Tinned Copper wire

**NatBrnCO** · 12-13-2012, 06:57 PM

So I am stripping wire and start running into shiny silver looking wire, so I assumed it was aluminum. I rolled it up and noticed that it was heavier than what the same length and size of copper tends to be, so I pondered this and then got the bright idea to look at the codes on the insulation. Turns out it is Tinned Copper. So my question is how to sort that? Do I just put it in with my copper and if so how do I convince the yard guy that is what it is? Or do I keep out and collect in another batch?
Thanks.

**IdahoScrapper** · 12-13-2012, 06:58 PM

Umm, well you can scrape it and see the copper underneath.

Last time I had tinned copper, it went as #2.

**KzScrapper** · 12-13-2012, 07:20 PM

+1^^

**billygoat** · 12-13-2012, 07:31 PM

Yeah, I saved up a bunch of it and took it to the yard to see what would happen. When I told the guy it was tinned copper he took one, hit it with a file and gave me #2 copper for it. So now I know I can mix it in with my other #2. I'll just hit one or two of them with my file so the guy can see what it is. I say that because there's always a different guy at the scale when I go and the next guy might not know what I have.

**Mechanic688** · 12-13-2012, 09:03 PM

I'm sure the scale guys have seen tinned copper a time or two. it's not their first rodeo,,,

**trashmaster** · 12-15-2012, 06:57 AM

The coating on your wire is not TIN ;; It is SILVER coated..

Tin will rust very fast,,,,Silver will NOT rust.

**Mick** · 12-15-2012, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by trashmaster

The coating on your wire is not TIN ;; It is SILVER coated..

Tin will rust very fast,,,,Silver will NOT rust.

???

Tin resists corrosion. Think "tin can" used for holding food.

**oldtoothlessbassmaster** · 12-15-2012, 08:52 AM

tinned copper wire specs:
NEWT - technical reference - annealed tinned - copper - round

silver plated copper wire spec:
NEWT - technical reference - annealed bare - silver - plated - copper - round

source :
NEWT Product Selection Guide

difference between tinned copper and silvered copper is the resistance at 20° C - 68° F and the cost per foot new

**johnuppy** · 12-15-2012, 09:01 AM

Both yards by me require me to keep it separate from my number 2 copper. They pay the same price, but goes in separate bins in a different area.

**High Voltage Processing** · 12-15-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by johnuppy

Both yards by me require me to keep it separate from my number 2 copper. They pay the same price, but goes in separate bins in a different area.

That is because guys like me get a lot more cash for it than just number two copper. I have all my yards sort it out. I pay the same for it to them but I make an additional .05 per pound.

**jghilino** · 12-15-2012, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by High Voltage Processing

That is because guys like me get a lot more cash for it than just number two copper. I have all my yards sort it out. I pay the same for it to them but I make an additional .05 per pound. By the way, I am always looking for number 2 wire.

you need to get a membership and put an ad in the buyers area of the forum, this is not the correct area to advertise without a membership

**BRASSCATCHER** · 12-15-2012, 12:19 PM

Hes one of the buyers here and does have an ad listed? Wonder why he doesnt have a buyers badge under his name?

**Mechanic688** · 12-15-2012, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER

Hes one of the buyers here and does have an ad listed? Wonder why he doesnt have a buyers badge under his name?

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...astern-pa.html

**NatBrnCO** · 12-15-2012, 08:28 PM

Thanks Guys,
I am going to run it separate until a yard tells me different.

**billygoat** · 12-16-2012, 01:18 PM

Ask them if you can mix it in with your other #2, rather than wait until they tell you. I'm sure they won't mind. It may save you a little bit of storage space.

**BohemianLush** · 12-17-2012, 12:42 PM

You should be able to mix it with all your #2 Cu, per ISRI specs.

Also, tin is an element (Sn on the periodic table). What most people refer to as tin in this industry is just light gauge iron.

**eesakiwi** · 12-17-2012, 09:38 PM

Double check that 'tinned copper wire'.

Some of what I have found from the rear of electric stoves, is stainless steel.

**Otto** · 12-18-2012, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by eesakiwi

Double check that 'tinned copper wire'.

Some of what I have found from the rear of electric stoves, is stainless steel.

This doesn't make sense. Steel has about 10X the resistance of copper. With a high current draw appliance like a stove, the steel would heat up considerably. I can't see a regulating body like UL approving this.

Tinned Copper wire

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