What Are The Differences Between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal
Well, we could give you the short answer but that would be too easy, there are a lot of complexities in the scrap metal industry in which we distinguish the differences between metals.
Ferrous metals are made up of stainless, mild and carbon steel, cast and wrought iron. The strong durable metals that are used for construction, manufacturing cars, most tools you use. These metals are made up of a lot of carbon which is susceptible to rust. Basically, if you see rust it is most likely a ferrous metal. Otherwise ferrous metals have a magnetic composition, you can test your metals to see if they are magnetic and well if you magnetic sticks you have a ferrous metal. These types of metals are the most recycled metals in the world, which means there is a high supply and high demand so scrap metal prices will usually be lower than non-ferrous metals.
Aluminium, brass, copper and lead make up the non-ferrous category. Non-ferrous metals are harder to come by which makes their scrap prices higher than ferrous metals. These metals are lightweight however still strong so they are used where strength is required but weight may pose a problem. Non-ferrous metals are using resistant to rust which makes them more plausible to use in wet conditions like your roof and gutter.
So basically your short answer is ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals don't!
Despite the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals they still have one very important factor in common........They both need to be recycling. Contact Busby's Recycling to see how we can help you with recycling plan.
