At Shiv Shakti metals Recycling, copper is one of the metals we recycle regularly.
The usual commercial supplies of pure copper are used for the most critical of electrical applications such as the production of fine and superfine enameled wires. It is essential that purity is reproducibly maintained in order to ensure high conductivity, consistent annealability
and freedom from breaks during rod production and subsequent wire drawing. Primary copper of the best grade is used for producing the rod for this work. Uncontaminated recycled process scrap and other scrap that has been electrolytically refined back to grade ‘A’ quality may also be used.
The copper used for power cables is also drawn from high conductivity rod but to a thicker size than fine wires. The quality requirements are therefore slightly less stringent.
For non-electrical purposes, copper is also used to make large quantities of plumbing tube, roofing sheet and heat exchangers. Secondary copper can be used for the manufacture of these materials,
How is copper recycled.
Recycling copper involves a number of steps:
- First, the copper is separated into two main groups: clean unalloyed scrap and alloyed scrap containing oxidised or coated pieces.
- The clean scrap is melted down, and its purity level checked whilst molten. It’s then melted down into solid ingots.
- The contaminated scrap is also melted down, with a process called electrolysis used to purify it.
- The copper is then ready to be re-used.