Comprehensive price benchmarks, market data, PGM content tables, and industrial scrap statistics. Updated August 01, 2026 by ScrapMetalBuyers.com based on 25+ years of industrial transactions.
Data sourced from LME commodity markets, 2,400+ completed transactions, and industry benchmarks. Last updated: August 01, 2026
⚡ Key Statistics at a Glance
The US scrap metal industry generates $30–$35 billion annually. Most valuable metals by weight: Tantalum ($18–$26/lb), Waspaloy ($12–$20/lb), Inconel 718 ($10–$18/lb). A catalytic converter contains 0–7g platinum, 0–12g palladium, 0–3g rhodium. Copper scrap represents ~40% of all non-ferrous scrap value. Call 754-310-2984 for current confirmed prices.
Reference prices based on current LME commodity markets and our active buying prices. Prices change daily.
| Metal | Price Range | Unit | 5-Year High | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Bare Bright | $4.00–$4.20 | per lb | $4.85 (2022) | LME copper spot price |
| Copper #1 | $3.60–$3.90 | per lb | $4.50 (2022) | LME copper spot price |
| Inconel 625 | $8.00–$14.00 | per lb | $16.00 (2023) | Nickel + niobium prices |
| Inconel 718 | $10.00–$18.00 | per lb | $22.00 (2023) | Nickel + niobium + aerospace demand |
| Hastelloy C-276 | $6.00–$12.00 | per lb | $14.00 (2023) | Nickel + molybdenum prices |
| Waspaloy | $12.00–$20.00 | per lb | $24.00 (2024) | Nickel + cobalt + aerospace demand |
| Stainless Steel 304 | $0.45–$0.65 | per lb | $0.90 (2022) | Nickel price (8% Ni content) |
| Stainless Steel 316 | $0.55–$0.80 | per lb | $1.10 (2022) | Nickel + molybdenum (2% Mo) |
| Titanium Grade 5 | $4.00–$8.00 | per lb | $9.50 (2023) | Titanium sponge price + aerospace demand |
| Tungsten Carbide | $6.00–$12.00 | per lb | $14.00 (2023) | Tungsten APT price |
| Tantalum | $18.00–$26.00 | per lb | $30.00 (2024) | Capacitor demand + EV batteries |
| Catalytic Converter | $50–$800+ | each | $1,200+ (2022) | Platinum, palladium, rhodium spot prices |
Platinum Group Metal (PGM) content by vehicle category. Data based on assay results from 2,400+ transactions.
| Vehicle Category | Platinum (g) | Palladium (g) | Rhodium (g) | Est. Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Car (small) | 1–3g | 2–5g | 0.1–0.5g | $50–$150 |
| Domestic Car (large/V8) | 2–5g | 3–8g | 0.2–1.0g | $100–$300 |
| Import Car (Japanese) | 3–7g | 5–12g | 0.5–2.0g | $200–$600 |
| Import Car (European) | 2–6g | 4–10g | 0.3–1.5g | $150–$500 |
| Diesel (light duty) | 4–8g | 0–2g | 0–0.5g | $100–$300 |
| Diesel (heavy duty/truck) | 5–15g | 0–3g | 0–1.0g | $200–$600 |
| SUV / Truck (domestic) | 2–6g | 4–10g | 0.3–1.5g | $150–$450 |
| Exotic / High-Performance | 5–12g | 8–20g | 1.0–4.0g | $400–$800+ |
PGM spot prices as of August 01, 2026: Platinum ~$960/troy oz, Palladium ~$900/troy oz, Rhodium ~$4,800/troy oz. Values fluctuate daily. Call 754-310-2984 for confirmed pricing.
The same piece of metal can be worth 1x or 25x depending on whether it's properly identified. This is why ScrapMetalBuyers.com uses XRF analysis on all unidentified alloys.
| Metal | If Sold as "Stainless" | If Properly Identified | Value Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inconel 625 (100 lbs) | $45–$65 | $800–$1,400 | 15–25x more |
| Hastelloy C-276 (100 lbs) | $45–$65 | $600–$1,200 | 12–20x more |
| Waspaloy (100 lbs) | $45–$65 | $1,200–$2,000 | 20–35x more |
| Titanium Grade 5 (100 lbs) | $20–$30 (as "scrap") | $400–$800 | 15–30x more |
| Tungsten Carbide (100 lbs) | $20–$30 (as "steel") | $600–$1,200 | 25–50x more |
As of August 01, 2026, the most valuable scrap metals by weight are: Tantalum $18–$26/lb, Waspaloy $12–$20/lb, Inconel 718 $10–$18/lb, Tungsten Carbide $6–$12/lb, Titanium Grade 5 $4–$8/lb, and Copper Bare Bright $4.00–$4.20/lb. Catalytic converters can be worth $50–$800+ each due to platinum, palladium, and rhodium content. Use our price calculator for an instant estimate.
A typical catalytic converter contains 0–7 grams of platinum, 0–12 grams of palladium, and 0–3 grams of rhodium. Foreign (import) catalytic converters typically contain more PGMs than domestic converters. Diesel catalytic converters often contain more platinum. With platinum at ~$960/troy oz, palladium at ~$900/troy oz, and rhodium at ~$4,800/troy oz, a single converter can contain $50–$800+ in PGM value. Call 754-310-2984 for a quote on your specific converters.
The US scrap metal recycling industry generates approximately $30–$35 billion in annual revenue (ISRI 2025). The US produces approximately 70 million metric tons of ferrous scrap and 5–6 million metric tons of non-ferrous scrap annually. Copper scrap alone accounts for approximately 40% of all non-ferrous scrap metal value. The industrial scrap segment (plant shutdowns, manufacturing surplus) represents the highest-value tier of the market.
Inconel and stainless steel look nearly identical to the naked eye. Reliable identification methods: (1) Check for alloy stamps or tags — Inconel is typically marked "625," "718," or "Inconel"; (2) XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis — the definitive test, measures nickel and niobium content; (3) Magnetic test — Inconel 625 is non-magnetic, while some stainless grades (410, 430) are magnetic; (4) Weight — Inconel is slightly denser than stainless. Call 754-310-2984 — we perform free XRF testing on unidentified alloys.
As of August 01, 2026: Stainless 304 scrap = $0.45–$0.65/lb. Inconel 625 scrap = $8–$14/lb. That's a 15–25x price difference for material that looks identical. A 100-lb piece of Inconel 625 is worth $800–$1,400 vs. $45–$65 if sold as generic stainless. This is why proper alloy identification is critical before selling industrial scrap metal.