For those who are new to scrap metal recycling, this can be a bit complicated. There are numerous scrap metal categories, grades, and varieties to choose from. While it may seem insignificant, knowing what type of metal you’re working with is crucial.
Understanding scrap metal categorization will help you succeed whether you’re constructing a structure out of recovered scrap iron or just attempting to recycle some waste metal for some additional cash. Scrap metal is a lucrative resource and a desirable commodity, despite its reputation as waste. Before you begin recycling, you must first comprehend the many classifications.
Ferrous and non-ferrous metal scrap categories
Every metal can be divided into 2 categories: ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Metals containing iron
The most frequent sort of recycled metal is ferrous metal. In fact, the United States produces sufficient ferrous metal per day to build 25 Eiffel Towers all year round. That’s a whole lot of metal!
The fact that all ferrous metals are magnetic is the easiest way to distinguish it from non-ferrous metals. It is because ferrous metal is, or includes, steel or iron.
Ovens, refrigerators, vehicles, cast iron skillets, and other things made of ferrous metal are common. Ferrous materials have a high amount of carbon, making them more prone to rust and corrosion, rendering them obsolete.
Non-Ferrous
Non-ferrous metals are not magnetic and are much more rust and corrosion resistant than metallic materials because they lack iron. These metals are extensively used in guttering, roofs, pipes, and electricity uses in building and construction.
Gold, brass, tin, nickel, lead, and zinc are examples of non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals are characterized by their malleability and light weight. These characteristics make them particularly well-suited to airplane building.
Varieties of Metal Scrap
When you do get down to the nitty-gritty categories, there are hundreds or even thousands of different sorts of metal. Knowing what types of scrap steel, you’re working with makes it easier to figure out whatever you can and can’t do about it, where it’s most usually found, and how much it’s worth.
Click here to check out some industrial scrap metal recyclers of choice metal.
Aluminium
Among the most often reused scrap materials is aluminium. To mention a few examples, aluminium can be found in coke cans, meal wrap foils, screen door frames, and storm panes.
Brass
Brass is a commonly seen metal in and around the home. It can be found in doorknobs, brass-plated dinnerware, and ancient bed frames, among other locations.
Carbide
Carbide can be found in tool bits and drill bits if you’ve a lot of tools. So, whether you’re getting a new toolkit for Father’s Day or simply replacing broken components, keep in mind that you can reuse them rather than throwing them away.
Copper
Copper is indeed the third most popular building & industrial metal. Copper is extremely expensive and in high demand. Household piping, living room decor, machines, washbasins, pots, and electrical wiring all contain this metal.
Iron
Regular household objects like cast iron pans and pots, leaf blowers, garden swings, and iron fences are all suitable scrap metal options. Iron is also used to make a lot of patio furniture.
