Estimated Composition Of Secondary Copper-Alloy Production In The United States

This table presents the estimated quantities of key metal components—copper, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, and aluminum—used in the production of secondary copper-alloy products in the United States. These products include brass and bronze ingots, brass mill and wire-rod mill products, and brass and bronze castings. Understanding the composition of these alloys is crucial for industries reliant on recycled metals, as it influences material properties, manufacturing processes, and economic value. Tracking these data helps stakeholders assess trends in scrap metal utilization, alloy demand, and the overall health of the secondary copper-alloy sector, which plays a significant role in resource conservation and cost efficiency.

Analysis of the data reveals a general decline in the production of secondary copper-alloy products from 2020 to 2021. Brass and bronze ingots saw a notable decrease in total production from 76,900 metric tons in 2020 to 62,500 metric tons in 2021, with copper content dropping from 65,100 to 52,900 metric tons. Similarly, brass mill and wire-rod mill products decreased slightly from 755,000 metric tons in 2020 to 739,000 metric tons in 2021, with copper content falling from 670,000 to 656,000 metric tons. Brass and bronze castings showed a marginal reduction from 33,700 to 33,100 metric tons total. Across all categories, copper remains the dominant component, accounting for the majority of the alloy mass. The decreases in tin, lead, and zinc content align with the overall production trends, indicating a contraction in secondary copper-alloy manufacturing during this period.