Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe Scrap consists of heat-exchanger cores made from copper tubing and aluminum fins with iron or steel attachments still present. Commonly called dirty Al/Cu radiators, irony AC coils or contaminated copper/aluminum radiators, these assemblies are recovered from air-conditioning, refrigeration and industrial cooling equipment.
The designation /Fe identifies ferrous material attached to the heat exchanger. Unlike clean aluminum/copper radiators classified under the ReMA/ISRI Talk specification, /Fe material requires further preparation or acceptance under a separate buyer-defined grade. Its recycling value depends on recoverable copper and aluminum, contamination, material weight and processing requirements.
Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe: Quick Facts
- Material category: Nonferrous heat-exchanger scrap with ferrous attachments
- Common names: Al/Cu Radiators /Fe, Cu/Al Radiators /Fe, Dirty ACR, Irony Al/Cu Radiators and AC Core Radiator Dirty
- Primary recoverable metals: Copper and aluminum
- Additional material: Iron or steel attachments; other contamination may also be present
- /Fe meaning: Iron or ferrous components remain attached
- Related ReMA/ISRI code: Talk, applicable to qualifying clean cores
- /Fe classification: Commercial dirty radiator grade, not a separate ReMA specification
- Common sources: Air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigeration systems and industrial cooling equipment
- Related materials: Clean Al/Cu Radiators and Cu/Al Radiator Ends
- Key pricing factors: Copper and aluminum content, ferrous attachments, contamination, preparation and location
- Potential buyers: Nonferrous scrap yards, HVAC recyclers and specialized metal processors
What Is Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe Scrap?
Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe are heat-exchanger assemblies containing copper tubing, aluminum fins and attached ferrous material.
The core is designed to transfer heat between a working fluid and surrounding air. Copper tubing carries the fluid, while aluminum fins increase the surface area available for heat exchange.
At the end of the equipment's useful life, these metal assemblies can be recovered for recycling.
However, removed heat exchangers may still have steel brackets, mounting frames, end plates, clips and other components attached.
These attachments distinguish the material from a fully prepared clean Al/Cu radiator core.
Important distinction: Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe is a commercial scrap grade for attached or contaminated assemblies. It should not be represented as clean ReMA Talk material.
What Does /Fe Mean in Radiator Scrap?
Fe is the chemical symbol for iron.
In scrap-market terminology, the designation /Fe commonly indicates that iron or steel remains attached to a material otherwise composed largely of nonferrous metals.
For copper/aluminum radiators, these attachments may include:
- Steel end plates
- Iron mounting brackets
- Steel side frames
- Metal supports
- Bolts and screws
- Mounting clips
- Other ferrous hardware
Attached iron and steel contribute weight to the assembly but do not add to its recoverable copper or aluminum content.
As a result, recyclers often purchase /Fe radiators under a different grade from clean heat-exchanger cores.
Grading note: The /Fe designation does not establish a universal permitted iron percentage. Buyers may set their own preparation and contamination requirements.
ReMA/ISRI Talk: The Specification for Clean Al/Cu Radiators
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) maintains the ISRI Specifications used as reference descriptions in commercial recycled-metal transactions.
Talk is the recognized specification for Aluminum Copper Radiators.
It covers clean aluminum-and-copper radiators or aluminum fins on copper tubing.
What Is Required for Talk?
Qualifying material must be free of:
- Brass tubing
- Iron
- Other foreign contamination
A copper/aluminum heat exchanger with steel frames or iron end plates attached does not satisfy the standard clean Talk specification.
Removing those attachments may allow the remaining core to be evaluated for Talk, provided all other material requirements are satisfied.
However, ReMA does not establish a separate standardized grade named Al/Cu Radiators /Fe.
Commercial principle: Sellers should distinguish between material meeting an official clean specification and dirty radiator categories established by individual buyers.
See RecyclingMonster's Clean Copper/Aluminum Radiator Scrap Guide for additional information about ReMA Talk and fully prepared heat-exchanger cores.
Clean vs. Dirty Copper/Aluminum Radiators
The difference between clean and dirty Al/Cu radiator scrap is principally the presence of foreign materials and the proportion of recoverable copper and aluminum.
| Characteristic | Clean Al/Cu | Al/Cu /Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Primary metals | Copper and aluminum | Copper and aluminum |
| Steel attachments | Excluded | Present |
| Trade specification | May qualify as Talk | Buyer-defined dirty grade |
| Preparation | Foreign attachments removed | Additional sorting may be required |
| Price | Clean-grade quotation | Dirty or irony-grade quotation |
A clean core generally has a greater concentration of copper and aluminum per pound than an otherwise identical radiator with steel attached.
