In the recycling and processing of waste wires and cables, the proper material selection for a copper wire granulator directly affects separation purity, output quality, and overall economic benefits. Choosing suitable raw materials based on equipment performance is key to achieving stable and efficient copper recycling.
The ideal materials for a copper wire granulator are various dry, non-greasy, plastic-insulated copper wires with tight bonding between the metal and insulation. Commonly applicable materials include household electrical wires, automotive wiring harnesses, communication cables, network cables, computer data lines, internal electronic wires, thin miscellaneous wires, and ordinary low-voltage power cables. These materials are mainly composed of a copper core and plastic or rubber insulation, which can be effectively separated into high-purity copper rice and reusable plastic granules after crushing, air separation, and electrostatic separation.
Three practical principles should be followed for material selection:
First, prioritize
dry and oil-free wires. Moist or greasy cables will reduce separation accuracy, causing plastic residue in copper granules or copper powder in plastic flakes, thus lowering product prices.
Second, control
wire diameter and hardness. Standard dry-type copper wire granulators are suitable for wires with a diameter of 0.2 mm to 20 mm. Oversized armored cables or high-voltage cables with thick steel sheaths require pre-shredding to avoid equipment damage.
Third, remove
hard impurities such as mud, sand, iron blocks, and non-copper metals. These impurities accelerate tool wear and reduce separation efficiency, so pre-sorting is recommended before feeding.
Materials not recommended for direct processing include heavily oil-soaked wires, waterlogged cables, thick steel/ aluminum armored cables, muddy cables, and non-cable metal scraps. These materials either reduce recovery rates or accelerate component wear, increasing production costs.
Proper material selection and pre-treatment can protect the equipment, extend its service life, and stably improve the purity of copper granules and plastic recovery rate. Rational material selection is the foundation for efficient and reliable operation of a copper wire granulator.
