Average Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) Price

Blended rate: local Phoenix, Arizona prices + national trend. As of 2/17/2026.
$0.56/ lb -$0.45 (10.8%)
Use this as a baseline for negotiations. Always call local yards to confirm their rate for your load size.GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.56
Lowest price $0.40
Highest price$0.90Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer

The min/max range reflects a blended index (local + national data). Your local high may be lower.

  • Low (up to $0.40): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.56): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.90+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $0.25 to $0.62.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to LME pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~49.6% (-$0.49/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 39%–51%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Stable market. Prices have held steady over the past 6 months.
Pricing verified from 2 live board rates today.

Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) price reference for Phoenix, Arizona

Scrap yards in Phoenix, Arizona don’t always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($0.61/lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) prices across the U.S. →

Top Scrap Yards Buying Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) in Phoenix

These are scrap yards in Phoenix, Arizona that recently updated Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) prices in our database. Call them to lock in a quote. If your city isn't listed, use the National Index above as a bargaining reference with your nearest buyer.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 32 days ago

E-Z Money Recycling LLC

Listed as: Insulated Aluminum
1234 S 7th St, Phoenix Get Directions
$0.50 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

E-Z Money Recycling LLC

Listed as: Insulated Aluminum
1234 S 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Get Directions
$0.50 / lb

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How Does Insulated Aluminum Wire Compare to Other Grades?

The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.

Sort separately
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.35 / lb How to sort?
Mix it with Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR)?They’ll pay $0.56 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.79 per lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.35 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.28 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Painted Aluminum Extrusion Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum BX Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.90 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.85 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Siding & Gutters Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.81 / lb
Trend (30d): +18.3%
Price analytics
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.81 / lb
Trend (6m): 0.4%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.80 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6061 Structural Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.77 / lb
Trend (30d): +7.6%
Price analytics
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.70 / lb
Trend (90d): +21.5%
Price analytics
Lithographic Plates (Litho) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.70 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Clips & MLC Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.65 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.65 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.60 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Thermal Break Aluminum Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.60 / lb
Trend (6m): +1.1%
Price analytics
Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.55 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Cast Aluminum Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.50 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Sheet Estimated prices in Arizona
Avg price:$0.45 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.26 / lb
Trend (6m): -38.8%
Price analytics
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Irony & Breakage Aluminum Estimated prices in Arizona
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics

Historical Price Trends for Insulated Aluminum & ACSR

This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.

Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.56
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$0.49/lb
vs. exchange

World market price (LME)

$0.9916
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The LME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between LME and what you pocket is the yard’s margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) is 49.6%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (47%–53%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
March 2026 (current)$1.096662$0.62-$0.48 (43.7%)
February 2026$1.2032$0.65-$0.55 (45.7%)
January 2026$1.051423$0.63-$0.42 (40%)
December 2025$0.982942$0.59-$0.39 (40.1%)
November 2025$0.930043$0.56-$0.37 (39.9%)
October 2025$0.887584$0.51-$0.38 (42.6%)
September 2025$0.86119$0.49-$0.37 (42.6%)
August 2025$0.866703$0.52-$0.35 (40%)
July 2025$0.837774$0.44-$0.40 (47.6%)
June 2025$0.802343$0.48-$0.32 (39.9%)
May 2025$0.807171$0.48-$0.32 (40%)
April 2025$0.744003$0.45-$0.30 (39.9%)
March 2025$0.878574$0.53-$0.35 (39.9%)
February 2025$0.893382$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
January 2025$0.812942$0.49-$0.33 (40%)
December 2024$0.805026$0.48-$0.32 (40.1%)
November 2024$0.80919$0.49-$0.32 (39.9%)
October 2024$0.84811$0.51-$0.34 (40.1%)
September 2024$0.84145$0.51-$0.34 (40%)
August 2024$0.838665$0.50-$0.34 (40.1%)
July 2024$0.905877$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
June 2024$0.957757$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
May 2024$0.995197$0.49-$0.50 (50.7%)
April 2024$0.9588$0.58-$0.38 (40%)
March 2024$0.916803$0.55-$0.37 (39.9%)
February 2024$0.908876$0.55-$0.36 (40%)
January 2024$0.981155$0.59-$0.39 (39.8%)
December 2023$0.992781$0.60-$0.40 (40%)
November 2023$0.936113$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
October 2023$0.911318$0.53-$0.38 (42.2%)

Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) Scrap Price History — Daily Data

A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
2/17/2026$0.50 / lb+$0.15$0.50 - $0.50
10/4/2025$0.35 / lb+$0.10$0.35 - $0.35
7/24/2025$0.25 / lb+$0.05$0.25 - $0.25
5/26/2024$0.20 / lb+$0.05$0.20 - $0.20

Cashing In on Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR)

Whether you are pulling standard insulated aluminum building wire or hauling heavy high-voltage lines, Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) is a consistent moneymaker. Nationwide, our data shows yards are paying between $0.40 and $0.90, depending on the specific recovery rate of the wire you have. ACSR stands for Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced, which is heavily used in overhead power lines. Because it has a solid steel core wrapped in aluminum strands, yards pay a specific rate for it compared to standard insulated aluminum wire. The national average sits around $0.61, but your actual ticket in Phoenix will depend heavily on your sorting.

The Stripping Dilemma: Don't Lose Your Margin

The biggest decision with insulated aluminum is whether to strip it. If you have thick, easily strippable insulated wire and you just throw it on the scale as-is, you might be throwing away cash. Failing to strip it down to Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) can result in a lost opportunity of roughly $0.57 per pound. However, if you are dealing with ACSR, stripping is usually a massive headache because of the steel core. Don't mix this wire with solid scrap like Aluminum 6061 Structural or Aluminum 5052 (Plate)—keep your wire separate to avoid confusing the scale operator.

Yard Pro Tip: If you do decide to strip ACSR to get the clean aluminum price, you MUST remove the inner steel cable before hitting the scale. Run a strong magnet along the bare wire. If the magnet grabs, it still has the steel core. Trying to sell un-separated ACSR as clean bare aluminum will cause the scale master to instantly downgrade the entire load to 'irony aluminum', killing your payout.

Prep Guide for Insulated & ACSR Wire

Maximizing your payout Phoenix means knowing what the yard wants to see. Follow these veteran guidelines:

  • Separate by Type: Keep standard insulated aluminum wire completely separate from ACSR. They have different aluminum recovery rates (the percentage of actual aluminum vs insulation/steel weight), and mixing them guarantees you get the lower of the two prices.
  • Know Your Recovery Rate: Thick insulation means less aluminum per pound of total weight. Don't expect top-tier pricing for wire that is 60% plastic by weight.
  • Don't Burn It: Never burn the insulation off your aluminum wire. It's illegal in most places, horrible for your lungs, and yards will pay you less for scorched metal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average price for Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR)?

Currently, the national average is $0.61 per pound. Prices are tied to the broader LME market, usually tracking roughly 49.6% below the spot price to account for the yard's processing and chopping costs.

What does ACSR mean in scrap metal?

ACSR stands for Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced. It's a type of high-capacity wire used for overhead power lines, featuring an outer layer of aluminum strands for conductivity and an inner steel core for physical strength. It pays less than pure aluminum wire because the steel adds non-aluminum weight.

Is it worth it to strip ACSR wire?

Usually, no. Stripping ACSR is exceptionally tough on standard stripping machines because the steel core destroys the blades. Most veteran scrappers sell ACSR as-is to avoid the hassle and equipment damage.