Aerospace Connectors & Backshells
Look at where the yellow actually is — on a mil connector the gold lives only on the tiny contact barrels, and a dull grey, olive-drab or yellow-iridescent shell is cadmium over aluminium: 80% of the weight is worth nothing, is illegal to torch, and must be de-populated before anyone will buy it.
How to spot it
Circular bayonet or threaded shells (MIL-DTL-38999 I/II/III, 5015, 26482, 83723) or rectangular racks (ARINC 404/600, MIL-DTL-24308 D-subs) with removable crimp contacts in sizes 22D/20/16/12/8/4. Backshells are cylindrical adapters with strain-relief clamps or 45°/90° elbows. Part numbers read like D38999/26WD35SN; finish codes matter — W = olive-drab cadmium, F = electroless nickel, Z/M = zinc-nickel or black anodize. From Amphenol, Souriau, ITT Cannon, Glenair, Deutsch and Positronic.
Metal content
| Metal | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.3–0.8 g/lb complete; ~3.6 g/lb de-populated contacts | ASTM B488 / SAE-AS39029: 50 µin Au min over 50 µin Ni. 100 µin space-grade doubles it to ~7 g/lb |
| Copper | ~80 g/lb | Brass, BeCu and phosphor bronze contact base, 0.85–0.95 lb per lb of contacts |
| Base metal | Backshells: ~0 g Au/lb | Cadmium, nickel or zinc-nickel plated Al/SS — the yellow is chromate, not gold |
At 4 Aug 2026 spot prices that works out to $66.1 per pound of contained metal — Gold 0.5 g = $65.3, Copper 80 g = $0.86. A refiner paying $55 returns about 83% of that, which is normal: refining costs money and the buyer takes a margin.
Safe removal
Working temperature: No heat on shells; contact stripping is chemical
Use the correct colour-coded plastic M81969 removal tool: insert from the mating face, push to release the retention clip, withdraw from the rear. For bulk, shear the connector apart and dissolve or burn the silicone/fluorosilicone insert. Strip contacts in a sulphuric cell or dilute aqua regia after cutting off the wire barrels. Never torch cadmium-plated shells.
Hazards
NEVER grind, burn, torch or braze cadmium-plated or AgCdO material, and don't inhale the black contact dust.
NEVER put BeCu in a grinder, a sandblaster, or a melt.
NEVER grind, sand, saw or incinerate anything that might contain thorium or radium. Sealed sources stay sealed.
NEVER dry sweep or use compressed air on a scrapping bench. HEPA-vac or wet-wipe only.
NEVER pour any of these down a drain or onto the ground. They are all regulated waste streams.
Before you scrap it
The common trap
Questions
How much gold is in aerospace connectors & backshells?
Gold: 0.3–0.8 g/lb complete; ~3.6 g/lb de-populated contacts. Copper: ~80 g/lb. At current spot that is about $66.1 of contained metal per pound.
How do you identify aerospace connectors & backshells?
Look at where the yellow actually is — on a mil connector the gold lives only on the tiny contact barrels , and a dull grey, olive-drab or yellow-iridescent shell is cadmium over aluminium: 80% of the weight is worth nothing, is illegal to torch, and must be de-populated before anyone will buy it.
How do you remove aerospace connectors & backshells safely?
Use the correct colour-coded plastic M81969 removal tool: insert from the mating face, push to release the retention clip, withdraw from the rear. For bulk, shear the connector apart and dissolve or burn the silicone/fluorosilicone insert. Strip contacts in a sulphuric cell or dilute aqua regia after cutting off the wire barrels. Never torch cadmium-plated shells.
Is aerospace connectors & backshells worth more working than as scrap?
Very large — 5–50×. A D38999 that scraps for $2 sells for $25–200 used and $60–500 new, to aviation MRO, restoration, motorsport and marine buyers. Any connector with a legible part number, undamaged threads and intact insert should be sold as a part. Backshells: sell intact always, they have zero scrap value and $10–120 resale.
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