Guangzhou Chengyi Recycling Resources Co., Ltd. is a recycling company with years of experience in the field of recycling and resource utilization. We operate with a robust team, substantial capital, and a fleet of trucks for transportation. Our business scope is extensive, primarily dealing with scrap iron, scrap aluminum, scrap copper, used cables, stainless steel, used equipment, and other non-ferrous metal recycling, factory demolition, and electronic circuit board recycling.
1. Copper: Refers to pure copper, mainly including oxygen-free copper, brass, phosphorus deoxidized copper, and silver copper.
Copper brass: Refers to alloys based on copper and zinc, which can be further divided into simple copper brass and complex copper brass. The complex copper brass includes brasses named after the third component, such as nickel brass and silicon brass, etc.
3. Bronze: Refers to copper-based alloys other than copper-nickel and copper-zinc alloys, mainly including tin bronze, aluminum bronze, and special bronze (also known as high copper alloys).
4. White Copper: Refers to copper-nickel alloys.
1. Power Transmission: Large quantities of highly conductive copper are required for power transmission, primarily used in power cables, busbars, transformers, switches, connectors, and junctions.
2. Electrical Machinery Manufacturing: High conductivity and high-strength copper alloys are widely used in electrical machinery manufacturing. The main copper components include stators, rotors, and shaft ends.
3. Communication Cables: Since the 1980s, due to the advantages of fiber optic cables such as high carrying capacity, they have continuously replaced copper cables in communication trunk lines and have been rapidly promoted and applied. However, converting electrical energy into light energy and the lines feeding to the users still require a large amount of copper. With the development of the communication industry, people's dependence on communication is increasing, and the demand for both fiber optic cables and copper wires will continue to rise.
4. Residential electrical wiring
5. Electronic Vacuum Devices: These devices primarily include high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency tubes, waveguides, magnetrons, etc., which require high-purity oxygen-free copper and dispersion-strengthened oxygen-free copper.
6. Printed Circuit Boards: Copper printed circuit boards involve using copper foil as the surface, bonded to a plastic board that serves as the support. The circuit layout is printed onto the copper foil using photographic methods. Excess material is removed through etching, leaving the interconnected circuitry. Holes are then punched in the printed circuit board at points for external connections, and the terminals of discrete components or other parts are inserted and soldered into these openings, completing the assembly of the entire circuit.
7. Integrated Circuit
8. Wire Frame: Copper alloys offer low cost, high strength, conductivity, and thermal conductivity, excellent workability, solderability, and corrosion resistance. Through alloying, their properties can be controlled over a wide range, making them well-suited to meet the performance requirements of wire frames and have become an important material in this application. It is currently one of the most widely used materials of copper in microelectronic devices.
9. Energy Industry: The utilization of solar energy also requires a significant amount of copper piping. For instance, a hotel pool near London, UK, equipped with a solar heater, can maintain water temperatures between 18~24°C during summer. The solar heater contains 784 pounds (3,56 kg) of copper piping.
10. Petrochemical Industry: Copper and many copper alloys exhibit excellent corrosion resistance in solutions, non-oxidizing acids (such as acetic acid, citric acid, fatty acids, lactic acid, oxalic acid, etc.), various alkalies excluding ammonia, and non-oxidizing organic compounds (such as oils, phenols, alcohols, etc.). Therefore, they are extensively used in the petrochemical industry for manufacturing equipment such as containers, piping systems, filters, pumps, and valves that come into contact with corrosive media. They are also utilized for their thermal conductivity in the production of various evaporators, heat exchangers, and condensers. Due to copper's good malleability, it is particularly suitable for manufacturing complex heat exchangers in modern chemical industries where copper piping is intricately woven. Moreover, bronze is commonly used to produce tools in oil refining factories, as it does not spark upon impact, thereby preventing fire outbreaks.
