North American Scrap Market Sees Copper and Brass Price Uptick on the Index- May 12, 2026

Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, and MLC Clips held steady at prior levels, while Mixed Aluminum Turnings also remained unchanged.

TORONTO (Scrap Monster): North American copper and brass/bronze scrap prices ticked higher on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026. E.C. Aluminum Wire prices also posted a slight increase, while all other commodities remained stable.

Copper scrap prices recorded a marginal increase
Aluminum scrap saw a rise in E.C. Aluminum Wire prices

Brass and bronze scrap edged higher

Stainless steel scrap showed no variation

Steel scrap prices followed a flat trend

Copper Scrap Prices

Alternator scrap prices held steady when compared to the previous day.

#1 Copper Wire and Tubing rose by $0.12/lb, while #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also gained $0.12/lb.

#1 Copper Bare Bright edged higher by $0.12/lb.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire (85% recovery) and #2 Insulated Copper Wire (50% recovery) each increased by $0.03/lb.

#3 Copper (light copper) also jumped by $0.12/lb.

Copper radiator scrap recorded a strong rise of $0.04/lb, while Copper Transformer Scrap recorded no chnage on the Index.

Cu Yokes increased by $0.02/lb.

Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators, and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe remained stable as of May 12, 2026.

Harness Wire (35% recovery) and Romex Wire each rose by $0.03/lb.

Heater Cores edged higher by $0.02/lb.

Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed Units and Xmas Lights showed no change from the previous day.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

1100 Scrap prices remained flat over the day, while 3003 Scrap also held steady on the Index.

6063 Extrusions, 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6063 Extrusions/Fe showed no change, and 6063 Extrusions remained stable.

5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions were unchanged compared to the previous day.

Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe prices stayed flat, while Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers, and Breakage (50% recovery) also remained unchanged as of May 12, 2026.

E.C. Aluminum Wire posted a slight increase of $0.01/lb on the Index.

Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, and MLC Clips held steady at prior levels, while Mixed Aluminum Turnings also remained unchanged.

Old Cast and UBC showed no change from the previous day, and Old Sheet, Painted Siding, and Zorba 90% NF likewise remained stable.

Steel Scrap Prices

#1 Bundle prices showed no change

#1 Busheling remained flat
#1 HMS held steady
HMS 80/20 maintained stable pricing

Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap, and Structural Steel also recorded no change in prices as of May 12, 2026.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

201 SS and 301 SS prices reported no change.

304 SS Solid remained flat compared to the previous day, while 304 SS Turning also showed no movement as of May 12, 2026.

309 SS and 310 SS prices were unchanged from prior levels, and 330 SS remained flat.

316 SS Solid prices likewise stayed unchanged on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

North American Brass/Bronze scrap prices recorded a marginal increase on the Index.

70/30 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap, and Brass Radiator scrap all rose by $0.03/lb as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

80/20 Brass Scrap, Brass Radiator/Fe, and Brass Radiator Ends held steady compared to the previous day’s levels.

Red Brass, Red Borings, and Yellow Brass also increased by $0.03/lb on the Index.