Understanding the different types of brass scrap in Nigeria

buyscrapng March 3, 2025 No Comments

One of the oldest alloys in the world, brass is an abundant metal that contains a significant amount of copper along with other metals like zinc, tin, and lead. Like almost all metals, scrap brass can be recycled and used again without losing the special qualities that make it valuable and lucrative.

Brass is a fairly common metal used to make a wide range of everyday items, such as locks, doorknobs, valves, musical instruments, decorative ornaments, and plumbing fixtures, because of its good electrical and heat conductivity, fair corrosion resistance, and attractive appearance.

If you want to sell your brass scrap in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Kaduna, Calabar, Ogun, Oyo, or in any other state in Nigeria, then we have written this article for you so you understand the different types of scrap brass that we buy.

What is brass?

Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc, though it can also sometimes be made with other metals. This metal is easily recognized by its gleaming gold appearance and is non-magnetic. This material is very useful and versatile because it is a great conductor and doesn’t corrode. Similar to copper, brass has an endless lifespan and can be recycled repeatedly without losing any of its qualities.

What is brass Used For?

This is some typical use for brass:

1. Brass is widely used in the construction industry for a variety of purposes, including decorative hardware and plumbing fixtures.Because of its superior durability and resistance to corrosion, brass has become increasingly used in the manufacturing sector.
2. Brass is widely used in musical instrument manufacturing due to its distinctive tonal characteristics and visual appeal.
3. The use of brass in electrical components and connectors guarantees effective conductivity and long-lasting operation.
4. Brass is used in the aerospace industry for its lightweight yet durable properties in a variety of aircraft parts and components.
5. Due to its dependability and heat resistance, brass is used in the production of engine parts and fittings in the automotive industry.
6. Brass is used extensively in plumbing systems because of its resistance to water corrosion and ability to preserve structural integrity.
7. The use of brass in jewelry and other ornamental items gives home décor and accessories a touch of refinement and elegance.
8. Brass is widely used in the art and craft sector for intricate design creation, casting, and sculpture.
9. Brass is perfect for ship fittings and fixtures because of its exceptional resistance to corrosion in saltwater.

Benefits of recycling brass scrap in Nigeria

Recycling brass scrap is good for the environment in addition to making money in Nigeria. We can lessen the need to mine new resources and the environmental impact of extraction and processing by recycling brass. Recycling brass scrap also lowers landfill waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption. It’s a sustainable decision that helps the environment and the economy.

Where to find Brass in Nigeria?

You can sell us your brass items for scrap if you have any of the following:

• Light and lamp fixtures (chandeliers, lamps, and light switches)
• Plumbing items or fixtures: taps, piping, valves, faucets, showerheads
• Frames for beds
• Door locks, keys, letterboxes, handles, and knockers on doors
• Decorative items such as ornaments, plaques, chalices, planters, bells, sculptures, figurines, and candle holders
• Musical instruments such as trumpets, trombones, and saxophones
• Old radiators in homes and vehicles
• Gears and Parts (gears, bearings, bushings, and mechanical parts)
• Brass shell casings from spent ammunition

How to tell the difference between solid brass and brass-plated items?

Before recycling, it’s essential to differentiate between solid brass and brass-plated items. Here’s a quick method to determine whether brass is authentic:

• Visual Examination: Check for indications of discoloration or wear and tear. While brass-plated objects may exhibit peeling or flaking, solid brass objects typically acquire a natural patina over time.
• Magnet test: Check to see if the object is drawn to a magnet. Solid brass is not magnetic, but objects that are plated with brass may have magnetic substances underneath the thin layer of brass.
• Scratch test: The scratch test is one way to verify the findings of the magnet test. In this test, pick a small, hidden part of the object you are testing. With a sharp object, then, make a tiny scratch in this area. Next, look at the scratch: Does it have a yellow, shiny layer underneath? In that case, your item is probably made of solid brass. But if the scratch seems to be covered by a silvery layer, your item has only been plated with brass.
• Weight comparison test: In general, objects made of solid brass weigh more than those made of brass plating. Compare the item’s weight to that of a well-known brass object of comparable dimensions.
• Acid test: Apply a small drop of diluted acid (such as vinegar) to an inconspicuous area of the item. If it reacts or corrodes, the item is likely brass-plated, as solid brass is resistant to most acids.

Using color and appearance to distinguish brass from copper and bronze

Using color and appearance, you can distinguish brass from copper and bronze. Brass is yellowish or golden in color, though the exact composition will determine the shade. Copper is clearly reddish-brown in color. The color of bronze can vary based on the alloy composition, but it usually has a reddish-brown appearance.

Key properties of brass

• Formability and Malleability: Brass’s remarkable malleability makes it easy to shape and form into complex designs, which is advantageous for manufacturing processes that call for a high level of formability.
• Corrosion Resistance: Brass is well-known for having exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly when alloyed with manganese. This makes it perfect for use in settings that contain moisture and corrosive substances.
• Thermal Conductivity: Because of its high thermal conductivity, brass can be used in applications requiring effective heat transfer.
• Non-Magnetic Nature: Brass is frequently chosen in applications where magnetism might be a problem because it is a non-ferromagnetic metal, which makes recycling easier.

