Recycling scrap metals is gaining more and more popularity throughout Australia as a means to less waste and still make money off items that would otherwise be discarded. Most homes, factories, factories, shops and building have excess scrap materials such as old machinery and worn out equipment that are discarded. Unfortunately, many new entrants to the scrap industry find it very hard to distinguish various types of scrap metals Adelaide. It is essential that you learn how to differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as non ferrous scrap is normally much more valuable in a scrap yard environment.
What Are Non-Ferrous Metals?
Non-ferrous metals are made up of metals with minimal or no iron content. Since the non-ferrous metals do not contain much of the iron, the metals do not rust as fast as the ferrous metals such as the steel and cast iron. The non-ferrous metals are used in many areas such as electrical, plumbing, car parts, roofing and industrial equipment.
The one of the greatest advantage of non-ferrous is that they can be recycled with no loss in quality or strength over and over again. As a result of this, recycling companies and manufacturers will pay a premium for the metals. Nonferrous are more expensive than ferrous due to their rarity.
Copper – The King of Scrap Metals
Copper is one of the most valuable and popular metals for recycling among non-ferrous metals. Because of its good electrical and thermal conductivities, it is one of the most frequently used metals. Electricians, plumbers and construction firms all produce scrap copper as a result of repairs, renovations and demolitions.
Due to the stable copper prices in the recycling market many people are specifically collecting sell your scrap copper from old buildings, electronic and heavy industry.
Aluminium – Lightweight but Valuable
Aluminium is another widely used non-ferrous metal that is recycled internationally. It is lightweight, corrosion resistant and is used to make many household and industrial products.
Energy saving is another main reason that makes aluminium recycling so important. Recycling aluminum consumes much less energy than making aluminum from the raw bauxite ore. That’s why recycling companies really promote the aluminum recycling.
Brass – A Valuable Copper Alloy
- Brass: Copper-Zinc alloy, one of the most marketable scrap metals as it is a very common composition. Brass resembles gold in its natural gold colour; it is a very durable and corrosion resistant material. It is a common composition and used for decorative and plumbing applications.
- Lead – Heavy and Commonly Recycled – Lead is a lead is a dense heavy non-ferrous metal with various industrial applications mostly batteries. It has been used extensively in the past decades due to its corrosion and durability properties.
- Stainless Steel – Most believe that stainless steel is a ferrous metal because it includes iron, however many of the stainless steels on the market contain non-ferrous elements. The best quality stainless steels are also rich in non-ferrous elements such as chrome and nickel.
Simple Ways to Identify Non-Ferrous Metals
When you are starting out, scrap metals may be difficult to identify. There are a few foolproof tricks of the trade:
- Use a Magnet – Most non ferrous metals are not magnetic. If the magnet does not attach itself to the metal, then it could be non ferrous.
- Check for Rust – Non-ferrous metals usually don’t rust like iron or steel. This makes them easier to identify outdoors.
- Weight – Lead is still very heavy even in smaller pieces compared to aluminium.
Knowing these easy way to identify can greatly improve your ability to sort scrap and raise its recycling value.
Read More – Top 4 Tips That Will Help Your In Successful Scrap Collection
Why Recycling Non-Ferrous Metals Is Important
There are many benefits for the environment and the economy if we recycle non ferrous metals. Extracting and refining new raw metals consumes large quantities of energy and natural resources. Recycling plays an important part in minimizing this consumption and decreasing pollution.
Benefits of recycling include:
- reducing landfill waste
- conserving natural resources
- saving manufacturing energy
- lowering greenhouse gas emissions
- supporting sustainable industries
Non ferrous metals are durable, and because they can be re-used time and again without degradation in quality, continue to be important to environmentally conscious manufacturing.
Final Thoughts
Knowing non-ferrous metals is one of the most crucial aspects to any successful scrap metal recycling. Metals such as copper, aluminium, brass, lead, zinc, stainless steel all have great value when recycled and are used greatly in the manufacturing industries.
So if you’re emptying your garage, doing a building refurbishment or disposing of industrial waste, knowing what non ferrous metals to look out for can make a difference to your bottom line. Recycling correctly not only benefits your pockets but also the environment.