11. Ocean Industry: With the ocean covering over 70% of the Earth's surface area, the rational development and utilization of marine resources are increasingly being recognized as important. Sea water contains chloride ions that are corrosive, making many engineering metals such as steel, aluminum, and even stainless steel susceptible to corrosion. Additionally, marine organisms can cause fouling on the surfaces of these materials, as well as on non-metals like wood and glass. Copper, however, stands out, not only being resistant to sea water corrosion but also having antibacterial properties from the copper ions dissolved in water, which can prevent fouling by marine organisms. Therefore, copper and copper alloys are crucial materials in the ocean industry and are widely used in desalination plants, offshore oil and gas platforms, and other coastal and underwater facilities. This includes piping systems, pumps, and valves used in desalination processes, as well as equipment on oil and gas platforms, such as bolts and drilling equipment for splash zones and underwater use, anti-fouling covers, pump valves, and piping systems. The application of copper and copper alloys in ships will be discussed in the following section.
12. Vessels: Due to their excellent corrosion resistance in seawater, many copper alloys, such as aluminum bronze, manganese bronze, aluminum brass, gunmetal (tin-zinc bronze), white brass, and nickel copper alloys (Monel alloys), have become standard materials for shipbuilding. Generally, copper and copper alloys account for 2% to 3% of the total weight of merchant ships. Most large merchant ship propellers are made of aluminum bronze or brass. The propellers of large ships weigh between 20 to 25 tons each. The propellers of the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary weigh up to 35 tons each.
13. Automotive: Copper usage for vehicles ranges from 10 to 21 kg per car, varying with the type and size. For compact cars, it accounts for approximately 6 to 9% of their weight. Copper and copper alloys are primarily used in radiators, brake system piping, hydraulic equipment, gears, bearings, brake pads, distribution and electrical systems, washers, and various connectors, accessories, and trimmings. Radiators are among the components with the highest copper content. Modern tube-type radiators are made by welding brass strips into radiator tubes and bending thin copper strips into fins.
14. Railways: The electrification of railways requires a significant amount of copper and copper alloys. Over 2 tons of special-shaped copper wire are needed per kilometer of overhead conductor. To enhance its strength, a small amount of copper (about 1%) or silver (about of%) is often added. Additionally, the motors, rectifiers, and control, braking, electrical, and signaling systems on trains all rely on copper and copper alloys to function.
15. Planes: Copper is indispensable for the navigation of planes. For example, copper materials are used in the wiring, hydraulic, cooling, and pneumatic systems of planes. Aluminum bronze tubes are employed for bearing retainers and landing gear bearings, navigational instruments use antimagnetic copper alloys, and various instruments incorporate beryllium copper elastic elements, etc.
16. Mechanical Engineering: Copper components can be found in almost all types of machinery. Besides the extensive use of copper in motors, circuits, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and control systems, there is a wide variety of transmission and fastening parts made from brass and bronze, such as gears, worm gears, worm shafts, connectors, fasteners, twisting parts, screws, and nuts, which are ubiquitous.
17. Metallurgical Equipment: The metallurgical industry is a major consumer of electrical power, often referred to as "the electricity industry." In the construction of metallurgical plants, it is typically necessary to have a large-scale transmission and distribution system, as well as power operation equipment, that rely on copper for operation. Additionally, in fire metallurgy, continuous casting technology has taken a leading position, with the key component, the crystallizer, mostly made of high-strength and high-conductive copper alloys like chrome copper and silver copper. In electro-metallurgy, vacuum arc furnaces and electroslag furnace water-cooled crucibles are manufactured using copper tubing. Various induction heating coils are wound from copper tubes or special-shaped copper tubes, with water cooling inside.
18. Alloy Additives: Copper is an important additive element in alloys such as steel and aluminum. The addition of a small amount of copper (0.2~0.5%) to low-alloy structural steel can enhance its strength and resistance to atmospheric and marine corrosion. Adding copper to corrosion-resistant cast iron and stainless steel further improves their corrosion resistance. High-nickel alloys containing about 30% copper, known as "Monel alloys," are highly corrosion-resistant and are widely used in the nuclear industry.
