BS EN 12861:2018

What is BS EN 12861 - Copper and copper alloys about?  

BS EN 12861 is a European standard on copper and copper alloys that discusses the test procedures for melting of copper scrap. BS EN 12861 specifies the requirements for characteristics, condition, moisture, composition, metal content, metal yield, and test procedures of metallic raw materials for direct melting (melting grades) in the form of copper and copper alloy scrap. 

All provisions of BS EN 12861 apply regardless of the legal status of the scrap. The respective legal requirements should be met. 

Who is BS EN 12861 - Copper and copper alloys for?  

BS EN 12861 on copper and copper alloys is relevant to: 

• Copper and copper alloys industries  

Why should you use BS EN 12861 - Copper and copper alloys? 

There are four primary categories of copper scrap: Bare bright copper wire is defined as clean, bare, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire, not smaller than No. 16 gauge wire. Bare bright also should be free of copper tubing, burnt copper wire, and nonmetallics. 

BS EN 12861 navigates you through the moisture content, metal content/metal yield, an inspection of incoming material, test procedures. 

As a user of BS EN 12861, you can be ensured of characteristics, condition, moisture, composition, metal content, metal yield. 

The test procedures provided in BS EN 12861 helps you in melting metallic raw materials in the form of copper and copper alloy scrap. BS EN 12861 provides you with comprehensive information useful throughout the process. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 12861:2018 supersedes BS EN 12861:1999, which is withdrawn. 

In comparison with EN 12861:1999, the following significant technical changes were made: 

• Replacement of secondary raw materials by metallic raw materials 
• Modification of material numbers for S-Cu-1, S-Cu-2, S-Cu-3, S-Cu-4, S-Cu-5, S-Cu-10A, S-CuZn-1A, S-CuZn-1B, S-CuZn-1C, S-CuZn-2 and S-CuZn-3 
• Modification of subclauses B.4 “Type S-CuZn-4” (Cu max. 65 % Copper-zinc alloy) and B.5 “Type SCuZn- 5” (Cu max. 65 % Copper-zinc alloy turnings) 
• Introduction of the new subclauses B.8 “Type S-CuZn-8” (Silicon bearing copper-zinc alloys) and B.9 “Type S-CuZn-9” (Silicon bearing copper-zinc alloys turnings) 
• Renumbering of annexes.