The usual commercial supplies of pure copper are used for the most critical of electrical applications such as the production of fine and superfine enamelled wires. It is essential that purity is reproducibly maintained in order to ensure high conductivity, consistent annealability and freedom from breaks during rod production and subsequent wire drawing. Since the applied enamel layers are thin but have to withstand voltage, they must have no surface flaws; consequently the basis copper wire must have an excellent surface quality. Primary copper of the best grade is used for producing the rod for this work. Uncontaminated recycled process scrap and other scrap that has been electrolytically refined back to grade 'A' quality may also be used.
One of copper's major advantages is that it is recyclable. In North America alone, approximately one half of the copper consumed annually comes from recycled material. Copper’s recycle value is so great that premium-grade scrap has at least 95% of the value of primary copper from newly mined ore.
Environment
We are committed to the environment.
- Approximately 43% of all copper used each year is a product of recycling and businesses like Safran Metals.
- Due to the high value of recycled copper (95% of the value of primary metal from newly mined ore) recycling reduces the need for new, potentially environmentally harmful, mining operations.
- Copper is a natural trace element that is essential in the development of most animals, plants, and even human beings, and is not known to cause any health problems when used in moderation.
- Each year in the U.S.A., nearly as much copper is recovered from recycled material as is derived from newly mined ore. Excluding wire production, most of which uses newly refined copper, more than three-fourths of the amount used by copper and brass mills, ingot makers, foundries, powder plants and other industries comes from recycled scrap.