What is the difference between Ferrous and Non-ferrous metals?
Ferrous metals are metals that contain iron as the main element. Some common examples of ferrous metals include steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and wrought iron. These metals are often used in construction, transportation, and manufacturing industries due to their strength, durability, and magnetic properties.
Non-ferrous metals, on the other hand, do not contain iron as the main element. Some common examples of non-ferrous metals include aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and tin. These metals are often used in applications that require lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and non-magnetic materials, such as in electrical wiring, plumbing, and in the manufacturing of aircraft and automobiles.
The distinction between ferrous and non-ferrous metals is important because they have different properties and applications.
Common use cases for ferrous metals:
Construction: Ferrous metals, particularly steel, are widely used in the construction industry for structural purposes. Steel beams and columns, for example, are used to support buildings and bridges.
Manufacturing: Ferrous metals are used in the manufacturing of various products, including machinery, tools, and equipment. For example, gears, bearings, and engines are often made from ferrous metals.
Transportation: Ferrous metals are used in the transportation industry for the production of cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes. Steel is commonly used in the construction of car bodies, and engines and other components are often made from cast iron.
Packaging: Ferrous metals are used in the production of various types of packaging, including cans for food and beverage products. Tinplate, which is made from steel coated with a thin layer of tin, is commonly used in the production of these cans.
Electronics: Some ferrous metals, such as iron and nickel, are used in the production of magnets and other electronic components.
Overall, ferrous metals have a wide range of uses in various industries due to their strength, durability, and magnetic properties.
Common use cases for non-ferrous metals:
Construction: Non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper, and brass are commonly used in the construction industry. Aluminium is used for windows, doors, roofing, and siding due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. Copper is used for electrical wiring and plumbing because of its high conductivity and malleability. Brass is used for decorative elements, fixtures, and hardware.
Transportation: Non-ferrous metals are used in the transportation industry due to their light weight and durability. Aluminium is used in the construction of aeroplanes, cars, and bicycles. Copper is used in the construction of electrical systems in cars, trains, and aeroplanes.
Electrical and Electronics: Non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminium, and silver are used in electrical and electronic components. Copper is used in electrical wiring, motors, and transformers due to its high conductivity. Aluminium is used in power lines and as a heat sink in electronic devices. Silver is used in electrical contacts and switches.
Packaging: Aluminium is widely used in packaging due to its lightweight, corrosion resistance, and ability to be easily molded. It is used for packaging food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
Medical: Non-ferrous metals are used in medical devices and equipment due to their biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Titanium is used in implants, such as joint replacements, due to its strength and durability. Copper is used in antimicrobial coatings and wound dressings.
Jewellery: Non-ferrous metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are used in jewellery due to their luster, beauty, and resistance to corrosion.
Aerospace: Non-ferrous metals such as titanium, aluminium, and magnesium are used in the aerospace industry due to their light weight and strength. Titanium is used in aircraft frames, engine components, and landing gear. Aluminium is used in the construction of aircraft bodies, wings, and engines. Magnesium is used in aircraft parts that require lightweight.
Overall, non-ferrous metals have a wide range of uses in various industries due to their unique properties and versatility.
The benefits of scrapping your metal:
Scrap metal recycling is a process that involves collecting, processing, and reusing metal that has reached the end of its useful life. Here are some benefits of scrapping your metal:
Environmental benefits: Recycling scrap metal helps to conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. By reusing metal, there is less need to mine and extract raw materials, which can have significant environmental impacts.
Economic benefits: Recycling scrap metal creates jobs in the recycling industry and generates revenue for businesses and individuals who sell their scrap metal. It also reduces the costs associated with extracting and refining raw materials, which can lead to lower prices for consumers.
Energy savings: Recycling scrap metal requires less energy than mining and processing new metal. For example, recycling aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing new aluminium from raw materials. This leads to significant energy savings and helps to reduce the carbon footprint of metal production.
Conservation of landfill space: Landfills are rapidly filling up with waste, and recycling scrap metal helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. By recycling metal, we can conserve landfill space and extend the life of existing landfills.
Reduced need for metal imports: By recycling scrap metal, we can reduce the need for importing metal from other countries. This can help to strengthen local economies and reduce the dependence on foreign sources of raw materials.
Overall, scrapping your metal is an environmentally responsible and economically viable way to dispose of metal that has reached the end of its useful life. By recycling your metal, you can help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and create economic and environmental benefits.
The price of scrap metal
The London Metal Exchange dictates the price of new industrial metal pricing. Scrap metal prices can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of metal, the current demand for that metal, and the overall economic conditions. Some of the most commonly traded types of scrap metal include aluminium, copper, brass, and steel.
Scrap your metal with us at London Metal Recycling
If you’re looking for a metal scrap yard or scrap metal merchant, look no further than our friendly team at London Metal Recycling. Our Authorised Treatment Facility is set up to scrap any ferrous or non-ferrous metals that you have. You can drop your metal down at our facility in Wembley, or alternatively, we can provide a scrap metal collection service. We have over 50 years of experience retrieving and recycling waste metals in the safest and most efficient ways possible.
We scrap most ferrous and non-ferrous metals including iron, cables, aluminium, stainless steel, alloy wheels, brass, lead, batteries and copper to name a few.
For more information regarding prices and our scrap metal services, get in touch with us.