Metal content by weight

Metal Content by Weight in Electronic Components

This appendix provides standardized metal content information in grams per kilogram (g/kg) for various electronic components, facilitating direct comparison between different types of e-waste.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

High-Grade PCBs (Computers, Smartphones)

Metal	Content (g/kg)	Typical Sources
Gold	0.2-1.0	Processors, connectors
Silver	1.0-2.0	Solder, components
Palladium	0.05-0.25	Capacitors
Copper	200-300	Traces, layers
Tin	20-40	Solder
Lead	15-30	Older solder
Nickel	10-20	Components

Medium-Grade PCBs (TVs, DVD Players)

Metal	Content (g/kg)	Typical Sources
Gold	0.1-0.4	Connectors
Silver	0.5-1.0	Components
Copper	150-250	Traces
Tin	15-30	Solder
Lead	10-25	Older solder
Nickel	8-15	Components

Low-Grade PCBs (Household Appliances)

Metal	Content (g/kg)	Typical Sources
Gold	0.01-0.1	Minimal connections
Silver	0.1-0.5	Basic components
Copper	100-200	Basic wiring
Tin	10-20	Basic solder
Lead	5-15	Older solder

Components by Category

Memory Devices

Metal	RAM (g/kg)	SSD (g/kg)	HDD (g/kg)
Gold	0.3-0.5	0.2-0.4	0.1-0.2
Silver	1.0-2.0	0.5-1.0	0.3-0.6
Copper	200-300	150-250	100-200
Neodymium	-	-	20-40
Platinum	-	-	0.01-0.02
Aluminum	50-100	30-50	400-600

Processors and Chips

Metal	CPUs (g/kg)	GPUs (g/kg)	Basic ICs (g/kg)
Gold	0.5-2.0	0.3-1.0	0.1-0.3
Silver	2.0-4.0	1.0-2.0	0.5-1.0
Copper	300-400	250-350	150-250
Palladium	0.1-0.3	0.05-0.15	0.02-0.08
Silicon	150-250	100-200	50-150

Mobile Devices

Metal	Smartphones (g/kg)	Tablets (g/kg)	Laptops (g/kg)
Gold	0.3-0.4	0.2-0.3	0.15-0.25
Silver	3.0-4.0	2.0-3.0	1.5-2.5
Copper	80-90	70-80	60-70
Cobalt	50-100	40-80	30-60
Lithium	20-30	15-25	10-20
Neodymium	1-2	0.8-1.5	0.5-1.0

Display Components

Metal	LCD Panels (g/kg)	LED Displays (g/kg)	Touch Screens (g/kg)
Indium	0.2-0.4	0.1-0.3	0.3-0.5
Gold	0.1-0.3	0.05-0.2	0.15-0.35
Silver	0.3-0.6	0.2-0.4	0.4-0.7
Copper	30-50	20-40	25-45
Tin	10-20	8-15	12-25

Power Components

Metal	PSUs (g/kg)	Transformers (g/kg)	Battery Packs (g/kg)
Copper	400-600	500-700	50-150
Aluminum	200-300	100-200	30-80
Iron	300-400	400-600	100-200
Gold	0.05-0.1	0.01-0.05	0.01-0.03
Cobalt	-	-	150-300
Lithium	-	-	20-40

Recovery Value Index

To help prioritize recycling efforts, here’s a relative value index (based on metal content and current market prices):

1. High Value (>$100/kg)

   • High-grade CPUs
   • Smartphone main boards
   • Gold-plated connectors

2. Medium Value ($20-100/kg)

   • Regular PCBs
   • RAM modules
   • SSD controllers

3. Low Value ($5-20/kg)

   • Power supply units
   • Basic circuit boards
   • Cable assemblies

Factors Affecting Metal Content

1. Age of Device

   • Newer devices often have less precious metal content
   • More efficient use of materials in modern manufacturing
   • Different metal combinations in newer technologies

2. Quality Grade

   • Premium devices typically have higher metal content
   • Industrial grade components contain more precious metals
   • Consumer grade usually has lower concentrations

3. Manufacturing Region

   • Different regional standards affect metal content
   • Various manufacturing techniques use different amounts
   • Local regulations influence material choices

Notes on Measurements

• All values are approximate and represent typical ranges
• Actual content may vary by manufacturer and model
• Values are based on pure metal content
• Recovery rates will be lower than total content
• Measurements taken from cleaned and separated components

Data Sources

This information is compiled from:

• Industrial recycling facilities
• Scientific research papers
• Manufacturer specifications
• Environmental agencies
• Market analysis reports

Note: All concentrations are approximate and may vary based on specific manufacturers, models, and production years. Values are intended for general reference in recycling planning.