Understanding The Different Types Of Scrap Metal And Their Properties

BCM Scrap Steel • July 18, 2024

Recycling scrap metal is more than an eco-friendly practice—it's a smart and sustainable way to repurpose valuable materials. From insulated copper to e-scrap, each metal type has unique characteristics and reusability potential. In this blog post, we'll explore these aspects in detail.

The belief that only widely used metals such as aluminium and steel are worth recycling is a widespread misconception. In reality, professionals in the metal recycling field handle a broad spectrum of metals beyond those routinely encountered in daily products. Metals like copper and brass are valued in different sectors for their outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity.

Recycling these metals conserves valuable resources and contributes significantly to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for new metal mining. Professional recyclers employ state-of-the-art technology to efficiently process and repurpose these metals, ensuring they benefit industries without depleting natural resources. 

Copper is ductile, meaning it can be stretched into thin wires without breaking. It's also corrosion-resistant, which makes it ideal for plumbing and electrical applications. When insulated, copper is protected from environmental factors that can cause wear and tear.

Once recycled, the copper can be stripped of its insulation and repurposed for new wiring, plumbing materials and art projects. The recycling process for insulated copper is energy-efficient and reduces the need to mine new copper, thus conserving natural resources.

Steel is one of the most commonly recycled materials due to its wide range of applications and the relative ease of recycling.

Steel is highly durable and can be easily fabricated into various shapes and sizes. Its high tensile strength makes it suitable for the construction, automotive and manufacturing industries. Steel is also magnetic, which helps in the sorting process during recycling.

Steel is used in buildings, bridges, automobiles and machinery. Recycling steel involves melting it down and purifying it to remove any impurities. The recycled steel can then be used to produce new steel products, reducing the demand for raw materials and the environmental impact of mining and manufacturing processes.

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is known for its bright, gold-like appearance and resistance to tarnishing. It's often used in decorative applications, plumbing fixtures and musical instruments.

Brass has several key properties that make it valuable for recycling:

• Corrosion Resistance: Brass is resistant to corrosion, which makes it ideal for use in plumbing and outdoor applications.
• Workability: It can be easily shaped and moulded into different forms and sizes.

Here are some common uses and the reusability of brass:

• Plumbing fixtures: Taps, valves and pipes.
• Decorative items: Jewellery, ornaments and architectural trim.
• Machinery parts: Bearings, gears and locks.

E-scrap encompasses discarded electronic devices like computers, smartphones and televisions.

• Contains precious metals such as gold, silver and palladium.
• Often includes hazardous materials like lead and mercury.

• Valuable metals can be recovered and reused.
• Proper recycling prevents environmental contamination.
• Components can be repurposed for new electronic devices.

Scrap metal collection facilities follow a thorough recycling process for e-scrap. This helps reclaim precious metals and prevents harmful substances from polluting the environment.

At BCM Scrap Steel, we understand the importance of efficient and environmentally responsible scrap metal collection. Whether you're a car repair shop dealing with insulated copper wires, a factory managing steel waste or a contractor with an abundance of brass fixtures, our team can help streamline your recycling efforts. Give us a call if you want to sell your scrap steel in Emerald.