How is scrap metal sold

Copper is a common material in your home. You may find it as plumbing pipes, roofing materials like gutters, and inside air conditioners.

Electrical wires also contain copper; underneath that black or colored plastic insulation is bright colored copper wire. Copper is one of the most valuable metals to recycle. Aluminum is often painted, but unpainted, it is a whitish, silver color. It bends easily if it is thin. Aluminum cans are often collected and brought to the scrap yards in bulk. But cans are not the only use for this metal. You can find it in many places throughout your house, including gutters, siding, window frames, doors, and more.

Although not worth a lot of money at the scrap yard, aluminum can be recycled and used again within a few months. You can often find brass in hardware like keys, door handles, light fixtures, and bathroom fixtures. Composed of copper and zinc, brass is used often in plumbing fixtures and also at the end of copper piping.

A mid-level priced item at a scrap yard, brass can add up quickly in weight because of how dense it is. Steel is one of the most common metals used throughout the world. You can find it in many places, from your car to chairs, shelves, cabinets, and more. Then next step is sorting, which involves separating metals from the mixed scrap metal stream or the waste stream that involves multiple materials.

Magnets and sensors are used in the automated recycling operation so these materials can be separated. Next is processing, where metals are shredded. These shredded metals have a large surface-to-volume ratio and can be melted using less energy than it would require to rely on mining for ore to get new metals.

Scrap metal processing plants crush the metal in compactors so it can more easily get handled on conveyor belts, and then the scrap is shred into pieces. Next is melting.

Scrap metal gets melted in a large furnace, and each metal is taken to a specific furnace designed for that particular metal. Depending on the size of the furnace, melting can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours. The furnaces have fuel-efficient regenerative burners designed to reduce the amount of energy being used so there is a minimal impact on the environment. That leads to the next step: purification, which is done to ensure the final product offers high quality and is free of contaminants.

Electrolysis is among the most common methods used for purification. It involves using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis is important as a stage in the separation of elements from naturally occurring sources.

After your material is unloaded, return to the outbound scale to get a light weight. Come to the cashier office and sign for your material and receive your payment. Metal Recycling Payment Process According to Oregon state law, ferrous material steel and most magnetic material can be paid immediately with cash or check. Understanding your metal and its value will allow you to get the most out of your pieces. Avoid these mistakes when selling materials to a scrap metal recycler in Chase, MI.

Contact Fair Salvage Company for more information. Phone: Our Services. We Pickup Cars. Chase Division. Clare Division. Montcalm Division. Material Information.