The various grades of scrap brass in Nigeria

When selling or purchasing scrap brass, knowing the various grades of the material helps in setting the appropriate price for profitability. Selecting the best brass scrap for recycling requires knowledge of the different grades of brass scrap. The grades of brass scrap are divided into five groups, which are mentioned below.

1. Brass shell cases scrap (ISRI Code LAKE/LAMB)
2. Brass turnings (ISRI Code ENERV)
3. Yellow brass scrap (ISRI Code HONEY)
4. Red brass scrap (ISRI Code EBONY)
5. Machinery or Hard Brass Scrap (ISRI Code ENGEL): The HS Code of ENGEL is 74040022, and it can be mainly found in bearings, bushings, and other machinery parts, which can be collected from automobile manufacturing companies, automobile repair shops, auto parts stores, and end-of-vehicles.

Types of Scrap Brass

1. Red brass scrap

“Red Brass Scrap” is the first grade of brass scrap that pays well. According to ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020, red brass scrap is categorized as “EBONY.” It has a high copper content, which gives it its reddish appearance. Red brass scrap, which has a maximum copper content of 85%, is thought to be the most valuable grade of brass scrap. Copper, tin, and zinc make up the alloy known as “red brass scrap,” or “gun metal,” in the US.

Where can you find scrap red brass in Nigeria?

Household appliances

Plumbing fixtures and water line pipes are the most common uses for red brass, and you can gather red brass scrap from your home appliances, including sprinklers, faucets, cocks, water meter valves, and more. Given that they are regarded as red scrap brass, if you are a plumber or contractor with a lot of copper piping that has brass fittings from plumbing fixtures, you can cut those fittings off of the copper tubing and make money from it.

Red brass scrap can also be gathered from nearby construction sites, remodeling facilities, and scrap yards. In Nigeria, plumbers, building or demolition contractors, and mechanical and HVAC contractors are major suppliers of scrap red brass.

End-of-life vehicles (ELVs), such as motor vehicles that are classified as waste

Since valves, linings, bearings, bushings, and other machinery parts are usually made of copper alloy and fall under the ISRI code “EBONY” Red brass scrap, you can recycle your motor vehicles classified as waste in Nigeria for brass and make money from it.

2. Hard brass scrap

As the second-highest paying grade of brass scrap, “Hard Brass Scrap” has a maximum copper content of 75%. Compared to other grades of brass scrap, hard brass scrap is stronger and harder, as the name suggests. The ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020 states that hard brass scrap falls under the ISRI Code “ENGEL.”

Where to find hard brass scrap in Nigeria?

Hard brass can be recycled from liners, bearings, and bushings, among other machinery components found in your cars and end-of-life vehicles in Nigeria. Additionally, you can gather hard brass scrap from local scrap yards, auto repair shops, auto parts stores, and end-of-vehicle manufacturers.

3. Yellow brass scrap

According to ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020, “Yellow Brass Scrap” is categorized as ISRI Code “HONEY.”. It is one of the most widely available copper alloys, with approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc.

Sources of yellow brass scrap in Nigeria

Yellow brass is often used in ornaments, jewelry, musical instruments, and decorative elements due to its lighter weight and shining appearance. Anchors, LPG, sanitary fasteners, pneumatic parts, cables, inserts, electrical, and energy meter parts are all good sources of yellow brass.

• Musical instruments: Brass is commonly used to make trumpets. trombones, bells, and saxophones. If you live in Nigeria and use any of these instruments, please take it to our scrapyard, as we buy them as yellow brass scrap.
• Decorative household appliances: Common decorative appliances in our homes that can be scrapped for yellow brass scrap include bowls, shelves, cupboards, and catch, as well as kitchen fixtures, household taps, screws, bolts, door knobs, plaques, handles, hinges, cabinet/drawer pulls, keys, and locksmithing.
• Jewelry/Ornaments: These days in Nigeria, we all wear colorful, lightweight fashion jewelry to wedding and birthday parties. These jewelry or ornaments are most likely made of brass alloy. Therefore, we can gather them, such as rings, bracelets, chains, earrings, and anklets, to sell to scrap buyers as yellow brass instead of discarding them in a trash can.

4. Brass shell casings scrap

“Brass Casings Scrap” falls under the ISRI Code “LAMB,” per ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020.

Where to find scrap brass shell casings in Nigeria?

Shooting/firing ranges

Shooting ranges, firing locations, and military or law enforcement training facilities are ideal locations to gather valuable scrap brass shells and casings. Brass shells can be collected at a public or private shooting range and sold to recycling facilities. Additionally, brass shell casings can be gotten from rifles, machine guns, shotguns, pistols, military guns, and firearm ammunition.

Note: BuyScrap does not purchase brass shells in Nigeria.

