What Is Scrap Metal?
Scrap Metal may be considered as leftover or redundant materials from constructions sites, manufacturing companies, plumbing and electrical scrap, vehicle scrap, home appliances and other unwanted metal items. Scrap metal is loosely divided into the following three categories, Ferrous Metal, Non-Ferrous Metal and E-Waste.
The Scrap Metal Categories are further explained in the table below
Commonly known as iron or steel and will stick to a magnet and will corrode easily in a humid environment.
Heavy steel
Light steel
Non-Ferrous Metal
Does not stick to a magnet and is much more resistant to corrosion in a humid environment.
Insulated copper wire
Stainless steel
Aluminium
Batteries
Copper
Brass
Lead
Zinc
E-Waste
Discarded electrical or electronic devices.
Computer memory (RAM)
Cellphone boards
Computer CPUs
Computers
PC Boards
Laptops
Ferrous Metals
Heavy Steel
Ferrous Metal
Heavy Steel is rigid and not easily deformed and has a thickness of 2mm and over.
Eg: Steel tubing and solid steel bars, Structural beams, Security gates, Steel window frames, Industrial piping, vehicle brake shoes and discs etc.
Light Steel
Ferrous Metal
Light Steel is also know as Subgrade.
Generally thin steel or sheet metal.
Eg. Household appliances such as stoves, fridges and washing machines, Roof sheeting and gutters, Garage doors, Geysers, Outer shell of motor vehicles etc.
Non-ferrous Metals
Insulated Copper Wire
Non-Ferrous Metal
Insulated Copper Wire has a rubber or plastic insulation around the wire to prevent current passing between wires.
Eg. House hold extension cords and electrical wires, Computer network cabling etc.
Aluminium
Non-Ferrous Metal
Aluminium is a silvery-white lightweight metal which is soft and malleable. It’s uses extend from kitchen tin foil and window frames to vehicle engines and aeroplane parts.
Batteries
Non-Ferrous Metal
Lead-acid batteries are recycled for their lead content.
Eg. Gate motor batteries, Car, truck and forklift batteries.
Copper
Non-Ferrous Metal
Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity and has a pinkish-orange colour when new.
Eg. Plumbing and refrigeration copper pipes. Copper wire from cables and motors.
Brass
Non-Ferrous Metal
Brass has a bright gold-like appearance and used in application requiring high corrosion resistance.
Eg. Taps, Ornaments, plumbing connectors etc.
Electronic Waste
E-Waste
Electronic waste forms part of many different electronic and electrical devices that have reached their end of life or no longer useful eg. Computers and their components, laptops, cell phone boards, power supplies etc.