Minimization of Copper Contamination in Steel Scrap

Abstract

Copper and tin, as tramp elements in the steel scrap, cause some harmful effects, such as hot shortness caused by a loss of ductility and surface defects. It is also difficult to maintain the quality of the product because the amount of the residual constituents in steel scrap is not consistent. The secondary steel products require consistent copper content and standard due to the limited use of the product for the various applications. Thermodynamically, removing copper from scrap is a viable option, but in reality, the impurities and the included copper in the melt of steel scrap are difficult to remove by conventional methods. Besides, the research of the recycled steel scrap regarding iron and impurities is limited, and it needs to be conducted, in terms of physical and chemical techniques, as the preliminary study to find the efficient separation method.