, the recycling value of #2 Copper wire is usually lower than that of #1 Copper wire, as additional processing steps are required before melting.
In the ISRI classification, #2 Copper wire is called Birch, which is defined as non-alloyed copper wire with a copper content of 96% (minimum 94%). It should not contain the following components: copper wire with excessive lead and tin, soldered copper wire, brass and bronze wire, excessive oil, iron, and non-metallic materials, burnt copper wire, insulation materials, thin copper wire, and brittle copper wire burned in the fire. #2 Copper materials are called Cliff, which is defined as non-alloyed copper scrap with a copper content of 96% (minimum 94%). It should not contain the following components: copper wire with excessive lead and tin, soldered copper wire, brass and bronze, excessive oil, steel, and non-metallic materials, copper pipes with non-copper fittings or residual copper pipes, burnt copper wire, insulation materials, thin copper wire, and brittle copper wire burned in the fire.
In routine non-ferrous metal transactions, #2 Copper wire (Birch) and #2 Copper materials (Cliff) are often mixed and sold together, and this scrap is often referred to as Birch-Cliff, or #2 Copper, in international scrap trade.
