metal id question

**bigbade** · 12-20-2012, 10:10 AM

Can anyone help me and tell me if both of these piles are copper the ones on the left are more yellowish and the right is more reddish View image: 20121220 095921

**jghilino** · 12-20-2012, 10:24 AM

left looks like yellow brass, right looks like copper electrical contacts with silver on them, i am not 100% sure though

im assuming you checked all of it with a magnet already, especially the pile on the left?

**bigbade** · 12-20-2012, 10:30 AM

Yup always have a magnet handy I had a feeling stuff on left was brass have a few other pieces is there anyway to tell other then looks between brass and copper?

**jghilino** · 12-20-2012, 11:00 AM

experience, if you got that out of electrical breakers you probably threw away some stuff that looked like shred, its actually nickel plated copper, you can always hit it with some sandpaper or a grinder to see the base metal under plating

In general brass is light yellow like gold and copper is darker in color, there is also red brass to look out for.

Brass | Atlanta Metal Inc

**bigbade** · 12-21-2012, 11:27 AM

They came mostly off of motherboards inside TVs in these plastic things that inside is a spool of copper and the these connectors either 2 of each or 1 of each. If something is plated with a magnetic metal does it become magnetic?

**etack** · 12-21-2012, 11:35 AM

Those are from relays. The silver pad will be AgCd about 80% silver the rest Cd. The ones that are silver on one side and copper on the other side are Ag Cu clad and they are in the 5%-10% silver range. Thats a lot of work but they can add up slowly. The Cu clad ones are good to keep if you want the others to be refined as you can just add them in. but if all you had was them it would be mostly unprofitable without large amounts.

Eric

**bigbade** · 12-21-2012, 11:40 AM

I just take em off cause they are there figure I'd just toss it in with my copper and brass

**bigbade** · 12-21-2012, 11:42 AM

Another question tried searching but can't find what is the metal in the end of wires the crimp connectors that slide on to speakers and such they are silver in color and don't stick to magnet

**jghilino** · 12-21-2012, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by bigbade

Another question tried searching but can't find what is the metal in the end of wires the crimp connectors that slide on to speakers and such they are silver in color and don't stick to magnet

usually nickel plated brass, i have torn apart tons of old electronics/electrical breakers, hit em with sandpaper or a grinder you will see brass under the plating

**etack** · 12-21-2012, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by bigbade

Another question tried searching but can't find what is the metal in the end of wires the crimp connectors that slide on to speakers and such they are silver in color and don't stick to magnet

I would have to say the are tinned. This is to ensure that when/if they are soldered they adhere well to the solder. Just like tinned wire. Use the paper trick rub one on some white paper if it leaves a grey mark more than not it is tin.

Eric

**bigbade** · 12-21-2012, 12:05 PM

Cool thanks

**bigbade** · 01-08-2013, 06:05 AM

View image: 20130108 055719

thanks for all the help got a new one not sure what it is its silver all the way through cause i cut a few they are engine bearings