High-purity copper wire scrap (99.9%–99.99% Cu), particularly Millberry grade, is a valuable, recycled material used in electrical, construction, and automotive industries. It consists of unalloyed, uncoated, and unburnt wire, frequently sourced from high-grade telecommunication and electrical cables. Prices vary by grade and cleanliness, with bare bright copper attracting the highest value.
Key Grades and Specifications
Millberry / Bare Bright Wire: 99.99% pure, clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire, typically over 16 gauge. This is the highest-value scrap.
Berry / Candy Wire: Clean, untinned, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire, not smaller than No. 16 B&S wire gauge.
Insulated Wire Scrap: Copper wire covered in plastic or rubber insulation, which requires stripping.
Technical Specs: Often sold with specifications stating: No burnt wire, no excessive oxidation, and free of tin, lead, zinc, or aluminum contamination.
Common Applications
Recycling & Manufacturing: Melted down to produce new copper rods, ingots, and wire products.
Electrical Industry: Re-purposed for high-conductivity components, cables, and motors.
Infrastructure & Construction: Used in plumbing, roofing, and structural components.