5. Brass turnings

Brass turnings fall under ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular 2020’s “ENERV/NOMAD” classification. Another grade of brass scrap that pays well is brass turnings. Processing brass scrap, which typically contains 65% copper and the remaining zinc, typically results in the production of brass turnings or borings.

Sources of brass turnings in Nigeria

Brass turnings and borings can be collected from brass manufacturing or recycling facilities. Any grade of brass scrap, such as bearings, bushings, flashlight shells, lamp fixtures, fasteners, locks, hinges, pins, rivets, buttons, plumbing accessories, bolts, pinions, gears, and other decorative applications, can be chopped or shredded to produce brass turnings. Additionally, keep in mind that in order to meet ISRI specifications ENERV or NOMAD, the brass turnings you are gathering for recycling must be clean and devoid of contaminants and other non-metallic impurities.

What you need to know about brass recycling in Nigeria?

Here is a comprehensive step-by-step process for recycling brass in Nigeria:

Step 1: Pick up and collection of scrap brass

The first step in recycling brass is to collect scrap materials from various sources and send them to the BuyScrap collection hub. Construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and end-of-life items like pipes, valves, fittings, wires, and other brass components can all provide this scrap. People who work in sectors like HVAC, contracting, plumbing, and auto repair frequently produce large quantities of brass scrap.

Step 2: Inspection, sorting, and cleaning

After being collected, brass scrap is separated from non-metal materials like rubber and plastic by sorting it either by hand or with the aid of machinery. After that, it is cleaned to get rid of impurities like oil and debris, guaranteeing a high-quality recycling procedure.

Step 3: Shredding and separation

Larger scraps of brass are frequently shredded to make it easier to separate various metals and materials. In order to make subsequent processes more efficient, shredding reduces the scrap into smaller, easier-to-manage pieces. To make sure the brass is free of other metals and impurities, this step is important.

Step 4: Melting

To remove contaminants and get it ready for the following recycling steps, the cleaned brass is melted in a furnace. Any leftover impurities can be eliminated as they rise to the surface during melting.

Step 5: Decontamination and metal purification

Impurities are eliminated during decontamination, and the composition of the brass is modified to fulfill quality requirements. This could entail chemical treatments, skimming, and filtering. By adding or removing its component metals, mainly copper and zinc, brass can also be refined to change its composition.

Step 6: Hardening

The brass undergoes additional processing for strength and durability after decontamination. Usually, heat treatment is used in conjunction with cold working techniques like rolling, forging, or drawing to harden materials. These procedures improve the brass’s mechanical properties, enabling a wide range of uses.

Step 7: Forming, repurposing into new products, and transportation

After hardening, the brass is cooled and formed into bars or ingots so that it can be used to produce new items. After that, these formed products are shipped to manufacturers, who use them to create new products like musical instruments, automobile parts, ammunition casings, and other brass items. By completing this step, the recycling process is complete, and the brass is prepared for its subsequent lifecycle.

Price of scrap brass in Nigeria

Every day, the price of brass fluctuates, so we base all of our prices on the International Metal Exchange to ensure that our suppliers are getting the best deal. Demand, global market trends, and a number of other variables can affect the value of scrap brass. Its price is influenced by several factors, such as purity, quality, weight, condition, market demand, and current market rates.

For international pricing, benchmark prices for non-ferrous metals, such as copper and zinc, which are essential components for brass, are set by the London Metal Exchange (LME). Prices for brass frequently correspond to those of these base metals. However, for local pricing in Nigeria, exchange rates, dealer prices for brass scrap metal, and local supply and demand can all have an impact on the price of brass scraps. Checking with nearby scrap metal yards such as BuyScrap Nigeria for up-to-date brass prices and pricing data is advised.

For the latest scrap brass price, please give 07081263229 a call or send a message via WhatsApp. To get an estimate from the team at BuyScrap on the price of your brass scrap, click here.

Where to sell your scrap brass in Nigeria?

Do you plan to sell your brass scrap? Are you trying to get a lot of brass scraps at competitive prices? if your response was “YES.” With our scrap marketplace, you can buy or sell any grade of brass scraps. Buyscrap Nigeria is the right place. We have more than 80 types of recyclables and scrap that can be bought or sold on our scrap marketplace. To get started, register right now and subscribe to our premium package if you plan to buy in bulk.

Why choose BuyScrap?

Our goal at BuyScrap is to collect and recycle metals like brass in an ethical and sustainable manner. By selecting our services, you help us protect natural resources and reduce carbon emissions. In addition, working with a reliable partner such as BuyScrap to recycle provides support for the local economy and sustainable development. As we collect scrap brass, we always ensure that environmental guidelines and rules are followed for appropriate recycling.

Recycle your brass scrap today!

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Fun fact about brass: the tubing of a trombone would reach about nine feet, and the tubing of a trumpet would reach about six and a half feet when stretched! To view our most recent blog posts on scrap metal recycling, visit our website by clicking here.