Get to Know Your Red Metals!

Red metals are a family of metals that contain copper and copper alloys, namely copper, brass, and bronze. Although they all share similar qualities in appearance, they are quite different in terms of composition and other respects. Continue reading to learn more about these important and useful metals, and then get started collecting your valuable inventory for reprocessing!

Copper Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 317-244-0700
Copper Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 317-244-0700

Common Red Metals

Copper

Copper is one of the most commonly-used and well-known metals in the world, easily distinguishable by its bright red-orange color. It is a vital resource for several industries and applications, including medical, agricultural, construction, health, and more. This metal has superior electrical and thermal conductivity, but is also malleable, strong, and resistant to corrosion.

Copper also retains a chemical composition that allows it to fight off bacteria. The Environmental Protection Agency did a study involving intensive antimicrobial testing and found that more than 350 copper alloys killed 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours of contact! Because of its incredible qualities, copper is used for a wide range of products, including everything from plumbing pipes and pipe fittings, to tools, circuit boards, water purifiers, appliances, décor, jewelry, and more.

Brass

Brass is an interesting red metal because it mainly consists of copper and zinc. But brass varies in terms of zinc content, making their qualities differ from one another. It can also have other elements aside from zinc, which also influences its qualities and color. The more zinc brass contains, the stronger and more ductile it shall be. In terms of color, brass can range from bright yellow hues to deep oranges or reds.

Because brass resembles gold so well, its most common application is decoration. But you will also find many instruments constructed of brass and brass alloys. A well-known brass allow is called tin brass, and contains copper, tin, and zinc.

Bronze

Bronze is a combination of copper and several other blends of metals (arsenic, tin, aluminum, silicone, phosphorus, manganese, etc.), making it an alloy of copper, but a bit of a “mutt” in the metal industry. But this does not mean that bronze is not a valuable and useful element. The combination of alloys makes bronze much stronger than copper. So, it is widely used for industrial manufacturing, like bushings and bearings, but also for art, sculptures, musical instruments, medals, and even nautical components since it’s corrosion-resistant.

Bronze is distinguishable among the other red metals due to its dull-gold color and barely-visible rings on its surface. Additional bronze alloys include nickel brass (nickel silver), bronze silicon, phosphor bronze (tin bronze), aluminum bronze, and copper nickel (cupronickel).

If you have surplus or scrap red metals on your hands, recycle them! Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-247-8484 for copper recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all scrap metal materials.

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The Most Important Qualities and Applications of Copper Metal

Copper is a metal that is used in a wide range of industries all across the world. It has so many fascinating qualities and characteristics that learning about this particular metal can be fun. It will give you a new respect for the copper commodities you use on a daily basis; ones you didn’t even realize were made from copper, like electrical wiring, waterproof roofing material, and even the pennies in our pockets!

Continue below to learn some of the most important and interesting facts about copper metal, plus how you can support global copper preservation and make some cash at the same time!

Recycle Copper Indianapolis Indiana 317-244-0700
Recycle Copper Indianapolis Indiana 317-244-0700

Common Copper Metal Applications

Copper ore was first discovered over 10,000 years ago and is still one of the most used metals within various industries today. Common applications and industries of copper include chemical, industrial, technological, and even artistic trades. This is possible because copper has the ability to endlessly transform and mold, thus allowing our industries to use it in various forms and for countless purposes.

Copper Occurs Naturally in Nature

The fact that copper is a naturally occurring element on earth is extremely valuable. In its purest form, it’s very soft and malleable, and has a reddish-orange hue to it. This is the color that most people associate with the metal we call copper. Because copper occurs naturally in nature, it is also a reusable and recyclable metal. This characteristic makes it even more valuable and useful to us.

Even commodities with copper parts within them can be recycled as well. What’s most exciting about copper occurring naturally is that there are still fast amounts available all around the globe. It is one of the most plentiful natural metals found on earth. This is good considering it is such an important element for life and society.

