How to tell copper, brass, aluminium and scrap iron apart: simple tests at home
At the scrap yard, every metal has its own price. If you bring everything mixed together, the copper and brass end up paid as iron. With a few simple tests at home, you can sort the metals and get the right price for each.
In short
- Magnet sticks = iron or steel. Doesn't stick = non-ferrous, which is worth more.
- Reddish = copper, golden yellow = brass, silvery and light = aluminium, grey and very heavy = lead.
- Sort them into separate bags before you come to the scale.
First test: the magnet
Take a fridge magnet and hold it to the metal. If it sticks firmly, it's iron or steel — ordinary scrap iron. If it doesn't stick at all, you have a non-ferrous metal: copper, brass, aluminium, lead or stainless steel.
That single test splits the pile in two quickly: what's paid as iron and what's worth setting aside.
Copper and brass: by colour
Copper is reddish, the colour of a new penny. As it ages it darkens towards brown or picks up green spots. You'll find it in plumbing pipes, cable wire and motor windings.
Brass is yellow, golden. You'll find it in taps, door handles, fittings, bushings and cartridge cases. It's heavier than it looks and doesn't stick to a magnet. Keep them apart: copper pays better than brass.
Aluminium and lead: by weight
Aluminium is silvery and very light. Window frames, alloy wheels, old pots, cans and car radiators are usually aluminium. If you pick up a big piece and it's surprisingly light, it's probably aluminium.
Lead is dark grey, very heavy and soft — you can scratch it easily with a key. You'll find it in wheel weights, old sheeting and batteries. Wash your hands after handling it.
Stainless steel and mixed parts
Stainless steel looks like ordinary steel but usually doesn't stick to a magnet, or only very weakly. You'll find it in sinks, pots and kitchen equipment. Keep it separate and ask us for a price.
Many items are mixed: a brass tap with a steel handle, a motor with an iron casing and copper windings. If they come apart easily, take them apart. If not, bring them as they are and we'll assess them at the scale.
Frequently asked questions
- Which metal pays best?
- Usually clean copper, then brass, then aluminium. Ordinary scrap iron pays least per kilo, but it adds up in large quantities.
- How can I tell if a pipe is copper or just painted?
- Lightly scratch the surface with a key or a file. If it's reddish underneath, it's copper. If it's grey and a magnet sticks, it's painted steel.
- I'm not sure what metal I have. What should I do?
- Bring it to the yard or send us a photo. We'll check it on receipt and tell you what it is and what it's worth.
This article is informational and reflects our practice at the date of publication. Romanian environmental legislation changes frequently — for your company's specific situation, check the texts in force and consult the environmental protection agency or a specialist adviser.