Results 1 to 5 of 5

Storing copper in cold weather climates?

| Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
  1. #1
    johnuppy started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    159
    Thanks
    140
    Thanked 109 Times in 51 Posts

    Storing copper in cold weather climates?

    Just a quick question regarding storing copper. I have about 1,000 lbs that I am not willing to sell at current prices. It is stored in 5 gallon pails with sealed covers. The big stuff is in blue 50 gallon plastic drums. It gets very cold up here in the winter, and I am wondering if I can store them in a storage unit or will the condensation turn it green. There is no heat in it and I think the cold and warm will start to turn it colors. Thanks in advance for the answers.



  2. #2
    Mick's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Palermo, Me
    Posts
    3,405
    Thanks
    363
    Thanked 3,086 Times in 1,326 Posts
    Not in cold weather. The problem comes from the humidity causing moisture. Where are you?
    People may laugh at me, but that's ok. I laugh all the way to the bank.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Mick for This Post:


  4. #3
    johnuppy started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    159
    Thanks
    140
    Thanked 109 Times in 51 Posts
    I am in Wisconsin.

  5. #4
    Mick's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Palermo, Me
    Posts
    3,405
    Thanks
    363
    Thanked 3,086 Times in 1,326 Posts
    Winters similar to mine, then. Shouldn't be any problem. I store my copper all winter waiting for spring seasonal pricing. I have stuff I've stored all summer in the Maine humidity with no discoloration, either.

  6. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Mick:


  7. #5
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Nottingham
    Posts
    181
    Thanks
    26
    Thanked 105 Times in 58 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by johnuppy View Post
    Just a quick question regarding storing copper. I have about 1,000 lbs that I am not willing to sell at current prices. It is stored in 5 gallon pails with sealed covers. The big stuff is in blue 50 gallon plastic drums. It gets very cold up here in the winter, and I am wondering if I can store them in a storage unit or will the condensation turn it green. There is no heat in it and I think the cold and warm will start to turn it colors. Thanks in advance for the answers.
    Copper patina takes years to fully form. Roofs in cities around 50 years, if you live by the coast then sooner. Most patina is copper carbonate formed from the dissolved carbon dioxide in moisture and rain water reacting with the thin oxide layer on the copper. As your containers are sealed, there will be no new moisture or even CO2 to keep making more patina.

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to harrisvh for This Post:



  9. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. Cold calling with my new assistant
      By BurlyGuys in forum General - Let's talk business
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 05-16-2012, 04:17 PM
    2. i owe these 2 guys a cold one!
      By shootsitall in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 03-15-2012, 06:00 AM
    3. Cooler Weather
      By KzScrapper in forum Off Topic Discussions
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 09-04-2011, 01:33 PM
    4. Cold rollled vs hot rolled steel
      By coxey2 in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 12-29-2010, 08:56 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook