Is Aluminum Better Than Stainless Steel?

Posted on June 4, 2021 by admin

Because of the physical and visual similarities, stainless steel and aluminum are commonly mistaken for one another. But the technical differences between their properties make aluminum and stainless steel much different. It is important to know the differences between the two metals if you are intending to use them for an upcoming construction, fabrication, or remodeling project.

Continue reading to learn the differences between aluminum and stainless steel metal, and what you can do to earn some cash for your scrap metal here in Indianapolis.

Indiana Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700 — Indianapolis Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700

Aluminum Versus Stainless Steel:

Strength

When considering strength to weight ratio, in most cases aluminum is weaker than steel, even stainless steel. However, you must also consider that although not as strong, it is one third the weight of stainless steel. For this reason, it is commonly applied in aviation industries for manufacturing airplanes and similar commodities. But just for the record, steel is obviously stronger than aluminum.

Resistance to Corrosion

We all know that stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, namely oxidation, or rusting. For this reason, stainless steel is often used in commercial kitchen and food industries, and commonly used as the primary metal in our kitchen appliances. Stainless steel is layered with a coating of chromium that gives it it’s resistance to corrosion. As for aluminum, it retains a passivation layer, which means it is highly resistant to corrosion as well as oxidation.

Thermal Properties and Conductivity

Thermal conductivity refers to an element’s ability to hold and disburse heat. When it comes to conducting heat, aluminum is better than stainless steel. It is that simple. For this reason, aluminum metal is often used to manufacturer automotive parts that involve high key applications, such as car radiators and even air conditioning units. However, stainless steel has much better thermal properties, as it can be used at much higher temperatures and heat levels compared to aluminum, up to 400°F.

Electrical Conductivity

Aside from heat and thermal properties, there is also the consideration of electrical conductivity. When it comes to aluminum and stainless steel, aluminum takes the cake. Stainless steel is just a very poor conductor of electricity, while aluminum retains properties like high conductance and low weight ratios, making an excellent conductor of electricity.

Workability and Welding

Aluminum is much lighter and less dense than stainless steel, therefore much easier to work with and mold. However, when it comes to welding, stainless steel is better than aluminum because aluminum tends to just weaken and fall apart. It takes a master welder to work with aluminum.

Do you have left over construction materials made of metal or a heap of scrap metal that you wish to get rid of? Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get paid instant cash on the spot for scrap metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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4 Common Metals That are Easy to Recycle

Posted on June 30, 2020 by admin

The amount of metal used in our society is astronomical on a global scale. That is because metal is a highly-useful and beneficial commodity that can be applied in infinite industries, from automotive manufacturing and construction, to food service, plumbing, electrical, medical equipment, and more. If you are interested in doing your part to preserve our planet’s natural resources and reduce our need to mine for new ores, your best course of action is to start a metal recycling initiative at home and in the office!

Although all metal is 100% recyclable, there are some metals that are easier to come by than others. Continue reading to learn the top 4 easiest metals to get started with when it comes to recycling.

Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 317-244-0700

Aluminum

Do you have some food or soup cans laying around? These are likely made from aluminum! If not, they are made of tin, which is also entirely recyclable and reusable. Additional sources of aluminum scrap include car parts, metal patio furniture, mailboxes, sheet metal, bicycles, pots and pans, window frames, and some plumbing fixtures like sinks and faucets.

Steel

Steel is perhaps the number one most recycled metal in the United States. In fact, before Eco-friendly practices were trendy, steel was being recycling regularly. Not only does steel recycle require a fraction of the energy needed to recycle other materials, it does not lose any of its valuable properties in the process. This means steel can be recycled and reused over and over again.

Lead

Lead might not be something we want in our water, but it is something we want to recycle as often as possible. Common sources of recyclable lead include automotive batteries, including batteries for other types of motorized things, like motorbikes, bulldozers, golf carts, scooters, boats, and more. It is important to properly dispose of lead materials by recycling them because it can be harmful to the surrounding environment if leaked.

Copper

The most common sources of copper that can be recycled are electronics and cookware. If you have old pots and pans made from copper, you have a decent freight of recyclable metal. Other sources include anything with a computer or circuit board, as well as, electrical wiring. Some gutter systems and roofing materials are also made from copper, and can be recycled over and over again.

A Trusted Indianapolis Metal Recycling Company That Pays You Cash

Call Zore’s Recycling division at 317-244-0700 to recycle metal in Indianapolis, Indiana for cash. We have been a family owned and operated company for over 75 years, and continue to make customer satisfaction our number one goal in our metal recycling division. And to make recycling easier for you, we offer several customer conveniences at no extra charge! Request a free estimate, today.

How to Clean Cast Iron Rust Stains on Stainless Steel

Posted on May 27, 2020 by admin

Well anyone with a cast iron skillet knows not to leave it in a wet sink overnight. Yet, many of us still forget or neglect this rule of thumb, only to wake up to an unsightly ring of rust tarnishing their once bright and shiny stainless steel sink. Fortunately, this blunder is easily corrected. All you need are a few common household supplies, and a little elbow grease. Even if your sink is ruined from rust and oxidation, you still have the option of recycling it for cash at a local scrap metal yard. Then you can put that cash towards a new stainless steel sink!

Continue reading to learn all of this and more!

Rust Formation on Stainless Steel

Stainless steel isn’t exactly stainless. It is a chromium-based, ferrous metal, which means it is vulnerable to certain kinds of corrosion, such as oxidation, if it is not properly maintained. Oxidation occurs when oxygen and moisture come in contact with stainless steel. Upon such exposure, the properties in the metal will begin to interact with the properties in water and oxygen, which in turn, causes the iron in metal to corrode. Rust is simply a form of iron oxide.

What You Need to Clean Away Rust

Typically, simple baking soda solutions will do the trick when it comes to removing rust from metal. But for cast iron rust stains, you will need something a little stronger. An oxalic acid cleaner and a soft sponge are all you need, both of which can be found online or at your nearest grocery store. For oxalic acid cleaner, we recommend the Bar Keepers Friend® Soft Cleanser, which is a liquid version that does not contain any grit or abrasives. You can also use stainless steel polishes and cleaners, as well as, copper cleaners. You do not want to use anything caustic, or that contains harmful chlorides that will destroy the outer protective layer of your sink.

How to Get Started

The next time you leave your skillet in the sink, here is how to remove the residual rust stains:

🧼 Following the manufacturer’s instructions on your oxalic acid cleaner, apply a generous amount to the stained areas.

🧼 Dampen your sponge, and then scrub the cleaner into the stains, in the same direction of the grain.

🧼 Repeat the gentle scrubbing until you feel like the stain has lifted.

🧼 Then simply rinse your sink clean!

How to Scrap an Old Sink

If your sink is too old, or too stained to clean, you can recycle it at a local scrap metal recycling center. Some scrappers even pay for scrap metal, and an old sink is the perfect piece of scrap metal to recycle! After you recycle your old sink for cash, you can use it toward a brand new sink.

Indiana Scrap Metal Buyers Who Pay Cash on the Spot

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle steel in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only has Zore’s Inc. been a family owned and operated company for over 75 years, we pay cash on the spot for your metal commodities. We accept cans, sheet metal, appliances, vehicles, auto parts, equipment, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

What are Red, Yellow and Green Metals?

Posted on September 9, 2019 by admin

On our planet, and within the core, lies hundreds of thousands of natural ores and minerals that we mine to make metal. Of the vast varieties of metals found within the Earth, all can be categorized as either ferrous or nonferrous. Ferrous metals and alloys contain iron, while nonferrous contain no iron.

Aside from these umbrella categories, metals can be further broken down into more intimate classifications and descriptions, such as precious and noble metals. But have you ever heard of metals being described using color? Well, it is possible that you have come across red metals, yellow metals, and even green metals!

Continue reading to learn facts about each type of metal, including examples and common applications.

Red Metals

Red metal is an informal term used to denote common alloys we know as copper, bronze, and brass. You can probably see quite well that all three of these alloys have a red-like tone, thus earning them the aforementioned moniker. Red metals have several beneficial attributes, such as corrosion resistance, high conductivity, high tensile strength, ductility, and aesthetics. For this reason, they are commonly used to make musical instruments, plumbing parts, wires, marine hardware, sculptures, and more.

Yellow Metals

Also known as Muntz metal, yellow metal is named after an English businessman, George F. Muntz, who received a patent in 1832. Although they may share some of the same types of metal, red and yellow metals are much different. Yellow metals is another informal moniker used to describe a type of brass alloy that contains an average composition of 60% copper and 40% zinc. It’s most common applications is for manufacturing corrosion-resistant machinery parts.

Green Metals

There are actually not metals known as “green” metals, however, you may have heard of electrum, which is often called “green gold.” Wikipedia.com describes electrum as “a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals.” An alloy is a metal that is made up of two or more metals, such as brass, which contains copper and zinc. It’s most common applications throughout history, and even now, are for jewelry, plated plaques and awards, coinage, and investments.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for scrap metal, or any items that contain any type of metal, 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!