low grade and high grade PCB

**NedV** · 12-01-2013, 02:33 AM

Hello all,

I was wondering if any one has an idea about the amount of precious metals ( gold , silver, palladium , and copper) in the low grade PCB.

I am doing some research and still has no correct result .

thanks and have good day

**Sirscrapalot** · 12-01-2013, 02:52 AM

Easy answer!

It varies. An if I recall most low grade, don't exactly hit the top of the charts far as PM's go. Cept for copper of course.

Someone else can attempt to answer it better, I stand by my answer of it varies. Not the answer you were seeking, but an answer nonetheless.

Sirscrapalot - That's a fact....Jack! - Uncle Si of course.

**NedV** · 12-01-2013, 03:16 AM

thanks for your respond ,

i know it varies, but do u know an estimation. i only want to know the gold whats the range of it in PCB??

**Primo** · 12-01-2013, 03:24 AM

Definitely hard to determine.

Hard to say in any board.

From what I understand, copper is king in low grade.

Just expounding on Sirscrapalot's answer...

**Sirscrapalot** · 12-01-2013, 03:31 AM

Your original post you asked for all PM's in low grade boards. Second one you say you just want to know gold content.

So..first answer..it varies.

Second answer - Gold content in low grade boards to the best of my knowledge is a rare thing. I've only come across very few low grade boards with any gold in them. No clue how much is in them, cause I didn't have them refined.

On the bright side people who are smarter then me will be awake soon enough, an have a better answer for you maybe. I can just point you to my answers, an also suggest you try Googling it if you haven't. Tho the answer Google is going to give I fear is the same as mine in answer one....it varies.

Good luck with your research an check back later for the smarter folks answers.

Sirscrapalot - Everyone has favorite criminals. Mine are pimps. We can all rob a bank; we can all sell drugs. Being a pimp is a whole other thing. - Chris Rock

**newattitude** · 12-01-2013, 12:18 PM

I've always wondered too - for those that buy the lowgrade, what are they buying them for? If I remove all copper bearing, I'm basically selling them something useless/worthless?

**erewen** · 12-01-2013, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by newattitude

I've always wondered too - for those that buy the lowgrade, what are they buying them for? If I remove all copper bearing, I'm basically selling them something useless/worthless?

It may depend on what price they are buying it for. Even after copper bearing is removed, there can still be substantial copper and brass that is not economical to remove by hand, but only by mechanical separation. Also, even though some may remove copper bearing, they may not be bothered to remove IC chips.

**newattitude** · 12-01-2013, 02:08 PM

thanks erewen! Is there something of value in those chips then?

**Mechanic688** · 12-01-2013, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by newattitude

thanks erewen! Is there something of value in those chips then?

See whats under the black cover, interesting. Worth about $5.00 a lb if you save them up. The right one is a CPU chip.

Sometimes you will see these on the board, the black dot.

Integrated circuits (ICs) are self-contained circuits with many separate components such as transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors etched into a tiny silicon chip.

Thanks to bbc.co.uk for the quote.

**erewen** · 12-02-2013, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by newattitude

Is there something of value in those chips then?

With just a quick browse of the buyers section I found one that is buying IC chips for $5.25/lb (didn't look any further after that). Google for images to make sure you find what is really an IC chip. Seems that transistors are similar enough in appearance that they keep getting mixed up with them, although transistors are mainly copper. If you are going to remove ICs you really need to work out a quick method since they are so light weight and you don't want to spend too much time on each piece. There was some discussion in the forum about a year ago with people trying various techniques. I've found that using an angle grinder is fastest for me, others liked chisels. As I depopulate low quality boards I break out sections that have IC chips and throw them into a bin for later processing when I get enough to make it more efficient.

This might help for identification
http://www.uchobby.com/index.php/200...ic-components/