Copper is Essential to Living Organisms

Copper is a key constituent of a certain respiratory enzyme. It is a trace dietary mineral found in all living organisms and is vital for survival. In organisms like Crustaceans and mollusks, copper is found in blood pigments, a constituent of hemocyanin. In other organisms, such as humans or wildlife, it is a key dietary mineral found in organs, blood, bone, and muscle. Every living organism requires some degree or trace of copper. In humans, copper is mostly found in our liver, muscle, and in our bones.

Copper Can Be Recycled Over and Over Again

Copper metal is 100% recyclable, plus it can be recycled and repurposed over and over again, without jeopardizing its useful attributes and properties. By recycling copper at home and at work, you can support the global initiative to preserve our natural copper resources. Metal recycling preserves our natural resources, decreases our need to mine for new ores, reduces air and environmental pollution, and even puts money back into the economy. In fact, you can make fast cash by recycling copper and scrap metal in your town. Common copper items to recycle include copper wire, cables, circuit boards, appliances, plumbing fixtures, roofing, and coinage.

Looking for a scrap metal yard that will pay you the most cash for your copper and scrap metal materials? Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 for the most professional and hassle-free scrap metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot!

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Indianapolis Metal Recycling
Indianapolis Metal Recycling

Is it True That Copper Can Kill Bacteria?

Copper is an extraordinary metal. It is a naturally-occurring ore with a long list of amazing properties. And when we say, amazing, we really mean it! Copper is so amazing that it has the ability to abate bacterial growth. In fact, copper kills bacteria, like the ones that transmit illnesses no one wants to come down with; some of which can be very dangerous. From colds and influenza’s to viruses, infections, and more, copper can protect us from health conditions that commonly spread by touch.

Continue below to learn more about the antibacterial properties of copper, including how it is applied to our benefit.

Indianapolis Indiana Copper Recycling 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Indiana Copper Recycling 317-244-0700

Physical Properties of Copper

Copper is highly ductile, making it easy to form and work with. You can find copper in the form of jewelry, art, pipes, and more. You can form it into just about anything! Additionally, copper is tough, plus it contains a natural chemical makeup that renders it highly resistant to corrosion. You can only imagine the usefulness of a metal that doesn’t rust or corrode!

Aesthetically, copper is appealing to the eye. Although there are various grades of copper, ranging in hues from yellow golds and rich oranges to deep reds and browns, when oxidized, copper turns green! Because copper is so brilliant and lustrous in color, it is applied artistically in all sorts of industries.

Bacteria Fighting Properties

Copper has been used throughout history for medical purposes, even as far back as ancient Egyptian times. Text was discovered that revealed ancient Egyptians used it to preserve food and water, while evidence shows that copper workers and copper smelters were not affected by the deadly Cholera outbreak in mid-nineteenth century France.

Nowadays, we do not need to rely on copper to treat or kill bacteria because we have antibiotics and sanitizers to do that. However, copper is still regarded as an excellent killer of bacteria, which is why it is applied in other forms, which protect us against illness.

So, how does copper do it? Well, the truth is, no one really knows. It is suggested that copper can kill bacteria because it has the ability to oxidize lipids and proteins. Others infer that copper bonds with other molecules in a way that takes the place of another essential one, like zinc. You are familiar with hydrogen peroxide as an anesthetic; well, it has also been thought that because the exposure of copper to bacteria causes hydrogen peroxide to develop, it is why it can kill bacteria.

Common Copper Applications for Antimicrobial Purposes:

Medical Facility Surfaces: Countertops, Doorknobs, faucets, locks, light switches, bed rails, and more.

Laboratory Equipment: Medical instruments, test tube holders, centrifuges, and more.

Drinking Water Treatment: Piping material, water filters, water transportation, and more.

As you can see, copper is a vital natural resource that should be preserved and protected as much as possible. Be sure to recycle copper metal to support this initiative! Contact Zore’s Recycling division at 317-244-0700 for professional Indianapolis IN metal recycling services that PAY YOU cash on the spot! We accept appliances, electronics, equipment, construction scrap, plumbing scrap, and all other forms of metal and copper!

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Indianapolis Metal Recycling
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