19. Air Conditioners and Refrigeration Units: The temperature control function of air conditioners and refrigeration units is primarily achieved through the evaporation and condensation of copper tubes in the heat exchangers. The size and thermal conductivity of the heat exchange tubes greatly determine the overall efficiency and miniaturization of the air conditioning and refrigeration systems. High thermal conductivity non-standard copper tubes are used in these machines. By utilizing the excellent machinability of copper, recently developed and produced heat exchange tubes with internal grooves and high fins have been created, which are used in the heat exchangers of air conditioners, refrigeration units, chemical processing, and waste heat recovery systems. These new heat exchange tubes can increase the total thermal conductivity coefficient by 2 to 3 times compared to standard tubes and by 1.2 to 1.3 times compared to standard low-fin tubes. They are already in use domestically, saving 40% of copper and reducing the volume of the heat exchangers by over 1/3.
20. Watches: The watches, timers, and devices with clock mechanisms currently produced, most of whose working parts are made from "clock brass." The alloy contains 1.5-2% lead and has good machinability, suitable for mass production.
21. Papermaking: In today's rapidly changing information age, paper consumption is significant. While paper may appear simple on the surface, the papermaking process is actually quite complex, involving numerous steps and a variety of machinery, such as coolers, evaporators, pulpers, and paper machines. Many components, including various heat exchangers, rollers, beating bars, semi-liquid pumps, and screens, are mostly made of steel alloys.
22. Printing: Photographic plate-making is done using copper plates in the printing process. After the polished copper plates are sensitized with light-sensitive lacquer, an image is formed on them through photography. The sensitized copper plates are then heated to harden the lacquer. To prevent softening due to heat, a small amount of silver or arsenic is often added to the copper to increase the softening temperature. Next, the plate is etched to create a printing surface with a pattern of raised and recessed dots. On an automatic typesetter, type forms are manufactured by arranging brass type blocks, which is another important use of copper in printing. The type blocks are typically made of leaded brass, and sometimes copper or bronze are also used.
23. Brewing: Copper plays a significant role in the world of beer brewing. It is commonly used for the interiors of malt vats and fermentation tanks. Some breweries have as many as a dozen large vats, each exceeding 20,000 gallons in capacity. In fermentation tanks, water-cooled steel pipes are often used for cooling purposes. Steel pipes are also used to heat the beer during brewing with steam, as well as to transport the liquid. For distilling whiskey and other spirits, steel distillation pots are typically employed. Whiskey malt must be distilled twice, requiring two large copper distillation pots.
24. Industrial: Pure copper is used for all types of steam, boiling, and vacuum equipment. Copper alloys are also commonly used for eyeglass frames, etc.
25. Pipe Systems: Copper piping offers numerous advantages such as aesthetic appeal, durability, ease of installation, safety, fire resistance, and hygiene, making it significantly more cost-effective compared to galvanized steel pipes and plastic pipes.
26. Roofing and Interior Renovation: The use of steel sheets for roofs and eaves is a tradition in Europe, and even in Nordic countries, it is used for wall decoration. Copper is highly resistant to atmospheric corrosion, durable, recyclable, and has excellent workability for shaping into complex designs, with its attractive colors making it ideal for building renovation. Its application on the roofs of ancient buildings like churches has a long history, still shining brightly today; and its use in modern large-scale constructions, including apartments and residential buildings, is increasing. For instance, the "Commonwealth Building" in London, representing modern British architectural art, has a complex roof structure made of steel weighing approximately 25 tons; the Crystal Palace sports center, opened in 1966, features a wavy roof made with 60 tons of steel. Statistics show that the average annual consumption of copper sheets for roofing in Germany is 0.8 kg per person, and in the US, it's 0.2 kg. Additionally, for interior renovations such as door handles, locks, blinds, balusters, lighting fixtures, wall decorations, and kitchenware, using steel products not only ensures durability and hygiene but also adds an elegant touch, making them highly popular.
27. Statues and Craftworks: No metal in the world is as widely used in the production of various craftworks as steel, which has been enduring and popular throughout history. In today's urban construction, a multitude of memorials, bells, cauldrons, sculptures, Buddha figures, replicas, and more, all extensively utilize cast copper alloys. Modern musical instruments, such as flutes made of white steel and saxophones made of brass, also require various copper alloys. Exquisite gold-plated and gold/silver replicas, offering great value for their price, also necessitate the use of different copper alloys.
