How can you tell copper, brass, aluminium and steel apart at home without any special equipment?
Short answer: A magnet, the weight of the item and its colour will answer most questions, since magnets stick to steel and iron but not to copper, brass or aluminium, aluminium feels noticeably light for its size, copper has a reddish colour and brass looks more yellow-gold, and a scratch on a hidden spot can reveal the true colour of the metal under any paint or plating.
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List Free →Start with a magnet
A fridge magnet is a surprisingly useful first test, because steel and iron attract it while copper, brass and aluminium do not, and some stainless steels are only weakly magnetic or not at all, so a magnet narrows the field but does not settle every case.
Use weight and colour to separate the rest
Aluminium feels light compared with steel or brass of the same size, copper looks reddish once any tarnish is scratched through, and brass has a yellower, gold-like tone, so comparing a small scratched spot with a known sample is often enough to tell them apart.
Remember that paint and plating can mislead
Chrome plating, paint and powder coating can hide the metal underneath, so scratch a spot that will not be seen before deciding, and if you still cannot tell, asking a buyer or yard to identify it is better than guessing.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade buyers can identify a mixed pile from your photos and description, so you are not stuck guessing the metal before you list.
Knowing what you have is the first step. ScrapTrade connects you with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments once you are ready to sell.
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