What is scrap metal: types, what kind of scrap and why take it

Scrap metal can be called all metal that can be recycled or utilized. It is classified according to many characteristics: the type of metal, shape, size, weight, composition, etc. Let's look at what types of scrap metal there are, and where it is used.

Classification of scrap metal

According to the type of metal scrap is divided into:

• Black scrap metal is iron, cast iron, stainless steel.
• Non-ferrous scrap metal is copper, aluminum, lead, titanium, etc.
• Precious metal scrap is gold, silver, and platinum from non-working catalytic converters, batteries, and jewelry.

Precious metals are remelted to make parts or jewelry. Non-ferrous metals are used to make wires and parts, while ferrous metals are used to make machine tools, cars, household appliances and more.

Scrap metals are divided into two categories according to their purpose:

• Scrap metal for recycling is ferrous metals that are taken from structures of destroyed buildings, products, units, production waste, scrap.
• Scrap metal suitable for the manufacture of products and parts without pre-processing. These are large metal parts, pieces, bars, etc.

Types of scrap metal by origin:

• Scrap metal from vehicles are parts of fittings, railroads, car bodies and parts, ships, etc.
• Scrap metal - extremely large metal products, like melting furnaces.
• Appliance scrap - parts of sewing machines, washing machines, refrigerators, and other household appliances.
• Light scrap metal - scrap metal, small parts, and wires with low bulk density.

Classes of scrap metal by form:

• Scrap metal - formed when processing metal on machines.
• Lump scrap - fragments of metal pipes, sheets and parts from units, etc.
• Powder - small particles from metal fabrication and grinding parts.
• Miscellaneous - wires, metal chips, plates, etc.

Metals are separated by type. Wire is separated from lumps. There should be no rust, rubber, plastic, etc. in the metal from parts of appliances and units. Do not mix alloyed and carbon metals, cast iron and steel.

Where to get scrap metal

Characteristics of metals and where they are extracted from:

• Copper - extracted from copper ore, the color is golden to brown. It is a soft metal. It is found in wires, transformers, electric motors, roofing materials, and household appliances.
• Bronze is an alloy based on tin and copper. It is used to make conductors, fittings, plumbing parts, gears, bushings and other pieces of equipment.
• Brass is a gold-colored metal that resembles gold and is heavy. It contains zinc, copper and other substances. Brass is used to make parts of plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, keys for front door locks, elements of plugs and outlets.
• Aluminum is a lightweight metal created from silver-colored ore. Aluminum is used to make canning jars, drainage elements, pots, cans, wires, etc.
• Cast iron is an alloy of iron with carbon and other substances, the color ranging from dark gray to almost white. It is used to make machine tools, elements of household appliances, central heating batteries, bathtubs, etc.
• Stainless steel - plumbing fixtures, appliance housings, tools, knives, etc. are made of it.
• Lead is found in batteries, in the winding of cable and wire products.

It is cheaper to recycle scrap metal than to mine ore and make metal from raw materials. Broken units and parts become material for new products and are useful.