Name: Second Street Iron & Metal Co., Inc.
Address: 285 Second Street, Everett, MA, 02149, US
Telephone: (617) 387-1188

May 03rd, 2022

5/3/2022

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How To Tell The Difference Between Stainless Steel & Aluminum

Scrap metal recycling is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient practice when compared to the process needed to create virgin metals. Metal recycling can also help you or your company earn some extra money! While steel and aluminum both hold scrap value, knowing the difference between them is important when trying to calculate how much your scrap metal is worth. One of the most noticeable differences between the two metals is that aluminum is both lighter and softer than stainless steel. In this article, we’ll further break down the differences between these two common metals!

Differences Between Steel And Aluminum
Aluminum is softer than stainless steel, in addition to being lighter. As a result, aluminum is often found in various applications, including gutters on your home, automotive engines, and more. On the other hand, you will find stainless steel in applications where strength and rigidity are important. Because of its strength and durability, stainless steel is a popular option for custom-made items.

Appearance
When it comes to appearance, the two metals are similar, but there are a few ways to tell the difference. Aluminum typically has more of a greyish hugh, especially after it is exposed to elements. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is highly reflective and has more of a silver color. Even if exposure to the environment dulls its luster somewhat over time, stainless steel will nearly always be more shiny and silver than aluminum.

Weight
Aluminum is about half the weight of stainless steel when comparing two pieces of the same size. Aluminum is also more commonly found in light, thin sheets while stainless steel is more commonly found in heavy, thick applications.

Density
As can be inferred from the weight differences between aluminum and stainless steel, aluminum is less dense than stainless steel. This also means that aluminum is much more malleable and easier to scratch than stainless steel.

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! We’re always looking to buy a wide variety of different types of scrap metal, including ferrous & non-ferrous metals, appliances, equipment, junk vehicles, and more! In addition to scrap metal purchasing, we also provide our clients with roll-off dumpster rentals! Contact us today by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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March 31st, 2022

3/31/2022

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What’s The Difference Between Ferrous And Non-Ferrous Metals?

Recycling scrap metal holds countless benefits for the environment. According to The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), recycling scrap metal can reduce greenhouse emissions from over 52 billion tons to just 500 million tons - a huge difference. Recycling also preserves the environment’s natural resources by reusing existing metals rather than mining new raw materials. The good news is that almost every kind of metal can be recycled an infinite amount of times, meaning you can recycle both ferrous and non-ferrous metals!

Besides its environmental benefits, recycling metal also poses numerous economic benefits. The metal recycling industry creates more than 500,000 jobs and generates a tax revenue of over $10 billion across the US yearly. By lowering the cost of producing usable metals, recycling reduces the price of consumer goods such as appliances, automobiles, architectural structures, cutlery, etc. If you wish to help your environment and economy while making some cash along the way, Second Street Iron & Metal is always ready to purchase both ferrous and non-ferrous metals from residents and businesses in the Greater Boston area!

Ferrous Metals

Metals can be divided into two major groups: ferrous and non-ferrous. Both groups can be recycled, although the recycling methods may vary. The differentiating property between the two types of metals is that ferrous metals contain iron while non-ferrous metals do not. Examples of ferrous metals include stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and wrought iron.

Ferrous metals have a higher tensile strength than their non-ferrous counterparts, making them the preferred choice for architectural purposes. Their magnetic properties also make them functional components of electrical and motor appliances. Other uses of ferrous metals are seen in the production of shipping containers, industrial piping, fencing, cookware, railing, tools, etc.

The major downside to ferrous metals is that their high carbon content makes them vulnerable to rust. The only exceptions are wrought iron and stainless steel. Wrought iron owes its rust resistance to its pure iron content and fibrous structure, while the chromium in stainless steel reacts with oxygen to form a protective “passive” layer that makes it rust-resistant.

Non-Ferrous Metals

As stated above, non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and are, thus, not magnetic. Since these metals are lighter and more malleable than their ferrous counterparts, non-ferrous metals are the best option for applications that demand low-weight yet durable metals. Although they lack magnetic properties, non-ferrous metals are excellent conductors of electricity and heat. The absence of iron in non-ferrous metals also makes them corrosion-resistant.

Examples of these metals are aluminum, lead, nickel, tin, gold, silver, platinum, copper, and copper alloys such as bronze and brass. Aluminum is used in manufacturing aircraft parts, pistons, radiators, and food cans. Due to its low resistivity level, copper is the metal of choice for producing electrical cables and batteries. Silver and gold have extensive uses in jewelry, cutlery, and electrical circuit contacts. Non-ferrous metals are also used for roofing, gutters, fixtures and fittings, kitchen utensils, statues, fuels, paints, computer parts, and much more.

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are indispensable to most industries. However, continuous mining of these metals increases greenhouse gas emissions, depletes natural resources, and causes land pollution. Scrap metal recycling provides a sustainable approach to the production of usable metals in our society!

At Second Street Iron & Metal, we purchase ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals, as well as junk vehicles, 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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March 09th, 2022

3/9/2022

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What Happens to Scrap Metal When It's Recycled?
Scrap metal recycling can be great for you and even better for the environment. Scrapping metal can put some extra cash in your pocket, clean the clutter out of your garage or basement, and help our environment at the same time! Recycling metal is beneficial to our environment because it saves energy and reduces the strain on limited natural resources. While almost everyone knows that metal recycling is beneficial to their wallet and the ecosystem, it's not always clear how the process works. In this article, we'll break down each step of the scrap metal recycling process!

