Scrap Metal Classifications & Types of Metal To Scrap

Scrap metal doesn’t refer to a single form of metal. Instead, there are two primary categories in which scrap metals can be grouped- ferrous and non-ferrous. If you participate in scrap metal recycling and do it to make some extra money or to re-purpose the material, it’s crucial that you know the type of metals that you are handling. Doing so could make your projects a success, or cause you to maximize your cash gain. Let’s take a closer look at the scrap metal classification and metal types that you should know about and understand.
 
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals can be regarded as the most basic form of recycled metals. You can spot the difference between ferrous metals and other forms of metals by their attraction to magnets. These metals are known for their durability and strength. Containing high carbon content, ferrous metals are susceptible to corrosion and rust when exposed to the elements, with the exception being wrought iron, which resists oxidation, and stainless steel, which is protected by its high chromium content. Ferrous metals include, stainless steel, cast iron, alloy steel, carbon steel and wrought iron.
 
Ferrous Metal-Containing Items
There are many everyday items that people use that contain ferrous metal. These  include: refrigerators, ovens, knives cast iron skillets and vehicles. However, ferrous metals can also be found in industrial containers, industrial piping, railroad tracks, bridges, tools and hardware items.
 
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals aren’t magnetic or pack the same strength as ferrous metals. However, they have their unique advantages. These metals are lightweight and malleable are more resistant to corrosion and rust. Non-ferrous metals are commonly used in manufacturing industries where metal need be bent in particular shapes to make a product or packaging. Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, lead, copper, zinc, tin, brass, gold, nickel, magnesium and titanium.
 
Non-ferrous Metal-Containing Items
Non-ferrous metals have long been used to make gutters, water pipes, road signs and roofing, as well as packaging for beverages and can goods, car parts and kitchen utensil. Since non-ferrous metals are non-magnetic, they are ideal for electrical wiring and use in electronic applications and in the construction of aircraft.
 
Common Scrap Metals Types
Aluminum is known for being malleable and lightweight, aluminum is used to perhaps the most common scrap recycle metal that is used in aircraft manufacturing applications and commonly to make beverage and food cans.

Copper is used primarily in the electrical industry for wiring and conductor applications, copper is highly ductile and malleable. It’s also used for cartridge cases, bearings and sheet roofing.

Lead is characteristically heavy and malleable, with a low melting point. However, it is corrosion resistant and is commonly used in applications that include electrical power cables, batteries, and some soldering, cable sheathing, lead crystal glass and weights for lifting.

Zinc has medium-low strength and a low melting point, zinc is commonly used in galvanizing, which involves the application of a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to make it rust-resistant.

Tin is widely used to coat steel to make it corrosion resistant, and can also be combined with copper to create tin brass and bronze.

Carbide is hard and delivers unmatched abrasive and thermal resistance. This scrap metal is used in mining, jewelry and machining applications.

Iron is relatively soft and ductile in nature, iron is a moderately good conductor of heat and electricity. Iron is another common scrap metal and is common in numerous household items, from cast iron pots to backyard swings.

Brass is a combination of copper and zinc as well as other metals. It is a heavy metal which you can find in many items in and around the home, such as keys, door handles and knobs, light and bathroom fixtures, bed frames and brass-plated crockery.

Titanium is a versatile metal that is used in many applications, from jewelry to airplanes. Its value lends to it being corrosion resistant and durable.

There is value in scrap metals and if you make a trip to a scrap yard, you want to be able to correctly identify your metals. Local scrap metal services provide the opportunity to make some extra money if you can find the right scrap metal to do business. 

Farm Equipment Perfect For Scrapping

The summer months are the busiest times for farmers as they have the consistently nice warm weather to feed their crops. Just like with any equipment you have, over time there will be signs of wear and tear and eventually the vehicle or equipment piece will stop working all together. Instead of throwing them away, you should take them to a local scrap metal yard to see if the parts can be scrapped. Not only is this a more proper way of disposing your not longer working farming equipment but it is a great way to get some extra cash in your pocket.

