Non-Ferrous Metals
It is in the non-ferrous sector that recycling can be seen as of especially dramatic international importance. This extensive range of valuable metals includes copper, aluminum, lead, tin and zinc, but embraces also some of the most precious substances known to humanity.
Gold and platinum are among those metals recovered by specialist processors from, for example, redundant electronic equipment including computers. Silver, which is consumed in large quantities by the photographic industry in making light-sensitive materials, is reclaimed from used film - such as that used by hospital X-ray departments.
With, for example, nearly 40 per cent of the world's requirements of copper met by recycling, it is clear how important this activity is in reducing dependence on finite reserves of metals in the earth's crust.Non-ferrous metals recycling involves dramatic savings in energy - another vital contribution to the conservation of the dwindling resources of the world.
These metals are recycled in their familiar forms, as new by-products generated by manufacturing industry, or as components in a multiplicity of discarded consumer durables from motor vehicles to kitchen utensils. But they are to be found also in smelter by-products, in the residues of industrial treatment processes, and in a variety of complex metal combinations.
A non-ferrous metal may be used in isolation - as in copper piping, for example - or as a constituent of an alloy such as brass. The processor must treat each of these as quite separate materials and thus great skill and technical resources including spectrometers are necessary to identify these metals accurately. Once collected, sorted and graded to suit the needs of the consumer, non-ferrous metals must be prepared for the furnace using a selection of mechanical, metallurgical or chemical processes.
The broker plays a key role in the marketing element of recycling and will often be involved in trading metals between one part of the world and another.
Aluminum : To receive the highest value possible, all steel or foreign components must be removed from the aluminum. Remove screws, brackets, rivets and any other material that will attract a magnet. The highest priced aluminums are those that are non-painted or tarnished. Various aluminum alloys have different values. For instance aluminum car wheels and window frames warrant a higher price then cast aluminum. Your REMAT MH representative will be happy to explain the difference to you.
Die Cast Metal : Die Cast has an appearance close to aluminum. It can be found in products such as: carburetors, car grilles, and door handles.
Coppers
: There are four basic grades of Copper:
1.Bright and Shiny: Shall consist of stripped, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire not smaller than 16 gauge per strand.
2.Shall consist of clean, burnt, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire and cable not smaller than 16 gauge per strand.3.Shall consist of clean unalloyed uncoated tubing or solids (clippings, punching, bus bars, etc.).
4.Shall consist of miscellaneous, unalloyed copper scrap (wire, tubing, or solids) having a nominal 96% copper content (minimum 94%).Coppers should also be free from the following: Excessively leaded, tinned, or soldered copper scrap, brasses or bronzes, excessive oil content, iron and non-metallic, copper tubing with other than copper connectors or with sediment, copper wire from burning, containing insulation, hair wire, and should be reasonably free of ash.
Insulated Coppers : Insulated coppers carry a large range of prices. The price structure is predicated on the percentage of recovery; that is the amount of copper relative to the amount of insulation. Good #1 insulated copper can bring more that twice the value of the #2 insulated copper to your pocketbook. At times it will be worth your while to strip the insulation from your wire. Again your REMAT MH representative can help you with your decision to strip the wire by indicating price differences as well as strip procedures.Yellow Brass : Many materials are made from yellow brass such as: faucets, tubing, bolts, etc. To get the most value from your yellow brass all conflicting metals must be removed. If you are not sure is you have yellow brass, file the outside slightly. If you see a pale yellow tinge, then you can be almost certain that you have yellow brass.
Red Brass : Red brass carries a higher value than yellow brass. You will find red brass used in applications such as: valves, bushings, pump parts, and etc. To determine if you have red brass, once again, use the file test. You will notice a burnt orange hue to the material. As always a REMAT MH representative will be happy to assist you in understanding the differences in your brasses.
Aluminum/Copper Radiators : The ACR has a higher value than the standard radiator. This is due to the copper content in the radiator. Once again you will get the most value from the material by removing all magnetic components.
Heater Cores : Heater cores have the appearance of a small radiator. However they carry a relatively reduced value in comparison. This is because heater cores have a higher lead content then standard radiators. The material assumes a value that is below that of a radiator.Stainless Steel ; High quality stainless steel is completely non-magnetic. Once again to maximize your money, remove all other metals. Many of the stainless steel pieces you will find also have other metals attached. Most times, but not always, it will be worth your time to clean your stainless. If your stainless pieces have a slight magnetic draw, REMAT MH would advise you not to take the time and effort to clean them. The stainless steel with a draw could be considered a 400 Series stainless steel and only has a value comparative to steel.
Other Non-Ferrous Grades: Any metal product with a non-magnetic component is a non-ferrous recyclable. If you have anything at home that is made from metal but appears to be too hard to clean, be sure and bring it in. It has a value to you. These materials will not do the environment any favors by lying idle in a landfill.
