Different Types of Aluminum Scrap
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Scrapping metal has various environmental advantages, the top being the reduction in the need for mining. Along with this, scrapping is economical for the country, increases resource recovery, and helps in energy conservation. Moreover, aluminum scrap or scrap metal can be further used for the metal recycling process.
However, before looking forward to cashing your metal or aluminum scrap, it is essential to understand the category in which your aluminum scrap falls. Various metals are classified as ‘aluminum.’ You need to know where your aluminum falls to find the best price and the appropriate scrapping method.
For reference, here are some of the different types of aluminum scrap. This will help you identify your aluminum scrap and how you can get the best price from it.
Types of Aluminum Scrap
Sheet Aluminum
Your lawn chairs without webbing, pans, window frames, jacketing from MC cables, and lighter gauge pots are some of the things that could fall in the category of sheet aluminum.
Sheet aluminum, in most cases, is backed by small amounts of plastic or steel. Ensure that you sort it out before bringing it to the scrap yard.
Cast Aluminum
If you find any aluminum that looks like it has been converted into a mold, it’s a cast aluminum. These may include BBQ grills, pole bases, land movers, hand tools, and even molds from cooking and electronic appliances.
Cast aluminum is made when aluminum is melted at high temperature and then poured into molds.
Aluminum Cans
These are the easiest to recognize and also the most common aluminum bought to scrap yards.
Aluminum cans are collected from soda or food cans. You can even clean them out and crush them before bringing them to scrap yards for pricing.
Dirty Aluminum
If your scrap has a certain amount of plastic, rubber, steel, or any other material along with clean aluminum, it would be termed as dirty aluminum.
Aluminum Gutters/Siding
Aluminum gutters or aluminum siding are most commonly found by general contractors and roofers. These are less commonly found in a residential building as most people have switched to vinyl siding.
However, aluminum gutters are the most durable form of gutters that prevent leaks and provide a drainage path for rooftops. Aluminum siding is used as siding for rooftops, house walls to keep them insulated.
Aluminum Wire
Any cables and wires with a silver color wire inside instead of copper is probably an aluminum wire.
If it’s silver in color and not magnetic, it is aluminum wire. However, when bringing these wires to scrap yards, separate the aluminum pieces from the copper pieces to get a clearer price.
Aluminum Rims
Aluminum rims are found on the wheels of most motor vehicles, be they a two-wheeler or four-wheeler.
When bringing aluminum rims to scrap yards, separate them from their rubber tires and lead wheel weights beforehand.
Conclusion
You should always bring in clean aluminum to scrap to get better pricing. This eliminates labor costs that go into cleaning the dirty aluminum (i.e., non-aluminum mixed with aluminum, or scrap with dirt and debris attached).
The best way to recognize aluminum from other metals is its non-ferrous feature, i.e., like other metals, it doesn’t attract magnets. This is the finest way to recognize aluminum from different sorts of metals.
So, are you ready to make some cash from your aluminum scraps and do your part for the good of the planet? We are here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
