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March 07th, 2023

3/7/2023

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The Differences Between Copper, Bronze, & Brass

Copper, bronze, and brass are all valuable metals when sold to a scrap metal recycling facility. These metals are used in various applications, from industrial machinery to home decor. Despite their similarities, there are some significant differences between these metals that are important to understand. In this article, we'll explore the differences between copper, bronze, and brass, including their properties, composition, and applications. If you’re looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, contact our team at Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett!

Appearance 

Although all these metals have a red/brown/orange color, they do have some distinctions. Copper always has a reddish-brown color, while brass can vary from yellow to red depending on the amount of zinc in the alloy. Bronze, on the other hand, has a darker, more brownish color than brass and can also have a slightly greenish hue due to the presence of copper oxide.

Strength

Bronze is the strongest of the three metals due to its tin constituent. It is frequently used in high-strength applications, including ship propellers, gears, and bearings. Brass is sturdy but less durable than bronze, making it ideal for musical instruments and plumbing fittings. Copper is the most malleable of the three metals and is frequently used for decorative items and electrical wiring because of its softness.

Composition

Copper is composed of pure metal, while brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. Bronze is also an alloy, but it is made from copper and tin, with small amounts of other metals often added for additional strength and durability.

Corrosion Resistance

All three of these metals have good corrosion resistance, but bronze is the most resistant due to the tin it contains, which helps protect against rust and other forms of corrosion. Brass is also highly resistant to corrosion, making it a popular choice for plumbing and marine applications. Copper is less corrosion-resistant than bronze and brass, but it is still suitable for many applications without exposure to harsh environments.

Cost 

Copper is the most expensive of the three metals due to its relative scarcity and high demand in the electronics industry. Brass is typically less costly than copper but more expensive than bronze due to the higher cost of zinc. Bronze is the most affordable of the three metals, making it a popular choice for various applications.

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!
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Second Street Iron & Metal purchases many different types of scrap metal for the best prices in the Greater Boston area! Our recycling services are open to businesses, demolition companies, homeowners, and the general public in the Boston region. Contact us today to get started by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!
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February 07th, 2023

2/7/2023

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Household Appliances That Can Be Sold To A Scrap Metal Recycling Facility 

​If you have old appliances or equipment sitting in your basement or garage, you can sell them to a scrap metal recycling facility and earn some cash! In this article, we’ll go over the appliances that are most commonly sold to recycling facilities and how you can get the most for them! If you’re a resident of the Greater Boston area that’s looking to sell scrap metal, Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett is here for you! Contact us today to learn more about our residential scrap metal recycling services!

Washing Machines

When a washing machine becomes faulty and unusable, it often sits around a person's house for months because they aren’t sure what to do with it. Luckily, scrap metal recycling facilities will pay you for your old, heavy washing machine’s weight in scrap metal! Most washing machines are made of primarily stainless steel or porcelain-coated steel, both of which can earn you some cash at your local recycling facility!

Refrigerators

If your refrigerator is past its prime years or has stopped working altogether, you can sell it to a recycling facility to earn some cash to put toward a new one! Refrigerators are primarily made of aluminum and steel, both of which are typically purchased on a price-per-pound basis by scrap metal recycling facilities. Because refrigerators weigh so much, you can sell them to a recycling company for a good amount of cash!

Ovens & Stoves

Like the two appliances above, ovens and stoves contain large amounts of metal. Rather than allowing your old stove to fill in space in your home and rust away over time, you can sell it to a scrap facility! Ovens contain several types of valuable scrap metal, including copper, iron, steel and aluminum!

Air Conditioners

One more appliance (that we’ll mention in this article) that you can sell to a recycling facility is an air conditioner. These appliances are heavy and primarily made of metal, meaning you can earn a pretty penny by selling them to your local scrap metal recycling center! Before bringing your air conditioner to a recycling facility, make sure to check with them to learn about their requirements for recycling air conditioners!

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

​Second Street Iron & Metal purchases appliances, equipment, junk vehicles, and almost every other kind of scrap metal for the best prices in the Greater Boston area! Our recycling services are open to businesses, demolition companies, homeowners, and the general public in the Boston region! Contact us today to get started by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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January 05th, 2023

1/5/2023

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What Types Of Scrap Metal Are In A Computer?

If you have a damaged or broken computer that holds little resale value, you can sell it to a scrap metal recycling facility for the valuable metals components it contains! The composition and types of metal used in computers has changed a lot in the last few decades, therefore the scrap value of computers has followed suit. Still, many computers contain several parts that are made from valuable metals like gold, platinum, copper, and more. In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of metals that you can find within a computer and where to look for them! 

Looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area? Contact Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA, to learn about our scrap metal purchasing services!

Gold 
Gold is widely used in computers, especially in older ones. Gold can be found in many different places within a computer, including in CPU chips, RAM boards, motherboards, and hard drives. Gold is the most desired element when a computer is scrapped and a large part of the reason that scrap metal recycling facilities purchase broken computers. In newer computers, gold is often replaced by copper contact points, which is not as valuable to recycling facilities.

Copper 
Copper is one of the more sought-after metals to a scrap metal recycling facility. As mentioned above, copper is commonly used in newer computers in place of gold components. Inside a computer, copper can be found in the computer wire, ribbon wire, CPU chips, power supply, and more. 

Aluminum 
Aluminum is one of the most abundant materials in a computer because it’s often what the frame of the desktop is made of. Aluminum can also be found in the hard drive casing, heatsink on top of the CPU chip, and several other places. When looking for aluminum inside your computer, you should keep in mind that it is NOT magnetic, which will help you differentiate it from steel and other similar-looking metals. 