That often results in a higher buying price per pound, but the seller's total return depends on the amount of removed material and preparation expense.
What Is an Irony Al/Cu Radiator?
Irony is a common scrap-industry description for nonferrous material containing significant iron or steel attachments.
An Irony Al/Cu Radiator is therefore a copper/aluminum heat exchanger that has not been fully separated from its ferrous components.
RecyclingMonster's price records include related descriptions such as:
- Cu/Al Radiators /Fe
- Al/Cu Radiators /Fe
- Contaminated Irony Al/Cu Radiators
- Contaminated Al/Cu Radiator
- AC Core Radiator Dirty
- Al/Cu Fins with Fe
These descriptions identify related commercial products, but they should not automatically be treated as identical grades.
For example, one buyer may accept steel end plates on an irony radiator but require large plastic housings to be removed. Another may have different limits.
For bulk sales, obtain the buyer's written description of the accepted material.
Where Do Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe Come From?
Al/Cu heat exchangers are used in residential, commercial and industrial cooling systems.
Common sources of recovered dirty radiator assemblies include:
- Residential air conditioners: Condenser and evaporator assemblies
- Commercial HVAC systems: Cooling and heating-system coils
- Heat pumps: Copper-tube and aluminum-fin heat exchangers
- Commercial refrigeration: Condenser and evaporator coils
- Walk-in coolers and freezers: Refrigeration equipment
- Refrigerated display cases: Cooling coils and supporting assemblies
- Dehumidifiers: Suitable fin-and-tube heat exchangers
- Industrial cooling systems: Selected liquid-to-air heat exchangers
- Equipment dismantling: Removed assemblies awaiting further preparation
Not every air conditioner or refrigeration appliance contains the same metals. Some heat exchangers use all-aluminum construction, and others incorporate different materials.
The actual core composition should be identified before assigning an Al/Cu scrap grade.
Why Are HVAC Coils Called Radiators in Scrap Trading?
The word radiator is used broadly in the metal recycling industry for several types of heat exchangers.
Many Al/Cu coils recovered from air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment are technically condensers or evaporators rather than automotive radiators.
However, scrap yards commonly classify them under terms such as AC Coils, ACR Scrap, Copper/Aluminum Radiators and Al/Cu Heat Exchangers.
The classification generally focuses on the recovered metal construction rather than the equipment's original function.
What Metals Are Found in Al/Cu Radiators /Fe?
A contaminated copper/aluminum radiator typically contains several material fractions.
Copper Tubing
Copper tubes carry refrigerant, coolant or another heat-transfer fluid. They are a principal source of recoverable copper.
Aluminum Fins
Closely spaced aluminum fins increase heat-transfer surface area and provide the principal aluminum fraction.
Iron and Steel
Steel end plates, supports, frames, brackets and other hardware account for the /Fe classification.
Other Possible Materials
Depending on construction, assemblies may also contain brazing filler metal, solder, brass fittings, plastics, rubber or insulation.
These additional materials can affect purchasing acceptance and recovery economics.
Material composition: There is no universal copper-to-aluminum ratio or ferrous percentage for all dirty Al/Cu radiators.
How to Identify Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe
Accurate identification begins by verifying the core metals and checking attached components.
- Inspect the core: Look for thin aluminum fins and copper tubing.
- Check exposed tubing: Copper often has a reddish-brown appearance at accessible uncoated surfaces.
- Identify the tube bends: U-shaped copper bends may be visible at the ends of some coils.
- Use a magnet: Test accessible brackets and frames for iron or steel.
- Check end plates: Determine whether substantial steel sections remain attached.
- Inspect housings: Identify plastic, rubber and unrelated components.
- Identify foreign metals: Note brass fittings, tubing or other material.
- Confirm safe removal: Ensure refrigeration equipment has been appropriately serviced before dismantling.
- Compare buyer grades: Determine whether /Fe, Dirty ACR or another accepted grade applies.
Identification warning: Magnetic testing can reveal many ferrous attachments, but it cannot identify every metal or determine alloy composition. Do not cut into a charged refrigerant circuit for material identification.
Are Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe Magnetic?
Copper and aluminum are nonferrous materials and do not normally respond strongly to a conventional magnet.
Steel and iron attachments generally do respond to magnetic testing.
A magnetic response may therefore help identify the ferrous part of a radiator assembly.
