What are some methods to turn lesser class metals into premium class metals?

Originally Posted by Phantoms001

I haven't asked a dumb question in quite a while so I guess I'm due. What is the difference between the .999 copper and the 99.9 copper? I really was under the impression that copper pipe was .999 copper (pretty pure). Is copper wire .999?

Copper tubing or pipe is usually 99.9% pure

The copper used in these products has the identical 99.9 percent purity as standard copper water tube.

Copper Water Tubes,Copper Tube,Copper Pipe,Copper Tubes,Copper Pipes

Copper wire is usually higher purity to offer less resistance to electricity flowing through it:

Copper Wire,
Diameter:0.01mm, Purity:99.99%, Temper:Hard,

Copper Wire - online catalogue source - supplier of research materials in small quantities - Goodfellow

When low purity metal is expressed, it's most often expressed with the 99.% purity before the.9xxx% to make sure the reader understands that the decimal was not misplaced. When expressing high purity it's either expressed as 99.99xx% or simply by .99xx% What you are paying attention to is the .99xxx% number.

When people express the purity of gold as being 5 9s what they are really saying is 99.999% pure, which commands a premium above spot price, such in the case of gold bars. The reason is that it's far more difficult to obtain high purity, it takes more time, effort, energy and usually higher cost refining methods, not to mention the fact that there is more gold than 99.95% which is industry standard, and the purity that spot price is based on.

Copper prices are based on a purity of 99.5, this is why a scrap yard will give you more for certain types of copper than others, because of the purity they command a higher price. If the refinery only has to melt the copper, instead of the added cost of refining it, then they make more. Literally, many copper refiners will take copper wire, assay it, add metal to downgrade the purity to make into copper tube/pipe. They take copper tube/pipe and add other metal into it to make copper shielding, roofing, and other common copper goods that are of lower purity. Copper wire is expensive because it not only has to be high purity, but also is usually shielded, which takes more labor and materials.

Scott