Steel 
While steel is not worth a ton of money at a scrap facility, you can still earn some cash for it. Steel can be found in many different places within a computer, including the frame of the desktop tower, screws, drive frames, and more. Steel is magnetic, so it should be fairly easy to tell apart from some of the other metals that can be found in a computer.

Other Metals 
It’s not extremely common, but some older computers contain precious metals like platinum and silver. If these metals are present within your computer, you’ll likely find them in the circuit boards, computer chips, keyboard membrane, hard drive, or circuit boards. 

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!
​If you're ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!
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December 06th, 2022

12/6/2022

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How To Identify The Most Common Types Of Scrap Metal 

Because different metals are worth different amounts, being able to identify what kind of metal you have is a key component of scrap metal recycling! Metals can be split into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Ferrous metals are magnetic, while non-ferrous metals are not. Some of the most common types of non-ferrous metals include brass, bronze, aluminum, lead, and copper. The most common types of ferrous metals are steel and iron. In this article, we’ll give you tips on how you can identify each different type of scrap metal! If you’re ready to sell scrap metal for cash, come see us at
Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA!

Copper 

Most people who are familiar with construction projects have some sort of knowledge about copper. Copper is a non-ferrous metal that you can often find lying around after the completion of most homes & buildings. Copper is one of the most valuable types of scrap metal, so it’s a great idea to keep your eye out for it! You can usually identify copper by its color. Copper has a reddish-brown hue (like a penny), while brass (which is sometimes confused for copper) has more of a yellowish tint. Keep and eye out for copper in piping, wiring, and electronics!

Aluminum
 
Aluminum can be found in everything from soda cans to airplane parts! While aluminum is not the most valuable scrap metal by weight, the abundance of this metal makes it easy to find a lot of it, which can then be turned into cash! In fact, aluminum is the most recycled metal in America! Aluminum is typically a silver-colored metal that is very light and completely non-magnetic.

Brass
 
Brass is a metal alloy made from copper and zinc. While brass is not quite as valuable as copper, it is more abundant in some places. Brass is commonly found in musical instruments, pipes, valves, and more. Brass typically has a yellowish hue with a touch of red and is much heavier than most other non-ferrous metals!

Steel 

Steel is one of the most common metals on the planet and can be found virtually anywhere! You can test to see if a metal is steel by putting a magnet to it. If the magnet sticks, it’s likely steel. If it doesn’t, then you’ll know for sure that it is not steel! Steel is also relatively heavy and hard, while other metals like aluminum are light and soft. While steel is not the most valuable metal, it is abundant and can be found easily!

Sell Scrap Metal to Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA!

Second Street Iron & Metal purchases many different types of scrap metal for the best prices in the Greater Boston area! Our recycling services are open to businesses, demolition companies, homeowners, and the general public in the Boston region. Contact us today to get started by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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November 03rd, 2022

11/3/2022

1 Comment

 

Can I Sell A Catalytic Converter To A Scrap Metal Facility? 

​Catalytic converters are valuable car parts that are often sold to scrap metal facilities. These parts contain precious metals and are therefore worth more to a scrap facility than other parts of the car like the muffler, battery, rims, shell, etc. If your catalytic converter or vehicle as a whole has reached the end of its useful life, you can sell it to a scrap facility and earn some cash! The price that a recycling facility will pay you for your scrap metal is determined by a few factors, including metal type and weight; therefore, selling a heavy vehicle with lots of metal parts to your local scrap facility can earn you a nice chunk of "change"! In this article, we'll dive deeper into catalytic converters and give you some tips on when you should sell yours!

What is a Catalytic Converter?

​The catalytic converter is part of a car's exhaust system that converts harmful engine exhaust into emissions that are less harmful to the environment. Most catalytic converters turn hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides (bad stuff) into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor (not-as-bad stuff). The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system and is located on the underside of the car between the engine and the muffler. Catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which makes them expensive and valuable to scrap metal recycling facilities. 

When You Should Sell A Catalytic Converter To A Scrap Metal Recycling Facility 

A catalytic converter can last for decades but should be replaced when it starts developing faults frequently. When it's time to get rid of your catalytic converter, a scrap metal recycling facility can recycle the converter to pay you handsomely. Therefore, if your catalytic converter is experiencing the following faults, you should consider selling it and getting a replacement!

Poor Performance 

The catalytic converter could be at fault when your vehicle starts performing below expectations. Symptoms of a faulty catalytic converter include higher-than-usual fuel consumption, unexpected noises, and losses of power. If you bring your vehicle to a mechanic and they tell you that you need a new catalytic converter, be sure to sell your old one at a scrap facility!

Failed Inspection 

Most states carry out emission tests to ascertain that a vehicle is not causing environmental pollution. Your car's catalytic converter needs replacement if it fails emission inspection. To reduce the cost when getting a new one, you should sell the catalytic converter to a scrap metal facility!

Excessive Smoke 

Another sign that your car's catalytic converter may be faulty is if it releases excessive dark smoke from the exhaust. A vehicle with an exhaust system that is in good condition should not let out black smoke. This usually won't stop your car from moving, but it is not a sign you should ignore. 

Mileage 

Mileage can cause a catalytic converter to develop a fault once it is past its prime. The metals in a catalytic converter can break down over time and become less effective. You should check to make sure that your catalytic converter is still in good, working condition every 150,000 miles or so.

Sell Your Scrap Metal To Second Street Iron & Metal!

​If you're ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!

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