The single biggest mistake scrap sellers make is letting high-value metals get paid at ordinary iron scrap rates. Copper is worth ~₹750/kg, brass is ~₹490/kg, and SS 304 is ~₹130/kg — while structural iron is ~₹38/kg.
Most metal identification takes less than 30 seconds once you know what to look for. A simple pocket magnet, a coarse bastard file, and an angle grinder spark test will tell you 99% of what you need to know before our vehicle arrives.
Below, use our 3-step interactive metal detective tool to diagnose your items, review the 5 professional testing techniques, and learn how to avoid common copper and stainless steel grading traps.
Common questions
- Is stainless steel scrap magnetic?
- High-grade austenitic stainless steel like SS 304 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) is completely non-magnetic — magnets will not stick to flat surfaces. However, lower-grade SS 202 (which uses manganese instead of nickel) or cold-worked bends can show weak magnetic pull. We test with chemical reagents on site.
- How do I know if my wire is pure copper or copper-clad aluminium (CCA)?
- Strip a 2-inch piece of insulation and vigorously scrape the metal core with a knife or file. If the shiny core turns white or silver, it is CCA (aluminium inside with thin copper coating). If it remains reddish-pink all the way through, it is 100% pure copper.
- What is the difference between brass and bronze scrap?
- Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc with a bright golden-yellow color. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin (and sometimes phosphorus) with a deeper reddish-brown hue and higher density. Bronze typically fetches a ₹30-₹50/kg premium over standard yellow brass.
- How can I tell Cast Iron (CI) apart from Mild Steel (MS)?
- Tap the metal gently with a hammer. Cast iron makes a dull, flat 'thunk' and will fracture or chip rather than bend. When ground against a wheel, cast iron produces very short, dull-red sparks with almost no bursting, whereas mild steel produces long yellow spark showers with starbursts.