To briquette copper granules from cable scrap (also called chopped copper wire), you are typically dealing with high-density, small-particle material that is difficult to compact without the right machine configuration.

Here is a technical breakdown of the process, the required machinery, and the common challenges.

1. The Problem: "Spring Back"

Copper granules are malleable but have a smooth surface. When compressed, air gets trapped between the particles. If you use a standard hydraulic briquette press without de-aeration, the copper will act like a spring. It will expand (crack) as soon as you remove it from the die, resulting in "mushroom" shaped billets that fall apart.

2. The Solution: High Pressure + Pre-compression

To successfully briquette copper granules, you need two specific mechanical features:

High Tonnage: Copper requires significantly higher pressure than aluminum or steel swarf. You generally need a press capable of 2000+ PSI at the material.

Pre-compression (Step Compaction): The press must compress the material in stages to push the air out before the final compaction stroke. This prevents laminations (splitting) in the briquette.

3. Best Machine Type: The "Briquetting Press"

While hydraulic log balers exist, they are for light material like cardboard. For copper granules, you need a dedicated Briquetting Press.

Recommended Style: Automatic, closed die system (often called a "Metal Chip Briquette Press").

Configuration: Look for a Vertical Briquetting Press with a retracting die or a Horizontal Press with a multi-stage compression cycle.

Binding Agent: No binding agent is required. If the pressure is sufficient, pure copper will cold-weld to itself. If your briquettes break, it is a lack of pressure/compression, not a lack of glue.

4. The Process Flow

Feed: The granules are fed via a conveyor or auger into the pressing chamber.

Compression Cycle: The main cylinder pushes the copper into a die. As it compresses, the air is expelled.

Ejection: The finished briquette (usually round or hexagon shaped) is ejected and falls onto a pallet or conveyor.

Result: A dense pucks (usually 2–4 inches thick and 3–5 inches in diameter) weighing between 2–5 kg.

5. Critical Operational Requirements

Dry Material: The granules must be completely dry. Even 1% moisture content will turn the briquette into a steam bomb. The pressure will trap the water, and when the briquette is ejected (decompression), the steam expansion will explode the briquette instantly.

Note: If your cable was water-separated, you must run the granules through a thermal dryer or a centrifuge before briquetting.

Dust Fines: If your material contains a high percentage of "fluff" (plastic dust from the separator) or very fine copper dust, the briquette may be brittle. Ideally, the feed should be "noodle" cut or granulated to a consistent size (e.g., 2mm – 6mm).

6. Economic Justification

Volume Reduction: Briquetting reduces the volume of copper scrap by roughly 80–90%. This drastically cuts freight costs when shipping to the smelter.

Premium Pricing: Smelters pay a premium for "Briquetted" copper versus "Granulated" copper because:

It is safer to charge into the furnace (less oxidation loss).

It is easier to handle and weigh.

Summary: You do not briquette copper to make it pretty; you briquette it because the logistics savings and smelter premium justify the cost of the high-pressure press. If you are currently producing significant volume (10+ tons per week), it is a worthwhile investment.

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