However, a magnet is only a screening tool. A radiator may still contain other contamination that does not respond to a magnet.
Should You Remove Steel From an Al/Cu Radiator?
Removing steel can increase the percentage of recoverable copper and aluminum in the remaining core.
It may also allow the prepared material to qualify for a clean purchasing category rather than an /Fe or dirty grade.
However, whether this creates additional profit depends on the economics of preparation.
Compare the Selling Options
Before processing a batch, establish:
- The complete /Fe radiator weight
- The current dirty radiator price
- The estimated clean-core weight after processing
- The clean Al/Cu radiator price
- The estimated weight and selling grade of removed ends
- The cost of cutting or separation
- Handling, transportation and other expenses
Calculate the Net Return
Unprepared sale: Total dirty radiator weight multiplied by the accepted /Fe price.
Prepared sale: Clean-core revenue plus the value of accepted separated ends, minus preparation and additional handling expenses.
The more profitable option depends on actual weights, accepted grades and buyer quotations.
Commercial recommendation: For bulk loads, test a representative batch before committing substantial labor to cleaning every unit.
What Parts Are Removed to Produce Clean ACR Scrap?
Depending on construction and the buyer's specification, cleaning may involve removing:
- Steel end plates
- Iron side frames
- Mounting brackets
- Large bolts or screws
- Plastic housings
- Fan assemblies
- Rubber attachments
- Other prohibited foreign components
Not every radiator uses the same design or preparation method.
Before removing large assemblies, confirm the buyer's accepted clean-grade requirements and whether separated material receives a different purchase price.
Cu/Al Radiators /Fe vs. Cu/Al Radiator Ends
The two commercial categories describe different physical material streams.
Cu/Al Radiators /Fe generally refers to the radiator core while ferrous end sections or attachments remain present.
Cu/Al Radiator Ends refers to sections cut from the ends of the radiator during preparation.
Depending on equipment construction, separated ends may contain copper tube bends, steel components and portions of aluminum-fin material.
Some recyclers purchase radiator ends under a dedicated grade, while others use broader contaminated-metal categories.
Learn more through RecyclingMonster's Copper/Aluminum Radiator Ends Scrap Guide.
Important: Do not assume radiator ends are pure steel, pure copper or clean copper/aluminum scrap. Their commercial classification depends on actual composition and the buyer's requirements.
Cu/Al Radiators /Fe vs. Copper/Brass Radiators
Dirty copper/aluminum radiators should not be mixed with copper/brass radiator scrap.
Copper/Aluminum Radiators commonly contain copper tubing combined with aluminum fins.
Copper/Brass Radiators contain a different mixture of copper and brass components and are associated with certain automotive and industrial heat exchangers.
The metal composition and downstream recovery process can differ.
Accurate separation allows recyclers to evaluate each material under the correct purchasing grade.
Cu/Al Radiators /Fe vs. All-Aluminum Radiators
All-aluminum heat exchangers use aluminum for their principal tube and fin structure rather than copper tubes surrounded by aluminum fins.
ReMA maintains a separate Tally specification covering all-aluminum automobile radiators and condensers.
Tally allows a combined maximum of 1% specified contaminants including iron, plastic and foam, with other deviations subject to buyer-seller agreement.
It is not a general specification for every all-aluminum HVAC coil.
Compare Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Radiator Scrap Prices for related material information.
Can Plastic and Rubber Remain Attached to Dirty ACR?
Some dirty radiator buyers accept limited plastic, rubber or other nonmetallic attachments as part of a contaminated assembly.
However, there is no universal contamination allowance across every /Fe or irony grade.
Large plastic tanks, shrouds, fan housings and rubber components can reduce the recoverable metal percentage.
They may also require additional preparation or cause the material to be assigned to another grade.
For commercial loads, ask whether the buyer requires:
- Plastic housings to be removed
- Fan assemblies to be separated
- Rubber components to be removed
- Steel ends to remain or be cut off
- Specific maximum contamination levels
The material must also meet the buyer's safety and shipment requirements.
Refrigerant Recovery Before HVAC Coil Recycling
Air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators and commercial refrigeration systems can contain refrigerant under pressure.
Removing a radiator or coil from a charged refrigeration circuit can create safety hazards and lead to unlawful refrigerant releases.
In the United States, EPA Section 608 establishes refrigerant-management requirements for covered stationary air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Appropriate refrigerant recovery must be completed before regulated servicing or dismantling operations.
Additional safe-disposal and documentation requirements apply to certain appliances entering the waste stream.
