How3 Types of Recycled Scrap Metal Are Used

A common way people across the country make extra money is to recycle scrap metal. Scrap metal is widely available in used wiring, appliances, or tools. Once someone gathers some scrap metal, all they need to do is take it to a scrap metal recycling company to earn some quick cash.

Although the most obvious benefit of scrap metal recycling is the payment from the recycling company, many scrap metal gatherers are more concerned with helping the planet. Since scrap metal can be melted at lower temperatures than ore metal and scrap metal has already been removed from the Earth, recycling metal can reduce the metal industry's environmental impacts considerably.

Recycled metal can be used in all kinds of products. This blog post covers just some of the many uses for three of the most frequently recycled metals.

Steel is one of the most widely used types of metals. You likely have steel objects all over your house, including stainless steel kitchen utensils, steel-encased home appliances, and polished steel electrical fixtures. Steel products can be painted, anodized, or polished, but one way to identify them is with a magnet. Since steel is a ferrous metal, it will attract magnets.

Recycled steel is both widely available and widely used. Manufacturers use it to create automotive parts and vehicle frames, construction materials like I-beams, and sturdy furniture pieces, to name just a few examples. Many train tracks are made from recycled steel, as well.

Steel recyclers use two processes to make the most from the scrap they work with. The EAF (electric arc furnace) process can turn 100 percent steel scrap into perfectly functional steel products. The BOF (basic oxygen furnace) process can combine fresh steel ore with 30 percent steel scrap into strong steel products.

Commonly in used wire, old plumbing pipes, and antique home fixtures, copper is a highly valuable type of scrap metal. Its orange or green color makes distinguishing it from other types of metal easy. It is also non-ferrous, so it doesn't respond to magnets.

One of the reasons that copper is so valuable is that it is an essential component for many electronic devices. Scrap metal recyclers and electronics manufacturers use it to create wires, heat distributors or sinks, and motherboards. Scrap copper pipes and home decor pieces are often sold to artists as-is for use in sculptures.

To recycle scrap copper, recyclers first remove any potential contaminants, like plastic wire insulation. Then, they simply melt the copper in a furnace and cast it into usable shapes. Unlike steel, copper is almost never used as a structural component for large structures, so its strength or exact composition is not a significant concern.

Aluminum is a valuable metal that many people interact with every day. Aluminum foil, food cans, and some electronic devices are all great sources for scrap aluminum. Many home construction materials are also aluminum, including gutters, siding, and window frames. It is exceptionally lightweight, doesn't respond to magnets, and can be painted or anodized.

Aluminum is a highly recyclable metal, and since recycling aluminum is 80 percent more efficient than using new aluminum, many people recycle it just to protect the environment. Most recycled aluminum is simply shredded, melted in a furnace, and cast into usable shapes.

Recycled aluminum often is useful in food packaging, airline parts, and computer parts, all of which make good use of its light weight or its ability to absorb heat quickly.

The uses for scrap metal are virtually endless. With clear benefits to the planet and your wallet, recycling metal has never been an easier choice. If you have metal you want to exchange for cash, our team at the Bruce Metal & Salvage recycling center will pay you a fair price. Stop by or contact us today to get started.