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Nearly all types of metals can be recycled. If you’re a homeowner, construction company owner, or simply someone who’s passionate about scrap metal recycling, you’ll need to know how to identify various types of metals for recycling. In this article, Just Scrap It—a top-rated scrap metal recycling company—highlights the ten common recyclable metals and how to identify them.
This is the most recycled metal, as it is used in almost every industry and in countless everyday products. It can be found in appliances, construction materials, and vehicles. Steel can range from a dull gray to a shiny finish, and its durability makes it suitable for numerous applications.
Pure iron is also magnetic, though less strongly than steel. It's heavier than aluminum and has a dull gray or black appearance. You'll find iron in cast iron cookware, pipes, and some machinery parts. It’s quite easy to identify iron by checking for its weight and magnetic attraction—these are some of the aspects that distinguish it from other dense scrap metals.
Copper is easily recognized by its reddish-brown color. Unlike iron and copper, it's non-magnetic and relatively soft. Found in wiring, pipes, and some cookware, copper's distinctive hue makes it simple to identify. It's also known for its excellent electrical conductivity. Look for its warm, reddish tone and flexibility to distinguish it from other metals.
This is an alloy of copper and zinc that’s identifiable by its golden-yellow color. Brass is non-magnetic and commonly used in plumbing fixtures, hardware, and musical instruments. Brass can be distinguished from pure copper by its lighter, more golden hue and its greater hardness. It is also more brittle than copper.
Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, appears brown with a golden tint. You can find this metal in sculptures, bearings, and some tools. Bronze can be identified by its darker, more reddish-brown tone compared to brass and its historical use in decorative and functional objects.
Zinc is a bluish-gray metal, commonly found as a coating on galvanized steel. This metal is moderately hard and can be identified by its dull, grayish appearance. You'll find zinc in batteries, gutters, and some die-cast parts. When scratched, it can reveal a bright, silvery surface.
Tin is a silvery-white metal with a slightly bluish tint. Similar to aluminum, tin is soft and malleable, and it’s often used as a coating on steel cans (tinplate). Its softness and low melting point, along with its bright, silvery appearance, help with its identification, especially when found as a coating on other metals.
This is one of the precious metals commonly used in jewelry, lab equipment, and automotive catalysts. It’s silvery-white in color and has a bright, lustrous sheen. Platinum can be mistaken for silver or white gold, but it has a deeper tone.
Like platinum, nickel has a silvery-white appearance with a slight golden tinge. It is a ferromagnetic metal, meaning it can be magnetized. This is a key characteristic that sets it apart from many other metals. In addition, nickel is highly resistant to corrosion; hence, it maintains its appearance over time.
Silver has a bright, white, and highly reflective appearance. It has a unique luster that distinguishes it from other scrap metals. It’s used in electronics, jewelry, and silverware.
Like platinum, nickel has a silvery-white appearance with a slight golden tinge. It is a ferromagnetic metal, meaning it can be magnetized. This is a key characteristic that sets it apart from many other metals. In addition, nickel is highly resistant to corrosion; hence, it maintains its appearance over time.
Looking for trusted scrap metal buyers? Get in touch with Just Scrap It. We’ll get you the best price possible for your scrap metal. Give us a call or contact us online for more information.
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