Regulatory requirements vary with equipment type, handling activity and jurisdiction. Canadian operations must follow applicable federal, provincial and territorial requirements.
Critical safety rule: Never cut refrigerant tubing simply to recover copper or aluminum while the system remains charged. Ensure required refrigerant recovery and applicable safety procedures have been completed first.
Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe Scrap Prices
Dirty Al/Cu Radiator Scrap prices reflect the recoverable copper and aluminum content, the amount of foreign material, processing requirements and current market conditions.
Buyers may maintain different purchase grades for:
- Cu/Al Radiators /Fe
- Al/Cu Radiators /Fe
- Dirty ACR
- AC Core Radiator Dirty
- Contaminated Irony Al/Cu Radiators
- Al/Cu Fins with Fe
These names may represent different material conditions or purchasing standards. They should not automatically be combined into one average price.
What Determines the Scrap Price?
- Copper content: Recoverable copper tubing within the assembly
- Aluminum content: Recoverable aluminum-fin material
- Iron and steel: Additional ferrous weight and preparation requirements
- Nonmetallic contamination: Plastic, rubber, dirt and other attachments
- Accepted grade: The buyer's specific dirty radiator classification
- Market conditions: Copper, aluminum and secondary-metal demand
- Preparation: Whole cores versus processed cores and separated ends
- Quantity: Shipment size and consistency
- Location: Transportation costs and local buyer competition
- Commercial terms: Weighing, inspection and deductions
Available Cu/Al Radiators /Fe Scrap Prices
Review the available RecyclingMonster price records below. Confirm that the reported grade actually describes an /Fe or dirty aluminum/copper radiator rather than clean Talk material.
Always check the observation date, location, currency, weight unit and material description.
price
For related market observations, visit Copper Scrap Prices and Aluminum Scrap Prices.
These general metal prices provide market context but do not represent the buying price of a complete dirty radiator assembly.
Are Clean Al/Cu Radiators Always Worth More Than /Fe?
A clean heat-exchanger core generally contains a larger share of recoverable copper and aluminum per pound than the same assembly with heavy steel attachments.
As a result, buyers often offer a higher price per pound for clean cores.
However, the total revenue from selling prepared material depends on how much of the original weight remains, the value of removed sections and the cost of processing.
There is no permanent or universal price spread between clean and /Fe radiators.
Compare actual quotations for the same location and reporting period before deciding whether additional preparation is worthwhile.
How to Sort and Prepare Al/Cu Radiators /Fe for Sale
Good preparation begins with safely identifying the material and the receiving buyer's acceptance requirements.
- Verify refrigerant recovery: Confirm required recovery before dismantling HVAC or refrigeration equipment.
- Identify the core metals: Confirm copper tubing and aluminum fins.
- Separate radiator types: Keep Al/Cu, copper/brass and all-aluminum radiators apart.
- Identify ferrous attachments: Use suitable visual and magnetic screening.
- Separate clean and dirty cores: Avoid downgrading clean material through mixing.
- Evaluate steel removal: Compare clean and dirty pricing before processing.
- Keep radiator ends separate: When the buyer maintains a dedicated purchasing category.
- Control other contamination: Keep unrelated steel, plastic, dirt and demolition debris out of the load.
- Confirm packaging: Ask about accepted dimensions, pallets, containers and loading conditions.
- Document commercial loads: Record material grade, weight, source, preparation and buyer specifications.
Safety note: Radiator fins and cut metal can have sharp edges. Cutting, handling and processing equipment must be operated using appropriate safety procedures. Do not burn coatings or use uncontrolled cutting or melting methods to prepare material.
How Are Dirty Copper/Aluminum Radiators Recycled?
Dirty copper/aluminum radiators can be processed to recover copper, aluminum and ferrous material through professional metal recycling operations.
A typical process may include:
- Receiving and inspection: Material is weighed and graded.
- Safety verification: Applicable refrigerant recovery and equipment-management requirements are confirmed.
- Foreign-material removal: Steel frames, plastic and other attachments are removed as required.
- Ferrous separation: Iron and steel components are collected for appropriate recycling.
- Core preparation: Copper/aluminum heat exchangers are sized or mechanically processed.
- Nonferrous separation: Copper-rich and aluminum-rich fractions are recovered using suitable equipment.
- Material assessment: Recovered metals are checked for purity and contamination.
- Secondary-metal processing: Suitable fractions enter copper and aluminum recycling streams.
- Manufacturing: Recovered metals provide feedstock for applicable new industrial products.
