331420 - Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying

The world of manufacturing owes much to the foundational processes that transform raw materials into essential products for industries worldwide. One such critical area is covered under NAICS code 331420, which pertains to Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying. This industry plays a vital role in delivering high-quality copper and copper-alloy shapes that become indispensable components in everything from automotive wiring to aerospace engineering.

What is NAICS Code 331420?

NAICS code 331420 identifies establishments primarily engaged in rolling, drawing, extruding, and alloying copper and copper-alloy shapes. These processes convert copper into usable forms such as rods, bars, sheets, tubes, and wires. This transformation is essential for manufacturing and industrial applications that require precision metal components with desirable physical and chemical properties.

Sector: Manufacturing

NAICS 331420 falls under the Manufacturing sector, specifically within the metal manufacturing subcategory. Companies under this code specialize in manipulating copper metal to produce finished or semi-finished shapes used extensively across various industries like electrical, automotive, construction, and aerospace.

Typical Business Activities under NAICS 331420 include:

• Rolling copper sheets, bars, and strips
• Drawing copper wire and rods
• Extruding copper and copper alloy tubing and pipes
• Alloying copper with other metals (such as brass or bronze)
• Secondary smelting and refining of purchased copper or scrap
• Producing copper cables, armored cables, and insulated wires
• Creating specialized copper foil, powder, flake, and paste

Size Standards for NAICS 331420

To qualify under this NAICS code for government contracting or statistical purposes, the size standard is typically set at:

• 1,050 employees

This means businesses with 1,050 or fewer employees can be classified as small businesses in this industry category.

Examples of Businesses Covered by NAICS Code 331420

• Copper wire manufacturers specializing in insulated and bare copper wire products
• Copper tube and pipe producers who produce extruded and drawn copper piping for plumbing or HVAC systems
• Copper alloy product fabricators working with brass, bronze, and other copper-based alloys for industrial components

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Detailed Code Activities and Products

Product/Activity Description
Aircraft and automotive wire or cable made from purchased copper in wire drawing plants
Alloying purchased copper, copper metals, and copper alloys
Apparatus wire or cord made in wire drawing plants from purchased copper
Armored cable made from purchased copper in wire drawing plants or integrated secondary smelting and drawing plants
Bar, copper and copper alloy, made from purchased copper or in integrated secondary smelting and rolling, drawing or extruding plants
Brass and bronze products rolled, drawn, or extruded from purchased copper or in integrated secondary smelting and rolling plants
Cable (armored, bare, insulated), made from purchased copper in wire drawing plants or integrated secondary smelting and wire drawing plants
Cartridge cups, discs, sheets made from copper and copper alloy
Coaxial cable and communications wire made from purchased copper in wire drawing plants
Copper alloy products made from purchased metal or scrap, including brass and bronze
Copper foil, powder, flakes, and paste made from purchased metal or scrap
Copper products made by rolling, drawing, extruding or in integrated secondary smelting and extruding or drawing mills
Copper secondary smelting, alloying, and refining from purchased metal or scrap
Cord sets, flexible, energy wire or cable, insulated wire or cable, magnet wire, signal and control cable, shipboard cable, wire cloth, and weatherproof wire made from purchased copper
Metal powder, flake, and paste products made from purchased copper
Pipe, plate, rod, sheet, strip, and tubing of copper and copper alloy made from purchased copper or integrated production plants
Wire, mechanical, insulated, armored, bare, or copper alloy wire made from purchased copper or in integrated secondary smelting and rolling, drawing or extruding plants

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of products are made by companies under NAICS 331420?

Companies produce copper rods, bars, sheets, tubes, pipes, wires, cables, foils, powders, and various copper-alloy products like brass and bronze components.

Which industries use products from this sector?

Automotive, aerospace, electrical, telecommunications, construction, and manufacturing industries heavily utilize copper-rolled and drawn products.

What is the main difference between rolling, drawing, and extruding in copper manufacturing?

• Rolling: Flattening metal into sheets and strips.
• Drawing: Pulling metal through dies to create wire or rods.
• Extruding: Forcing metal through shaped openings to create tubes, pipes, or complex cross-sectional shapes.

What does secondary smelting and refining mean in this context?

It refers to melting and purifying purchased copper or scrap to produce high-quality copper metal ready for alloying or shaping.

Are small businesses eligible under NAICS 331420?

Yes, companies with 1,050 or fewer employees usually qualify as small businesses for government contracting purposes.

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Conclusion

NAICS code 331420 encompasses a fundamental segment of the manufacturing industry that enables the production of vital copper and copper-alloy products through rolling, drawing, extruding, and alloying processes. Whether it’s manufacturing copper wire for communication cables or producing alloyed copper rods for industrial use, businesses in this category hold a significant position in the global supply chain.

If your business is involved in the fabrication of copper and copper-alloy shapes or you’re seeking suppliers in this space, understanding NAICS 331420 will guide you toward the right classification and industry connections.

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Keywords: NAICS 331420, Copper Rolling, Copper Drawing, Copper Extruding, Copper Alloying, Copper Wire Manufacturers, Copper Tube Producers, Copper Alloy Fabricators, Manufacturing, Copper Industry, Small Business Size Standard