The
majority of non-ferrous scrap metal merchants deal in a wide range
of metals, including ferrous metals or alloys, especially if the
material is high quality and requires analysis and precise separation.
The least usual materials and complex alloys which contain nickel,
chrome, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, manganese, magnesium and
molybdenum, in addition to precious metals such as the groups
derived from gold, silver and platinum, require preparation prior
to being recycled. This preparation is as complex as the analysis
of the applications in which they are to be used, applications
such as aerospace aviation or defence. The following materials
constitute the main raw materials found in scrap metal:
Iron
When
carbon is added to iron, steel is produced. Over the centuries
other elements have been added to iron and to mixtures using carbon
to produce a wide variety of steel qualities. Steel is the most-used
metal alloy throughout the world. It is used in transport, the
construction industry and in all types of industrial equipment
and machinery, amongst many other applications.
Aluminium
Aluminium
is a comparatively new metal which has only been produced in large
amounts over the last 100 years, but is the second most-consumed
metal in the world, coming second to iron. It weighs a third of
the weight of steel or copper, and through its weight-strength
ratio, it is ideal for aviation, missiles, automobiles and heavy
goods vehicles such as trucks. The raw materials recovered from
obsolete aluminium scrap metal is used to manufacture drinks cans,
as well as being used in aviation, automobiles, heavy goods vehicles,
furniture or electrical appliances.
Copper
This
red metal has an extensive range of uses thanks to its electrical
and heat conductivity properties, its chemical stability and performance.
Bronze is a copper alloy in which the main elements added are
tin and zinc. Other types of copper alloys are nickel - coppers,
copper - nickel - zinc alloys and lead-bearing copper. Car radiators,
telephones, cables, pipes, electric motors, generators, lead installations
or railway equipment are valuable sources of copper from which
recycled material is obtained.
Zinc
One
of the most important uses of zinc is in serving as a protective
(galvanised) coating. It is also used in the production of bearings
in the automobile industry and has applications in construction.
As an element in copper alloys, it is used to produce bronze,
and as a chemical component, it is used in the manufacture of
rubbers and paints. Although the volume of smelting zinc which
is used in the automobile industry is in decline, the percentage
of zinc scrap metal recovered from breaking up vehicles is increasing
at a rate of almost 100%.
Tin
This
is one of the earliest metals to be discovered by Man. Research
data shows that it was already being used in the bronze being
produced around 3500 B.C. Today, most tin is used as a protective
coating for steel containers, in soldering and welding and in
the production of other alloys for a wide range of applications.
Lead
The
most common application that is given to lead is in batteries
for storing energy. It is also used to manufacture ammunition
and in the coverings on electric cables. As a result, recycled
batteries are the main source of recycled lead. In addition, this
is the material that is recycled in the largest quantities.
Nickel
Nickel
is fundamental in the steel industry through its application in
alloying processes with other elements, adding solidity and resistance
against corrosion at different temperatures. The most common formula
of stainless steel has an 18% chrome and an 8% nickel content.
The so-called "super alloys", normally based on nickel
contain more than 50% nickel, and are used for example in aircraft
turbines which require high resistance to extreme temperatures.
Chrome
This
metal is used to produce stainless steel and tools, is well as
non-ferrous alloys. Steel should contain a minimum of 10% chrome
for it to be considered stainless steel. The use of chrome reinforces
resistance to oxidation and corrosion.
Cobalt
Cobalt
is an essential element in many metal alloys and is fundamental
in the aerospace industry and in electrical appliances. Due to
its resistance to heat and deterioration, in addition to its magnetic
properties, it is also used in cutting implements, aircraft engine
components, electrical projects and catalytic applications.
Molybdenum
This
is used in stainless steel and high quality steel alloys, simple
alloy steels, tools and steels to be used in products which are
to be exposed to very high speeds. Molybdenum improves strength,
it is resistant to abrasions and corrosion, and increases resistance,
particularly to high temperatures. |