What Kind Of Farm Equipment Is Good for Scrapping

Farming equipment and vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. When they have reached the end of their useful life you should gather them all together to take to a local scrap yard. the easiest way to get the most bang for your buck is to look to see if any of your heavy and old farm scrap. While the smaller pieces are great to scrap together, one single heavy equipment could give you much more money for the metal. The types of farm equipment you should consider to be scrapped include:

• Reapers
• Reaper-binders
• Portable Engines
• Ploughing Engines
• Traction Engines
• Steam Tractors
• Agricultural Engines
• Hog Oilers
• Flails
• Threshing Machines
• Winnowing Machines
• Drag Harrows

A great thing about farm scrapping is that it doesn't have to necessarily be narrowed down to just heavy equipment and vehicles. As long as there is ferrous metals to be scrapped, they will be taken. Instruments used in farming that are also made from non-ferrous metals include:

• Old Implements
• Rusted Plows
• Combines
• Tractors and Tractor Parts
• Extra Metal From Old Repairs
• Tubular Steel 
• Plate Steel

If you are looking to scrap your farm equipment the be sure to contact Second Street Iron & Metal today! 

4 Items To Scrap This Summer

While the summer is the perfect time to relax and enjoy the weather, it is also the perfect time to start clearing out unwanted or unused items from your home . This is a perfect time to gather together old scrap metal appliances you no longer need. With the summer being the busy season for scrapping metal, it is a smart idea to get a head start on gathering scrap metal. Below are four different items most commonly scrapped in the summer. 

A/C Units

​The summer months and summer heat usually cause homeowners to bring out their air conditioning units from storage. this is usually a time where you will figure out if your unit still works or not. If you find that your unit no longer works then it is a good item to give to a scrap metal yard. 

Poolside Equipment

For homeowners that own pools they know that the pool will be used heavily in the summer. With this comes maintenance with various pool equipment and over time these items will show wear and tear over time. When opening your pool, it is a good time to notice if there are any parts of the pool that need to be repair or replaced. sometimes the pool motor may be shot, the heater can break (if you have one), or the aluminum poles to clean the pool could break. These are all great scrap items you should take to your local scrap yard. 

Grills

One of the biggest excitements of the summer season is the amount of cookouts and celebrations that call for the use of a grill. Grills are great for cooking your favorite summer time meals but also are a good money grabbers if scrapped. When homeowners prepare their home for the summer they will determine if they need a new grill or not. If you notice old broken grills in your neighborhood, you should consider picking them up to scrap as you can get a good price for them. Grills that are made of aluminum or stainless steel can get a good deal of money for and if they have a propane tank, then the scrap yard could take these as well.

Lawn furniture

While in storage, lawn furniture could be damaged during a long winter storage as well as if it is heavily used in the spring and summer. In addition, with the sales of new furniture, some homeowners will prefer to purchase new furniture than clean off and repair old broken ones. If you find yourself with broken lawn furniture or are looking to purchase new furniture, contact a scrap yard to see what they will take. As many lawn furniture are made of material that will be accepted to scrap at yards. 

 5 Common Scrap Metals & Where to Find Them
 
There are many different items that are thrown out each day that contain scrap material that can be recycled. Recycling scrap metal is not only a way to make a little extra money, but it is also a way to prevent hazardous material present in scrap from causing physical harm, death, injury, or environmental damage. Below you’ll find five of the most common scrap metals and where to find them.
 
1. Iron
Iron is a metal that can be found in ferrous material that is very popular around the globe. This metal is included in many different products for use in our surroundings, home, industrial sites and workspace, among other areas. Commonly found in items like pipes, furniture and fixtures. Iron is useful for scrap metal and melted down and reused to create new products.
 
