Facts About Steel Pickling

A common, unusable substance that can form on hot-worked steel is known as iron oxide. Iron oxide formation results in a layer of flaky scale that significantly reduces the quality and performance of the metal. In addition to iron oxide scale, several other impurities are also known to degrade hot-worked or hot rolled steel materials, such as rust and similar iron oxide allotropes. To combat iron scale formation and impurity contamination on steel, a special metal dipping process was developed known as steel pickling.

Continue reading to learn some important facts about steel pickling, including how to make the most out of damaged steel materials in Central Indiana.

Scrap Steel Recycling Indianapolis IN 1-888-586-5322
Scrap Steel Recycling Indianapolis IN 1-888-586-5322

What is Steel Pickling?

Steel pickling is a metal decontamination process involving acid bathing science. Hot worked steel is dipped into a substance known as pickle liquor, hence the name, to remove all surface impurities that can increase the rate of iron oxide scale, rust, and similar metal corrosion. Pickle liquor can be either sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. Both substances render equivalent efficacy.

Conventional hot worked steel can be decontaminated with so for occur hydrochloric acid bathing, but any steel material with the carbon content higher than 6% will require an additional dipping into an acid bath of nitric, phosphoric, or hydrofluoric acid. Following the acid bath process, treated steel is rinsed clean with water and ready for further treating. Typically, cold working is the next step following steel pickling.

Smooth Clean Surface (SPS) and Flame Cleaning

Smooth clean surface (SPS) is a common alternative to steel pickling that remove surface impurities by pushing sheet-metal through a series of rollers and mechanical abrasives. It is often chosen in place of steel pickling when dipping is structurally incompatible, or the particular type of metal or impending application is vulnerable to acid bathing. Another common alternative to steel pickling is known as flame cleaning. This steel decontamination process uses an oxyacetylene flame that essentially burns off all surface impurities.

Responsible Scrap Disposal in Indiana

Regardless of your metal applications, it is important to responsibly dispose of all of your scrap steel in order to preserve our natural resources and reduce the need to mine for new orders. Contact your trusted Indianapolis metal recycling center to earn instant cash for all of your scrap steel and metal commodities. Be sure to choose a recycling company that adheres to all local and state regulations, as well as all EPA guidelines for responsible scrap disposal.

Are you ready to recycle your scrap steel for cash on the spot in Indiana? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all scrap metal and metal commodities, including cars, construction equipment, and auto parts.

Related Posts:

The Basic Types of Steel Metal
This Fact About Steel Will Shock You
What You Can Do With Surplus Steel

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Top 5 Metals to Source From Household Scrap

There are various benefits to metal recycling, which is why it is one of the most esteemed ecological initiatives across the world. All metal can be recycled, repurposed, and refurbished into new commodities. In fact, recycled metal has useful applications in countless industries, including automotive manufacturing, construction and building, and even mechanical engineering.

The best part about metal recycling is that you don’t even have to leave your own house! From the garage to the basement and everywhere in between, household scrap can be turned into valuable trade-ins at your local metal recycling center. Continue reading to learn the top five metals to source from your household scrap!

Household Scrap Metal Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Household Scrap Metal Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

Common Scrap Metals Found Right At Home

When you begin your search for scrap metal to recycle, don’t skip any square footage of your house. Scrap metal can be found in all sorts of places, including the garage, basement, attic, shed, kitchen, closets, and much more. Here’s a little guide to help you figure out where you can begin your search for recyclable metal at home:

Stainless Steel

You probably don’t have to look very far to find stainless steel in your house. Refrigerators are one of the most common forms of stainless steel found in home or in an office, but other appliances commonly made with large amounts of stainless steel include washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashing machines, and microwaves. Other types of stainless steel scrap you may find around the house include old lighting elements, plumbing fixtures, and kitchen sinks.

Aluminum

Scrap aluminum can be found in various forms all around the house. The most common type of aluminum scrap metal our food and soda cans. However, these cans can sometimes be made of tin other types of aluminum scrap include old fencing, aluminum siding, downspouts, gutters, and flat sheet metal roofing. If you have it, old aluminum cookware can be recycled too!

Copper

Copper is 100% recyclable, and easily sourced in the average household scrap. Anything with a computer, which includes most electronics, will contain copper wiring, which is a valuable asset to any local Indianapolis metal recycling center. Additional sources of copper include plumbing fixtures, copper gutter systems, metal house to core, and construction materials.

Brass

Brass looks a lot like copper and performs quite similarly too, but it is a completely different metal. Not to worry though, as brass and copper are both valuable metals that can be recycled. Around the house, look for scrap brass in the form of old plumbing fixtures, doorknobs, home décor, statuettes, trophies, and bed frames.

Cast-Iron

If you have some old cast-iron skillets, they are a perfectly recyclable metal. Other forms of cast iron to look for around the house include cast-iron pots, fireplace pokers, radiators, boilers, and even in bathtubs. Plumbing pipes that are very old may also have cast iron components that can be recycled.

Are you looking for a local metal recycling center you can trust to pay you the most money for your household scrap? Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle household scrap metal in Central and Southern Indiana for cash on the spot!

Related Posts:

Do You Know What Makes Brass and Bronze Different From Each Other?
3 Types of Magnetic Stainless Steel
The Various Grades of Aluminum Metal

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322