Technologies Used to Sort and Separate Scrap Metal

The metal recycling process involves several steps that are equally important to the overall enterprise. From collecting and transporting materials, to sorting, processing, smelting, purifying, solidifying, re-purposing, distribution, and more, the scrap metal recycling industry works hard to ensure our natural resources are preserved. Many often wonder what it’s like taking in thousands of pounds of scrap metal and other materials, and how it is possible to separate the good stuff from the rest.

Well, continue reading to learn the top three technologies used in the business to separate scrap metal.

Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700
Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700

Eddy Current Separation

For recyclable piles that contain a mixture of materials, Eddy current separation method is used to sort metal from the plastic, paper, and textiles. During the process, electrical currents are streamed across the pile of materials, which attracts and levitates all metal, even metals that are not magnetic. From here, the metals can be further separated using additional magnetic technologies.

Magnets

All metal can be categorized as ferrous or non-ferrous, since ferrous simply refers to iron content. After all, metal either has iron in it or it doesn’t. Fortunately, ferrous metal is magnetic, making it easy to perform an initial separate of ferrous and nonferrous materials at a scrap yard. Metals and materials that do not attract to the large-scale, industrial magnets remain in the pile for further separation.

Metal Sensing

Metals that are higher in value, such as lead, copper, and precious metal, must be separated using a more technologically advanced and sophisticated process. Metal sensing technologies work best, as they are designed with innovative sensors that detect such metals through infra-red scanning and x-ray. The common types of metal sensing include pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and biotechnology.

 Where to Recycle Scrap Metal in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle scrap metal and make some fast money at the same time. We are a professional Indianapolis scrap metal recycling center that accepts and recycles all metals in any condition. Best of all, we pay cash on the spot for them! Recycle all sorts of stuff, including sheet metal and beams, cars, boats, construction equipment, power tools, old electronics, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

Types of Metal Categories and Common Examples of Each

If you are reading this blog, you are involved in the scrap metal or metal sales industry in some way or another. Or perhaps you are simply a person who is interested in learning more about metal recycling, and therefore, require a basic knowledge on the various types of metal. Either way, a good place to start is to learn about ferrous, non-ferrous, base, noble, and precious metal. Continue below to get started!

Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers
Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 317-244-0700

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

Ferrous metals are those that contain iron. Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron. In order to tell the difference between a ferrous and non-ferrous metal, all you need is a strong magnet. If the magnet attracts to the object, it is ferrous, and contains iron. Iron retains natural magnet properties, making it easy to decipher among iron and non-iron items. The most common types of ferrous metals are carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, wrought iron, and mild steel. The most common types of non-ferrous metals are copper, nickel, brass, aluminum, tin, lead, zinc, and precious metals like gold and silver.

Precious Metals

Precious metals are those that are naturally-occurring and very rare, giving them high economic value. Precious metals can be either ferrous or non-ferrous, depending on its various alloys. Common precious metals include platinum, gold, and silver, while rarer examples include tungsten, zirconium, cobalt, rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, osmium, beryllium, cadmium, bismuth, selenium, mercury, and germanium. Most often, precious metals are used to make jewelry and art, but also for medical instruments, computers, and electronics.

Noble Metals

Noble metals include both precious and non-ferrous metals. Noble metals are metals that are resistant to corrosion and oxidation in moist conditions, namely humidity. Copper is the only non-precious metal that is also a noble metal by the actual physics definition. But this is arguable since copper is vulnerable to both corrosion and oxidation. Other examples of noble metals include copper, gold, silver, iridium, platinum, rhodium, rhenium, palladium, ruthenium, osmium, mercury.

Base Metals

Scientifically, there is not just one authoritative definition for a base metal. In fact, there are three, each one exercised independently from one another depending on the s[specific application of the metal. The most accepted definition of a base metal is one that is neither noble nor precious. Noble metals and precious metals are quite similar, and also have multiple definitions and applications. To better understand the meaning of a base metal, you will need to review the basic meanings of noble and precious metals first.

Where to Recycle Scrap Metal in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for scrap metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay top-dollar for power tools, sheet metal, appliances, cars, trucks, motorcycles, golf carts, farm equipment, construction equipment, and more. And we guarantee to pay you cash on the spot! Call 317-244-0700 to make fast cash, today!