Not every recycler follows the same processing sequence. Some purchase complete /Fe assemblies for further processing, while others specialize in cleaner cores or separated materials.
Where Can You Sell Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe?
Dirty Al/Cu Radiator Scrap may be purchased by nonferrous scrap yards, HVAC equipment recyclers, specialized radiator processors and other metal recycling facilities.
Not every yard has a dedicated /Fe grade. Some accept these assemblies as dirty ACR, irony radiators or another buyer-defined category.
yards
Use RecyclingMonster's AL/CU Radiators Recycling Centers Directory to research facilities listing Al/Cu radiator material.
For separately prepared cores, use the Clean Aluminum Copper Radiators Recycling Centers Directory.
The broader Recycle an Item resource allows searches for related material descriptions, including dirty radiator and steel-bearing heat-exchanger grades.
You can also browse Metal Recycling Centers and Scrap Yards.
Buyer verification: Inclusion in a directory does not confirm that a facility currently purchases dirty /Fe radiators. Confirm the accepted grade, contamination limits, pickup arrangements and quotation before delivery.
Bulk Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe: Commercial Requirements
HVAC contractors, refrigeration service companies, demolition firms, appliance dismantlers, industrial maintenance facilities and scrap processors can generate substantial quantities of dirty radiator assemblies.
For regular or bulk commercial shipments, confirm:
- Accepted /Fe, Dirty ACR or equivalent purchasing grade
- Whether clean Talk material is purchased separately
- Permitted iron and steel attachments
- Accepted plastic and rubber contamination
- Required removal of steel end plates or brackets
- Separate pricing for Cu/Al Radiator Ends
- Maximum coil dimensions and preparation requirements
- Refrigerant recovery and equipment-disposal documentation
- Minimum shipment quantities
- Available gaylords, pallets, roll-offs or containers
- Collection schedules and loading requirements
- Delivered versus collected purchase rates
- Weighing, inspection and grading procedures
- Sampling, deductions and rejection conditions
- Freight, processing and handling charges
- Payment and settlement arrangements
Separating clean cores, /Fe assemblies and removed ends at the point of generation can reduce unnecessary mixing and improve grading consistency.
However, collection services, free pickup and higher bulk prices depend on the buyer's commercial requirements and are not guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe
What does /Fe mean in Copper/Aluminum Radiator Scrap?
Fe is the chemical symbol for iron. The /Fe designation generally identifies copper/aluminum radiator assemblies with attached iron or steel components.
Does Al/Cu Radiators /Fe qualify as ReMA Talk?
No. Talk requires clean aluminum/copper radiator material free of iron, brass tubing and other foreign contamination. Steel-bearing /Fe assemblies do not meet that specification as received.
Should steel ends be removed before selling?
Only when the buyer's requirements and expected net returns justify the work. Compare clean and dirty prices, recovered weights, radiator-end value and preparation costs.
Can dirty air-conditioning coils be cut out before refrigerant recovery?
No. Refrigeration systems must be handled according to applicable refrigerant recovery and safety requirements before charged circuits are opened.
How much are Cu/Al Radiators /Fe worth per pound?
Prices depend on copper and aluminum content, steel attachments, contamination, buyer location and reporting date. Compare dated /Fe-specific buying quotations rather than clean radiator prices.
Explore More Copper and Aluminum Recycling Resources
Compare heat-exchanger grades, review reported scrap-metal prices and locate potential recycling buyers through RecyclingMonster.
- Clean Copper/Aluminum Radiator Scrap Guide
- Copper/Aluminum Radiator Ends Material Guide
- Aluminum Radiators Material Guide
- Copper Scrap Prices
- Aluminum Scrap Prices
- Aluminum Radiator Scrap Prices
- Scrap Metal Price Database
- AL/CU Radiators Recycling Centers
- Clean Aluminum Copper Radiator Recycling Centers
- Find a Recycling Center by Material
- Metal Recycling Centers and Scrap Yards
- Scrap Materials and Specifications Library
- Recycling Industry News and Articles
- RecyclingMonster Homepage
Material information and safety notice: Copper/Aluminum Radiators /Fe Scrap grading, metal recovery, purchasing prices and recycler acceptance vary by material composition, contamination, preparation, buyer and location. Refrigeration equipment may contain pressurized refrigerant requiring regulated recovery before dismantling. ReMA/ISRI Talk applies to qualifying clean cores rather than /Fe assemblies. Final commercial terms depend on the buyer-seller agreement.