How do I verify aluminium wire is actually aluminium and not steel-cored ACSR cable?
Short answer: A magnet test is the fastest check — ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel-Reinforced) cable has a steel core wrapped in aluminium strands, so a magnet will stick to the exposed steel core at a cut end even though the outer strands are non-magnetic aluminium. If you are unsure, cut a short cross-section and look for a distinct grey steel core in the centre.
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List Free →Why this distinction matters for price
ACSR is used for overhead power lines specifically because the steel core adds tensile strength the aluminium alone does not have. If you sell it as “aluminium wire” without disclosing the steel core, expect a buyer to catch it on inspection and downgrade or reject the load — and if you are the one buying it as scrap, paying an aluminium-only rate for ACSR means overpaying for the steel-core weight.
How to check quickly
Cut a short length and look at the cross-section: solid aluminium wire is uniform in colour and texture all the way through, while ACSR shows a visibly different-coloured steel core surrounded by aluminium strands. The magnet test confirms it in seconds if you are not sure what you are looking at visually.
What to do once you know
If you have ACSR, sell it as ACSR — or strip the steel core out yourself if the volume justifies the labour — rather than presenting it as pure aluminium wire. Misrepresenting it, even accidentally, is the kind of thing that damages trust with a buyer you might want to sell to again.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Being upfront about ACSR versus solid aluminium wire in a ScrapTrade listing means buyers who specifically handle steel-cored cable can bid appropriately, rather than a mismatch being caught — and disputed — only after pickup.
Ready to sell or source aluminium scrap without the guesswork? ScrapTrade connects verified buyers and sellers with escrow-protected payments and transparent weighing.
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