Metals Guide
Plate & Structural Steel
Structural Steel Scrap including plate, Beams, angle, bar stock, tubing and channel. Prepared is cut under 5’ long x 2’ wide.
Heavy Melting Steel
HMS Scrap Steel ¼ inch or thicker. If pieces are under 5’ long x 2’ wide its considered prepared.
Tin & Light Iron
Light iron or sheet metal. Includes automobiles and appliances. Lower grade scrap steel.
Aluminum Cans
Any aluminum beverage container that has been emptied of its contents and is uncontaminated in any form.
Aluminum - Siding
Thin gauge aluminum sheets. Often with paint on it. Must be free of iron, foil, venetian blinds, castings, hair wire, screen wire, food or beverage containers, radiator shells, airplane sheet, bottle caps, plastic, dirt, and other non-metallic items.
Aluminum Extrusion
Consisting of window frames, door frames, structural type aluminum, with no contamination. Must be 6063 series aluminum.
Aluminum Extrusion - Painted
Same as regular extrusion, but has a slightly lower value due to paint, caulk, or other coatings.
Aluminum Clip
Most common grade of aluminum. Mixture of various aluminum alloys. Consists of plate, bar, solids, chunks or machined parts. Must be free of contamination, paint, nails, screws, etc. Misc Aluminum will fall into this category.
Aluminum Clip - Painted
Same as regular clip, however, may contain small amounts of paint, caulk or coatings. Clip Aluminum is a mixture of various aluminum alloys. Consists of plate, bar, solids, chunks or machined parts.
Aluminum Cast
Cast is an Aluminum Alloy that has been poured or “cast” into shape. This can include car parts and other mechanical parts used in aerospace or manufacturing. A higher Zinc, Copper or Magnesium content contributes to the pricing for this type of Aluminum.
Aluminum - Old Sheet
Thin gauge aluminum sheets. Often with paint on it. Must be free of iron, foil, venetian blinds, castings, hair wire, screen wire, food or beverage containers, radiator shells, airplane sheet, bottle caps, plastic, dirt, and other non-metallic items.
Bright and Shiny Copper
Copper wire that is shiny in its appearance. No contamination in any form. Must be thicker than a pencil lead. (10 Ga.)
#1 Copper
Clean, uncontaminated, no paint, solder, insulation, dirt, etc. Can be tubing or wire. Wire must be bare & thicker than a pencil lead.
#2 Copper
Copper that has paint, dirt, solder, corrosion, etc. Insulated copper is not accepted as #2 copper. Can be tubing or wire. Bare wire under pencil lead thickness is accepted.
Insulated #1
Insulated copper wire that is 14 gage or thicker (1/14 inch). If wire is stranded, each wire must be 1/14” or thicker. Must have a copper recovery of 70% or more. Most single jacket wire will be classified as #1 wire.
Insulated #2
Insulated Copper wire smaller than 16 gage (1/16 inch) and has a copper recovery of 50% – 60%. The copper wire may be coated by tin or nickel. Most multiple jacket wire will be classified as #2 wire.
Strippable Copper Wire
Copper wire that is at least .5” thick with one layer of rubber or plastic insulation. Each wire strand should thicker than the width of a penny. At least 70% recoverable Copper.
Yellow Brass
Brass that has a yellowish look in appearance. Commonly valves, meters, faucets. No Contamination. Free of iron, paint, plastic, washers, glass, etc.
Red Brass
Brass that looks reddish in appearance. Has a higher copper content. Commonly valves, meters, faucets. No Contamination. Free of iron, paint, plastic, washers, glass, etc. (78% – 82% Copper)
Stainless Steel (304)
A shiny, silver steel alloy that contains nickel and chrome. 304 is the most common grade of stainless steel, commonly found in appliances, kitchenware and other home use. Has a slight magnetic pull but magnet will not stick. For full price, must be free of iron, plastic, rubber, and other contaminants.
Stainless Steel (316)
This stainless steel grade is more commonly used in high temperature and industrial applications. Commonly found in food preparation equipment, water filtration screens and springs. Has a slight magnetic pull, but magnet will not stick. For full price, must be free of iron, plastic, rubber, and other contaminants.
Aluminum Wheels
Single-piece, un-plated aluminum wheels. Free of all inserts, steel, wheel weights, valve stems, and tires. Commonly mistaken with Steel wheels. Aluminum wheels will not stick to a magnet, whereas steel wheels will.
Aluminum Radiators
Radiators commonly used in automobiles. Made entirely of aluminum. Must be drained of all liquids. For full price, must be free of plastic and other contaminants.
Aluminum Copper Radiators
Radiators commonly found in air conditioning units and machinery. Contains aluminum fins with copper tubes. Must be drained of all liquids. For full price, must be free of plastic and other contaminants.
Brass Copper Radiators
Radiators can be made of Aluminum, Copper or a mixture of both. Our staff will be able to tell you what type you have and pay you for the metals
Electric Motors - Copper
Electric motors made from a combination of copper wire and steel. Found in a wide range of electronic devices including washers, dryers, refrigerators and air conditioners.
Copper Transformers
Transformers are used to reduce the voltage of conventional power circuits to operate low-voltage devices. Steel core with copper windings.
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