Collection
The first step of the scrap metal recycling process starts with you! You can find scrap metals in various places: at home, work, your neighbors, and even online. When you bring your scrap metals to a recycling center, you'll get paid for them based on the current market price of the specific types of metals that you've brought in. Once the metals are in our facility, the real recycling process begins!

Sorting
Once scrap metal has been collected, the next step is to sort them into their individual types. If other components are still attached to the metal, such as plastic, wire, or adhesives, the facility workers remove the excess materials. Magnets are then used to differentiate ferrous metals from nonferrous metals and separate the two. The sorting continues as the facility divides the metals by type.

Processing
After the sorting process is complete, the metals need to be processed. This involves compacting the metals and cutting them down into manageable sizes. Next, the small compact pieces are shredded down into thin strips so that they're ready for the next part of the process.

Melting
After the metal is sorted and shredded, the recycling center will begin melting down each individual type of metal. Given that different metals melt at different temperatures, only one kind of metal gets melted at a time. The specific metal may require additional time frames to melt completely, which is why sorting the metals appropriately is so important.

Purification
The next step of the process is to purify the metals using electricity. When a current passes through a piece of metal, any impure contaminants are liquified. Another process utilizes a magnet for an additional round of separation before the metal is molded, cooled, and solidified.

Transportation
The new metals sheets are then transported to manufacturers to create new products. Although the recycling process requires some energy, it is far less than mining for new raw materials. The creation of new products with previously discarded metals is the ideal way to lessen the impact on the planet. A single piece of metal can be recycled an infinite amount of times, which is why it's so important to recycle all the metal that you can!

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 you the best price for your scrap metal so that you can help your bank account and the environment. 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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January 31st, 2022

1/31/2022

1 Comment

How Scrap Metal Recycling is Beneficial to the Environment

Environmental pressures are pushing people to find ways to recycle more and use less. For this reason, it’s no surprise that scrap metal recycling has jumped in popularity in recent years. If you’ve got a collection of old appliances, aluminum cans, or any other scrap metal, keep reading to learn more about why you should consider recycling it!

Benefits to the Environment:

Less Mining

Mining for ore is very taxing on the planet. Large chunks of the earth are dug up or tunneled into in the search for raw materials that can be made into metal. Large amounts of resources are used for the mining equipment, which leads to air and land pollution. Mining can even cause sinkholes to appear, damaging property and land. Deforestation, dwindling populations of local flora and fauna, and water contamination can all be caused by mining. For these reasons, it’s important for us to reuse as much metal as possible so less raw materials are needed.

Reduces Landfill Volume

Whatever metals aren’t recycled or reused usually ends up at a landfill. Not every material can be recycled, so, naturally, there will be some added landfill volume each year, but recycling scrap metal is a great way to prevent overfilling garbage dumps. Instead of taking up space, scrap metal can be recycled and made into a functional product over and over again.

Prevents Toxic Exposure

Though the raw materials used to make metal come from the earth, unrecycled metals can actually cause harm to the soil and groundwater if they aren’t recycled. Toxic components of metals can leak into the ground and affect plants, animals, water sources, and more, leading to an unhealthy environment. Recycling removes these toxic elements and makes the metal ready for further usage without damaging the environment.

Conserves Energy

Creating a metal object from virgin ore uses up a lot of energy. Recycling, on the other hand, uses only a fraction of that energy. This means metal production gets more energy-efficient the more it is used and recycled.

What Metals Can I Recycle?

The most common metals you can recycle are copper, brass, iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. They can all be found around the house, especially in the kitchen, electrical systems, and plumbing. Before getting rid of old appliances or cooking items, head to your local scrap metal specialist to see if they can be recycled! The best part is that you’ll be paid for your unwanted metals!

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

If you’re ready to give scrap metal recycling a try in the Greater Boston area, get in touch with Second Street Iron & Metal! We’ll give you the best price for your scrap metal, so you can help your bank account and the environment. 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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January 03rd, 2022

1/3/2022

0 Comments

How to Sell Scrap Appliances for Cash
Did you know that you can turn old dishwashers, washing machines, and more into quick cash? Our team at Second Street Iron & metal offers the best scrap metal prices for your old junk, including scrap appliances. Below, we’ll talk about some important tips and knowledge you should have before you start selling scrap appliances!

What Appliances Can You Sell For Scrap Metal?
Old stoves, dryers, dishwashers, and washing machines that are no longer in use can earn you a pretty penny when you sell them for scrap. Because these home appliances are large and heavy, they often carry more metal embedded in their composition than other appliances worth scrapping. Since these appliances are largely made of metal for durability, they’re extremely valuable to scrap metal recycling companies. When you bring these appliances to a scrap yard, they’ll be separated into their ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts. Because these different types of metals have different market values, each part will be weighed separately and you’ll be compensated accordingly!

What Appliances Don’t Carry Scrap Value?
While almost any appliance can be sold for scrap metal, several types aren’t worth that much. This is because some types of metals and scrapping techniques due to the appliances’ complexity aren’t worth the time or effort. For instance, salvaging metal from a microwave oven will earn you cash, but it will likely be worth less per pound than a washing machine. Avoid going for scrap appliances that have a high plastic content. Also, smaller appliances such as toasters, ovens, and mixers are worth far less than a single dishwasher. Unless small appliances are from the heating and cooling system units (HVAC) that have tubing and valuable metal coils, they won’t be worth a large amount.

Best Places to Look for Scrap Metal Appliances
The best places to look for scrap appliances for cash include your basement, nearest junkyards, sheds, and any other area that junk may have been left around.

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!
If you’re living in or around the Boston area and are looking into selling scrap appliances for cash, look no further than Second Street Iron & Metal! We purchase scrap appliances for the best prices you’ll find anywhere in the area! 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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