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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Physical & Chemical properties

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

Additional information

The UVCB substance is an inorganic, complex metal containing material.

Intermediate B5 - Back Copper, Copper Smelting

 

“Metallic substance produced by melting and/or processing of metallic (scrap) and/or oxidic copper bearing materials (slag, oxides, ashes). Black copper is composed primarily of copper, contains other residual ferrous and non-ferrous metals and may contain metal oxides and metal sulphides. Black copper will gradually be transformed into “blister copper” or “anode copper” with higher copper content, during further metallurgical processes.”

 

 EC name

(or recognized name)

Substance covered

 

EC number / EINECS No.

CASNo.

Black copper, copper smelting**

Black copper

Not available

Not available

 

At room temperature, the substance is a solid.

The majority of the available data on physical and chemical properties of the UVCB is taken from the report Liippo, et al, 2010 –a comprehensive study performed on the UVCB to characterize it (physico-chemical and mineralogical properties) in view of the upcoming REACH registrations of copper intermediates by the REACH Copper Consortium.

 

 In particular, a comprehensive chemical and mineralogical characterization of representative samples was performed (and reported under IUCLID 4.23). The study from Liippo et al (Outotec Lab) furthermore includes thermo gravimetric /differential scanning calorimetric (TG/DSC) measurements (under Air flux and Nitrogen atmosphere) that allowed determining melting, oxidation and related thermal stability properties of the UVCB.

The Outotec study included: Chemical assays (Inductively coupled argon plasma optic emission spectrometer, sulfur and carbon analyzes, Measurement of amount of magnetic material), Granulometry, density and specific surface measurements, determination of melting and oxidation temperatures (Thermogravimetry / differential scanning calorimetry), Water solubility tests, Mineralogical characterization (X-ray Diffraction, Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy) and Mineral Quantification. Based on the tests results, the study furthermore includes expert judgements addressing flammable, self-ignition, explosive and oxidising properties of the materials.

 

The selection and collection of the representative samples was made based on expert knowledge and according to standardized sampling protocols developed by the REACH Copper Consortium, an industry joint-venture regrouping major manufacturing and importing companies of the UVCB substance. Details on the sampling approach and the representative samples are reported as supporting information in IUCLID 1.4 and 4.1.

 

A range of values are provided to cover the variability among representative samples, if appropriate. The relevant physico-chemical properties of the materials (as well as IUCLID sections) are summarised below:

Black Copper B5 low Ni content (representative, not sieved granules) 09TT02791  
Black Copper B5 low Ni content (homogenized, drilled, sieved) 09TT02772 09TT02771
Black Copper B5 High Ni content (representative, not sieved granules) 09TT02792  
Black Copper B5 high Ni content (homogenized, drilled, sieved) 09TT02774 09TT02773

Table 1: Summary of the results (by ECI)

ECI Comments / Remarks IUCLID Section Black copper Black copper Black copper Black copper Black copper Black copper
Lab code   09TT02791 09TT02772 09TT02771 09TT02792 09TT02774 09TT02773
State / Colour 4.1 Solid, grey Solid, grey Solid, grey Solid, grey Solid, grey Solid, grey
Relative Density g/m3 4.4 8.67 8.67 8.67 7.94 7.94 7.94
Specific surface area 4.5 0.02 n.d n.d 0.03 n.d n.d
Granulometry, D50, µm 4.5 >3360 n.d n.d 3112 n.d n.d
Water solubility 4.8 n.d poor (*) n.d n.d poor (*) n.d
Melting temperature,°C 4.2 n.d. n.d. 643 n.d. n.d. 652
Oxidation Temperature,°C 4.15 n.d. n.d. ~ 600 n.d. n.d. 732
Assays / Chemistry 4.23 See table See table n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Mineralogy 4.23 See table See table n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Flammability 4.13 Not flammable Not flammable Not flammable Not flammable Not flammable Not flammable
Self-ignition  4.12 Not self-igniting Not self-igniting Not self igniting Not self igniting Not self igniting Not self igniting
Explosive properties 4.14 Not explosive Not explosive Not explosive Not explosive Not explosive Not explosive
Oxidizing properties 4.15 negative   negative   negative   negative   negative   negative
Relative Density, OECD 109; specific surface area, BET method; water solubility, OECD 105; melting and oxidation temperature TG/DSC analysis

(*) poor in preliminary test, with exception at high loading and shaking over long period