Clove is a grade of copper scrap used in the international recycling industry. It generally refers to tinned copper wire or bright copper wire that does not meet the Mill Berry specification due to the presence of a tin coating or a certain level of oxidation.
Characteristics of Clove
- Made from pure copper or high-grade copper wire.
- Typically tin-plated (tinned copper) or coated with a thin surface layer.
- Completely stripped of plastic insulation.
- May exhibit slight oxidation or discoloration.
- Free from iron, plastic, rubber, and other foreign contaminants.
- Copper recovery is lower than Mill Berry because of the tin coating.
Standard Specifications
- Copper wire must be completely stripped of insulation.
- May have a tin-plated or other surface coating.
- Free from other metals and non-metallic materials.
- Classified separately from bright bare copper (Mill Berry).
Sources
Clove copper scrap is commonly recovered from:
- Control cables.
- Signal wires.
- Electrical wiring used in electronic equipment.
- Telecommunications cables.
- Tin-plated copper electrical cables.
Value
Compared with Mill Berry:
- Lower market value because the tin coating must be removed during the recycling process.
- Still considered a high-quality copper scrap grade and is widely accepted by recycling plants.
- Offers a good copper recovery rate, although lower than Mill Berry.
