How to Identify the Most Common Scrap Metals
Scrap metal recycling is becoming very lucrative because metal prices are increasing rapidly. If you would like to cash in on this boom, take steps to become knowledgeable in how to identify the scrap metals that will make you a lot of money at the recycling center. This article discusses how to identify the most common metals that scrap metal recyclers look for.
Copper
This metal occurs in a reddish bright color. If it is a bit worn, it will look dark brown with segments that are green (if it is rusty). Copper is one of the most sought after metals in the scrap metal recycling industry. It pays top dollar to have a collection of this metal. At home, copper can be found in the pipes used for plumbing, in the gutters on your roof and in electrical appliances like air conditioning units. Most electrical wires are also made from copper.
Aluminum
This material is whitish and silvery in color. It can easily bend if you twist a thin sheet made from this material. At home, aluminum can be found in the siding, window frames, gutters and doors. Aluminum cans are also very common, thanks to bottled fizzy drinks like soda. While this scrap metal will not fetch you as much money as copper will, it is also a good metal to collect and deliver to the scrap yard.
Brass
This metal is quite heavy and it has a distinctive yellowish color that has a glint of red in it. Brass is a combination of copper and zinc and that is what makes it heavy. At home, brass can be found in items like the handles of doors, bathroom fixtures like faucets. Keys are also made from brass. You can find brass at the joints of copper pipes. This metal can fetch you good money because its weight quickly adds up to a decent amount if you are a diligent collector.
Steel
This metal looks dull grey in color and it rusts easily. It is very common metal and you can find it in cabinets, parts of your car, doors and windows, shelves and chairs. The unit price of steel scrap may not be very high but you will get decent amounts of money when you take a big volume to the scrap yard.
Use the information above to sort the scrap metal you collect before taking it to the scrap metal recycling center, such as Industrial Metal Services Pty Ltd.