28. Currency: Since the ancestors of humanity first used coins, copper and copper alloys have been used for their production, a tradition passed down through the ages. With the development of modern amenities such as coin-operated phones, public transportation, and shopping, the demand for coinage steel has only increased. In the application of copper coins, in addition to size variations, it is convenient to use different alloy compositions and alter alloy colors to manufacture and differentiate various denominations. Common types include "silver" coins containing 25% nickel, brass coins with 20% zinc and 1% tin, and "copper" coins with a small amount of tin (3%) and zinc (1.5%). Worldwide, the production of copper coins consumes thousands of tons of copper each year. Just the Royal Mint in London produces 700 million copper coins annually, requiring approximately 7,000 tons of metal.
29. Mainframe Computers: Information technology is the vanguard of high-tech. It relies on the crystallization of modern human wisdom—the computer tool—for processing and handling vast and ever-changing information. The heart of the computer consists of microprocessors (including the arithmetic and control units) and memory. These basic components (hardware) are large-scale integrated circuits, with millions of interconnected transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other components on tiny chips for rapid numerical and logical calculations and extensive information storage. These integrated circuit chips must be assembled with lead frames and printed circuit boards to function. As seen in the previous chapter "Applications in Electronics Industry," copper and its alloys are not only important materials in lead frames, solders, and printed circuit boards; they also play a crucial role in the interconnection of the tiny components in integrated circuits.
30. Superconductivity and Low Temperature: Generally, the resistance of materials (except for semiconductors) decreases as the temperature drops. When the temperature is extremely low, the resistance of certain materials can completely disappear, a phenomenon known as superconductivity. The temperature at which superconductivity occurs is referred to as the superconducting critical temperature of the material. The discovery of superconductivity has opened up a new frontier for the utilization of electricity. Since resistance is zero, an extremely small voltage can generate an incredibly large (theoretically infinite) current, producing immense magnetic fields and forces; or, when the current flows through it, there is no voltage drop and energy loss. Clearly, its practical applications are expected to bring about revolutionary changes in human production and living, and are of great interest to people.
31. Application in Agriculture and Pasture: Steel compounds are effective bactericidal pesticides for eliminating pests and diseases, capable of controlling all diseases caused by molds or fungi. Besides directly treating seeds with copper dips, a mixture of copper salts is commonly used in orchards and farmlands. Notable ones include Bordeaux mixture (limed copper solution), named after the French grape-producing region, and Bougogne mixture (soda copper solution), as well as others like fungistat.
32. High Energy Physics: Unveiling the mysteries of matter structure is a major fundamental issue that scientists have been striving to solve. Every step deeper in understanding this issue brings significant impacts to humanity. The current utilization of atomic energy is just one example. Modern physics research has already discovered that the smallest units of matter are not molecules and atoms, but quarks and leptons, which are billions of times smaller. Research on these fundamental particles often requires reaction energies hundreds of times higher than those of nuclear reactions, known as high-energy physics. Such high energies are obtained either by accelerating charged particles over long distances in a strong magnetic field and "bombarding" a fixed target (high-energy) or by colliding two streams of particles moving in opposite directions (colliders). To achieve this, steel is used to construct long-distance channels of strong magnetic fields. Additionally, similar structures are needed in controlled thermonuclear reaction devices. To reduce the temperature rise due to the heating caused by high currents, these magnetic channels are wound with hollow, non-standard copper rods to allow for medium circulation and cooling.
The renewable resources industry, unlike other traditional industries, must not only achieve economic benefits but also consider environmental and social benefits. It is an integrated engineering system that combines economy, technology, and social management. We should learn from the advanced experience of developed countries, formulate policies and measures to encourage technological innovation and investment in construction, and complement with strict and scientific social management methods. This will make the recycling and reuse of renewable resources a conscious action of enterprises, government agencies, groups, and all citizens, jointly creating a beautiful world with economic prosperity, a pleasant environment, and harmonious coexistence between humans and resources!
