Scrap metal remains one of the most valuable products that consumers and businesses can recycle today. Many manufacturers are in high demand for quality scrap metal. This is because using recycled metals enables them to reduce their manufacturing costs. Since scrap metal is a popular and valuable material, individuals can even make some extra money by selling scrap from their home remodeling projects, car repairs, and other items that serve as scrap metal sources. Sgt. Scrap provides expert scrap metal services for customers in New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania. Here, we outline the value and benefits of our services.
Ferrous vs. Non-Ferrous: Which Is Worth More?
Before beginning to sort through your scrap metal, it is helpful to understand the different kinds of metals. The easiest way to differentiate metals is to sort them into ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This will help make the process much easier. A few differences between these two types of metals include:
Ferrous Metals
These types of scrap metal are mostly known for the fact that they contain iron. These metals are typically used for their pull-off strength, as well as endurance in cars, rails, housing construction, and large-scale piping. This type of scrap metal is especially useful in the production of big motors and electric home appliances, due to it having magnetic behaviors. Some examples of ferrous metals are:
- Light Iron (less than 1/4 inch thick)
- Heavy Iron (1/4 inch or larger)
- Cast iron (Examples: older tubs, sinks and radiators)
- 410 Stainless steel
- Wrought iron
Non-Ferrous Metals
These metals do not contain any iron and have a higher resistance to corrosion and deterioration. For this reason, non-ferrous metals are often used for rain gutters, water pipes, roofing, cans, and even aircraft. Some types of non-ferrous metals include:
- Brass
- Aluminum
- Nickel
- Zinc
- Copper
- Lead
- Gold and silver
Overall, both scrap metal types are valuable in some shape or form, but ferrous tends to be much more common, thus less valuable than non-ferrous metals. Since non-ferrous metals are a bit less common, more durable, and rust-resistant, you’ll find that these kinds of scrap metal are worth higher values.
Aluminum vs. Tin Pricing
While they look remarkably similar, it is important to understand and be able to identify the difference between tin and aluminum before you attempt to recycle the metals. Tin is a soft, silvery-white metal used for coating steel cans, as it can act as a protective oxide layer. Meanwhile, aluminum is a soft metal with a silvery-gray color and shiny appearance
In terms of value, tin is a cheaper form of metal than aluminum. However, aluminum tends to be more popular, even though it is a bit more costly. Reasons aluminum is more valuable than tin include:
- Strength: Since aluminum is stronger than tin, it tends to have more use. Aluminum is often used for industrial purposes and in other industries, such as aerospace or auto.
- Energy Savings: When you recycle your scrap aluminum, it reserves 80% of the energy needed to process new aluminum.
You can find scrap aluminum in things like soda cans, old siding and gutters, bicycles, vehicle rims, license plates, and even cooking ware. The next time you are getting ready to toss your old materials, consider checking them for scrap aluminum. You can recycle the items for their aluminum, which helps reduce waste and save energy, and you may even make some money from it, too.
Where to Find Valuable Scrap Metals
There are many places around your home and office with scrap metal – and some of it can even prove to be high in value. Some of these may include:
- Instruments: Old or broken brass instruments, like trumpets and trombones, are great sources of brass scrap metal.
- Aluminum: Soda cans, outdoor furniture, fencing, siding, and roofing, are all household goods made with aluminum that can be recycled as scrap metal.
- Stainless steel: Appliances like refrigerators and dishwasher machines are often made with stainless steel, as the scrap metal alloy is durable and resistant to corrosion. If you have old or broken stainless steel appliances, you can recycle them, and may even make some money along the way.
Regardless of which type of metal you may be recycling, there is a wide variety of needs for each scrap metal type. While some may be more popular than others, mostly all scrap metal has its uses and will be worth bringing to the professionals at Sgt. Scrap.
Bring your Scrap Metal to Sgt. Scrap
Individuals looking for a place to recycle or trade in their scrap metal in New Jersey, Delaware, New York, or Pennsylvania can count on Sgt. Scrap. We offer mobile pickup or drop-off services to collect scrap metal. For mobile pickup, you’ll need to have at least 500 pounds of scrap metal. You can explore today’s prices online, as the price of scrap metal is ever-changing.
Earn extra cash while helping the environment by reusing and repurposing various types of metals. With the expertise of our staff members and the commitment of Sgt. Scrap, we help customers find solutions to their metal needs. For additional information on scrap metal services offered at Sgt. Scrap, contact us today.