2. Steel
Steel is a popular metal found in large appliances cars, chairs, cabinets and shelves. It is also often used for tubes, heavy machinery, pipes, automotive, and construction purposes. Steel is easy to recycle thanks to its magnetic properties, which makes impurities  simpler to separate. Industrial and construction sites, restaurants, bakeries, aerospace, machine shops and the home are places where you can find steel scrap.
 
3. Aluminum
Aluminum beverage cans are perhaps the most common products that contain aluminum and are popular in scrapping and recycling. This non-ferrous metal is versatile and pliable metal and is found in a number of items, including car parts, doors, window pieces and gutters. Some of the typical places that you can find scrap aluminum, includes kitchens, pools and backyards.
 
4. Brass
Brass can be classified as an alloy that consists of copper and zinc and is essentially a heavy metal. It is commonly used for decorative purposes, making light and bathroom fixtures, door handles and keys, as well as some plumbing parts. It is one of the higher paying scrap materials and can be found at local ranges, at dumpster sites, on Craigslist, as well as auto shops, pawn shops and repair shops.
 
5. Copper
Copper is an important non-ferrous metal and is sought out and valuable as well. As a scrap metal, copper commands decent prices, which can help to gain some extra cash if you recycle it. Cooper can be found in pipes, electric wires and electrical components. You can find copper at demolition site or remodeling sites, household plumbing, decor, roofing, household appliances and old electronics.
 
Local companies providing scrap metal services are good places to take your scrap metal. These common scrap metals can be recycled and earn you some quick cash. If you have scrap metal you are looking to get rid of, contact second street iron & metal today! 

​7 Places to Find Scrap Metal This Spring

The cold season is over and spring is here, creating more ideal temperatures to get out and hunt for scrap metal. There is more construction activity, cleaning and decluttering during the warmer months. There is an increased chance of finding scrap metal during spring if you know where to look. Your community can be a convenient place to find scrap metal this spring. Take a look at these seven places that you may have overlooked.

Garage Sales
Many people do spring cleaning this time of year, and one way to get rid of old or unwanted belongings is to sell it dirt cheap at a garage sale. You never know what you could find at a garage sale, so be on the lookout for neighborhood garage sales. Electronics, bicycles and tools are some items that you may find at a garage sale.
 
Community Clean-Ups
What better time to clean up your neighborhood than during the spring? There are many things lying on the side of the road, and you may very well find items that contain metals during your clean-up, such as wrecked car parts rims containing aluminum. Check the message boards or your city or town’s website community clean-up activities that you could participate in and do some scrapping at the same time.
 
Bulk Garbage Day
Bulk material pickup day is a service offered by many waste management companies, and it provides an opportunity to find both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It’s common to find bulk material like grills, AC Units, washers and fridges, out on the curb the night prior to pickup. These items are public property and free for anyone to grab.
 
Craigslist
Craigslist is a platform where you can find individuals selling scrap items that they are looking to get rid of. Homeowners use Craigslist to find a new home for nuisance items, like old brass beds, old air conditioning units, televisions, old kitchen appliances, and other unwanted metal objects. Move quickly because items could go fast.
 
College Campuses
College students often dump or leave behind a number of items when moving out of their dorms or apartment. They tend to leave behind items like broken lamps, televisions, mini fridges, microwaves and shelving units. 
 
Spring Festivals/Events
Spring community events, such as fairs occur all across the country each year, providing the opportunity to acquire scrap metal. Pop is a common drink sold at spring events, and if aluminum cans are items that you are after, you can collect plenty at an event. Place bags in various locations to collect a bulk of aluminum cans.
 
Recreation Center
You may be interested in old equipment to scrap, and a recreation center may have some old or broken ones stored away. Consider contacting local recreation centers and inquire about old sports equipment such as aluminum bats, exercise and playground equipment, toys and park equipment that they no longer use and would like to discard.
 
You might be surprised by how much and the type of items that you could find at these places. After acquiring your loot, seek out reputable scrap metal services to get the most for your scrap metal. Contact Second Street Iron & Metal for all your scrap metal needs!