Yellow Brass Scrap – Grades, Pricing, and Recycling Applications

What Is Yellow Brass Scrap?

Yellow brass scrap encompasses a family of copper-zinc alloys containing approximately 60–70% copper and 30–40% zinc, producing the characteristic bright yellow color that gives this material its name. Yellow brass is the most common brass alloy family, widely used in plumbing fixtures, valves, ammunition casings, decorative hardware, and electrical connectors.

When these products reach end-of-life, the resulting yellow brass scrap becomes a highly valuable feedstock for brass foundries, copper refineries, and non-ferrous recyclers worldwide. The combination of significant copper content and consistent alloy composition makes yellow brass scrap one of the most liquid and readily traded non-ferrous materials in global markets.

ISRI Grades for Yellow Brass Scrap

Honey (Clean Yellow Brass Solids)

The highest-quality yellow brass scrap classification requires:

Honey-grade yellow brass typically trades at the highest premium to LME copper and zinc prices. Explore our brass scrap products for current availability.

Ocean (Yellow Brass Castings)

Yellow brass castings including valve bodies, pump housings, and decorative hardware. This grade allows:

Lake (Brass Auto Radiators)

Brass radiator cores from older vehicles and industrial heat exchangers. This specialized grade is valued for both its copper and zinc content.

Ebony (Dirty Brass)

Lower-quality yellow brass containing significant contamination:

Chemical Composition

Standard yellow brass (C26000/CuZn30) composition:

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Note: Legacy brass fittings manufactured before lead-free regulations may contain up to 3.5% lead. Buyers should be aware of destination country regulations regarding lead content in imported scrap.

Industrial Applications

Brass Foundries

The primary consumers of yellow brass scrap are foundries that remelt the material to produce new brass products. Clean Honey-grade scrap can be remelted with minimal refining, producing ingots that meet standard CuZn30 or CuZn40 specifications.

Copper Refineries

Yellow brass scrap is processed in copper refineries to recover the copper content. Electrolytic refining separates copper from zinc and other alloying elements, producing cathode-grade copper and zinc oxide as byproducts.

Ingot Manufacturers

Brass ingot makers purchase yellow brass scrap as their primary feedstock, remelting and alloying to produce standard brass ingots for the foundry, forging, and extrusion industries.

Chemical Industry

Zinc recovered from yellow brass scrap is used to produce zinc chemicals including zinc oxide, zinc chloride, and zinc sulfate for agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.

Pricing Factors

Yellow brass scrap pricing is influenced by:

Global Supply and Export Markets

Yellow brass scrap is traded actively in global markets:

Nautica Metal Scrap B.V. exports yellow brass scrap to all these markets from the Port of Rotterdam, offering competitive CFR pricing and full export documentation.

How to Source Reliable Yellow Brass Suppliers

When selecting brass scrap suppliers, buyers should evaluate:

For more guidance, read our article on verifying metal scrap supplier quality.

Why Buyers Choose Nautica Metal Scrap B.V.

Also explore our copper millberry scrap, aluminum 6063 scrap, and electric motor scrap.

Request Bulk Scrap Supply Quote

Ready to secure a reliable supply of yellow brass scrap? Contact Nautica Metal Scrap B.V. for competitive pricing, grade specifications, and delivery terms tailored to your requirements.