Scrap metal prices Frederick, Maryland. Here are some examples of common non-ferrous metals we purchase: Copper is commonly sorted into five main categories: bare bright wire, #1, #2, light copper, and insulated wire. Insulated wire is sorted and priced based on the percentage of copper we can recover after the insulation is removed. Brass is typically sorted into two categories: red or yellow. Red contains roughly 10% tin and is becoming more rare. Aluminum is sorted into many different grades. The most common classes are extrusions, cast, siding, beverage cans, alloy wheels, and electrical wire. Stainless steel generally is found in one of two types: 304 or 316. Alloys with greater nickel content fetch a higher value. Lead is often used in car batteries and x-ray screening. Zinc is used in modern plumbing fixtures usually for components that don’t come into direct contact with water. The scales at Reliable Recycling are certified by weights and measures officials from the State of Maryland, and inspected semi-annually. Our scales range from platform scales that can weigh as little as one pound, up to large truck scales able to accommodate tractor-trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds.