Getting Started With Ferrous Metal Recycling: What You Need To Know

Recycling ferrous metals is an important part of reducing our environmental footprint and conserving natural resources. But for many, the prospect of getting started in ferrous metal recycling can be daunting. Where do I start? What kind of equipment do I need? How much will it cost?

These are all valid questions that need to be answered before you dive into your first project. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what ferrous metal recycling is, what types of materials qualify as ferrous metals, and the steps needed to get up and running with a successful ferrous metal recycling operation. We’ll also discuss the costs associated with starting a business in this field so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you.

By the end of this blog, you should have all the information you need to begin your journey towards becoming a successful recycler!

Call 1-888-586-5322 For Ferrous Metal Recycling in Indianapolis.
Call 1-888-586-5322 For Ferrous Metal Recycling in Indianapolis.

The 401 on Recycling Ferrous Metals

To begin, let’s define what ferrous metal recycling is and discuss why it’s important. Ferrous metals are any type of metal containing iron, such as steel or cast iron. These materials are highly recyclable and can be melted down and reused for a variety of purposes. In fact, over 80% of ferrous metal produced each year is recycled! This recycling process not only conserves natural resources, but it helps reduce the amount of waste material that needs to be disposed of in landfills.

With this understanding, let’s look at what types of ferrous metals can be recycled. The most common type of ferrous metal is steel, which can be recycled from a variety of sources including cars, appliances, and even buildings. Other ferrous metals such as cast iron, wrought iron, and stainless steel can also be recycled.

How to Recycle Ferrous Metal

Now that we’ve established what types of materials qualify as ferrous metals, let’s talk about recycling them. The best option is to take your scrap ferrous metal to a registered scrap metal recycling company in Indianapolis. They not only provide you with great service and value for scrap metal recycling but will also accept scrap auto parts and different types of scrap appliances as well.

At a typical Indiana metal recycling center, you can expect that they will inspect the item to be recycled, classify it, weigh it, and then proceed with payment depending on the scrap’s worth. If you have any questions regarding scrap metal recycling and their processes, you can always reach out to their customer service directly since they are always willing to help. Additionally, if you plan to sell the recycled material, you’ll need to consider the cost of transportation and storage.

Get Started With Ferric Metal Recycling Today!

Getting started with ferrous metal recycling is an important step in protecting our environment and conserving natural resources. With the right equipment, knowledge, and dedication, you can turn your passion for sustainability into a successful business venture! Be sure to do your research and plan accordingly before diving in to ensure that you get the most out of your ferrous metal recycling experience.

Are you looking to find the most reliable scrap metal buyers in Indy that provide superb payouts and an effortless recycling process? Just contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for the highest standards of professionalism, and the highest payouts for metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Why We Need to Recycle More Scrap Steel

Continue below to learn why steel is such as valuable and necessary metal that should be recycled and reprocessed as much as possible.

Steel Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Steel Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

Facts About the Properties of Steel

Steel metal is an alloy of iron and carbon, and sometimes other elements. Because of its high tensile strength and low cost, it is a major component in buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, automobiles, machines, appliances, and weapons. Iron is the base metal of steel. Iron is able to take on two crystalline forms (allotropic forms), body centered cubic (BCC), and face centered cubic (FCC), depending on its temperature. In the body-centered cubic arrangement, there is an iron atom in the center of each cube, and in the face-centered cubic, there is one at the center of each of the six faces of the cube. At the body-centered cubic phase, it becomes a weaker and softer metal. When steel has too little carbon, it is known as wrought iron. Wrought iron is malleable, but not as tough as steel.

Carbon Composition in Steel

The amount of carbon in steel affects its properties to a great extent. Steel with less than 0.2% carbon by weight is known as “mild steel” or “low-carbon steel”. It has good machinability, ductility, and weldability. This type of steel is used for making pipes, auto parts, machine tools, buildings, bridges, railway tracks, ships etc. Medium-carbon steel (0.2% to 0.5% carbon) is used for making tools, machine parts, pipes, railway tracks etc. because of its good hardness, strength, and wear resistance. High-carbon steel (0.5% to 1.0% carbon) is used for making knives, cutting tools, springs, bearings etc. because of its extremely high hardness and wear resistance. Ultra-high-carbon steel (1.0% to 2.0% carbon) is the hardest and strongest type of steel, but it is also very brittle. It is used for making cutting tools, knives, drill bits etc.

Classifications of Steel Metal

Steel can be classified into four main types: carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel and stainless steel. Carbon steel is the most common type of steel. It contains only a small amount of carbon (usually less than 0.25%). Carbon steel is further divided into low-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, and high-carbon steel. Alloy steel contains one or more alloying elements (e.g. manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium etc.) in addition to carbon.

Tool steel contains a high concentration of carbon (usually between 1.0% and 2.0%), as well as one or more alloying elements, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, or tungsten, which gives it special properties that are suitable for making tools. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium and sometimes other elements (e.g. nickel, molybdenum, titanium etc.), that resists corrosion and oxidation. The chromium content of stainless steel ranges from 10% to 30%. Stainless steel is used for making kitchen utensils, surgical instruments, food processing equipment, chemical containers, and more.

The Importance of Steel Recycling

Steel recycling is important because it conserves natural resources, saves energy and reduces pollution. Steel is the most recycled material in the world—more than all other materials combined. While steel production emits greenhouse gases, the recycling of steel drastically reduces these emissions. Recycling just one ton of steel cans saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling steel conserves energy and other natural resources. It takes 75 percent less energy to recycle a pound of steel than it does to create a new pound from scratch. This is because the process of melting and reforming steel from recycled scrap uses only a fraction of the energy required to process virgin ore.

 Steel recycling also reduces pollution by cutting down on the need to mine, transport and process new ore. The steel-making process is one of the most energy-intensive and polluting industries in the world. Every year, steel production generates around 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, about 5 percent of global emissions. Reducing the need for new steel production can help to reduce these emissions and slow down climate change.

While recycling steel has many environmental benefits, it also makes good economic sense. Recycling steel saves money by reducing the need to buy new materials, and it also creates jobs in the steel recycling and manufacturing industries.

In short, steel recycling is important because it helps to conserve resources, save energy and reduce pollution. Steel is the most recycled material in the world, and recycling just one ton of steel can save 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. Recycling steel also creates jobs and reduces pollution.

Are you wondering which Indianapolis metal recycling center will pay you the most cash for your steel and iron scrap metal? 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 pay cash on the spot! We also offer free junk car removal.

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How to Recycle Metal Beer Kegs in Indianapolis

Ah, summer. A time to relax and enjoy all that sunshine and ambient climate bestows upon us. What better way to relish in such pleasure than with some cool, refreshing beer? Summertime is beer season, after all, and many kegs are gratifyingly extinguished by your loyal patrons this time of year. Fortunately, metal beer kegs are also highly durable and therefore reusable, which means you can refill them over and over again so long as they remain in good condition. If a beer keg breaks or loses quality, it is not the best option for storing and serving your brewery’s concoctions to your customers, however, it can be applied in so many other ways through scrap metal recycling!

Continue reading to learn how to recycle metal beer kegs in Indianapolis for cash on the spot!

Brewery Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Brewery Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

Metal Keg Composition and Scrap Value

Primarily made of stainless steel but sometimes aluminum, beer kegs are good sources of recyclable metal, weighing an average of 30 pounds at empty. When comparing the average weight-to-scrap value ratios, take note of 304 stainless steel prices. Right now, 304 stainless steel comes in at $2.02 per pound. This would give your empty metal keg a scrap value of $60.60, give or take. Metal kegs are valuable to scrappers and the economy because they can be reprocessed and reformed into several other commodities, like hardware and machinery components, sheet metal, cables, and more.

A Guide to Brewery Recycling in Indiana

There are scrap metal recycling laws in Indiana that regulate beer keg recycling. But these laws and regulations are in place to abate criminal activity, like theft. For instance, in order to lawfully sell a metal beer keg to a scrapyard, the keg must not be labeled as the property of a brewery unless that brewery is your own or you have permission as the operating manager to recycle your broken or old kegs.

Also, the keg’s identification markings must be legible. If they are not, the scrapper cannot and will not accept the item. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is a trade association of scrap yard operators that works alongside the Brewers Association and ScrapTheftAlert.com to warn potential sellers that stolen kegs are not accepted and will be reported to authorities.

As the owner or operator of an Indy-based brewery, you may have some broken or old kegs to recycle. The key to recycling metal kegs in Indianapolis is to choose the right scrap metal recycling center. Not all scrappers pay cash for metal scrap, and the ones that do are not always quick to hand over the money. Furthermore, there are scrap dealers out there that do not adhere to local and EPA regulations for responsible scrapping. For these reasons, it is important to find a reputable and experienced Indianapolis scrap metal recycling company that will process your materials responsibly and pay you cash on the spot for its scrap value.

Are you looking for a responsible metal scrapper in your area of Indy? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a certified scrap metal buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all scrap metal items, including junk cars, appliances, electronics, construction scrap, aluminum, and more.

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Can I Recycle Old Dexion Materials?

If you find yourself with a heap of industrial shelving known as Dexion, you are in luck! Anything made of metal is 100% recyclable and reusable, especially steel. Not only can you recycle Dexion and similar modular shelving systems, but you can earn a profit too. Continue below to learn more about Dexion, including how to recycle steel shelving in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Industrial Metal Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Industrial Metal Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

Dexion is Steel Shelving for Industrial Use

Dexion is a slotted, right-angled, modular industrial steel shelving system. Although there are some alternatives available, Dexion is popular due to its beneficial properties, including high versatility of use and design, as well as high durability and an inexpensive price point. So, it is no surprise that you have a surplus of used industrial Dexion shelving on your hands.

Many large offices, warehouses, storage facilities, metal shops, woodworking studios, and commercial building structures use Dexion. Whether you are a demolition manager looking to incorporate greener construction recycling initiatives, a large-chain office branch closing its doors, a warehouse making new modular arrangements, or an estate executor cleaning out your grandfather’s garage inventories, you can make the most out of your scrap Dexion by recycling it for cash at a local metal recycling center.

Dexion Composition

Although Dexion is a steel commodity, it may also contain iron and other alloys. Furthermore, it is often galvanized or powder-coated to provide additional strength and corrosion-resistance. Altogether, the composition of Dexion makes it the durable and dependable slotted steel shelving system well-liked in the industrial industries.

How to Recycle Industrial Steel Shelving

If you are wondering how to recycle Dexion in Indianapolis, you will be pleased to learn that it is a simple process. Simply transport your cargo to a trusted and long-established Indiana scrap metal recycling business that will pay you cash on the spot for your materials. Once there, request a free quote. They should have innovative technologies and resources to accurately quantify the metal value of your Dexion.

Price of Scrap Steel

The offer you receive for your Dexion or steel industrial shelving will depend mostly on the current market prices for scrap steel. Fortunately, most steel prices are good right now, but keep in mind that they can change daily. To ensure you get the most cash for your scrap metal, be sure to choose a professional scrap metal center in Indianapolis.

Are you ready to recycle industrial scrap metal? Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for certified and EPA-approved industrial metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. We use a concentrated, systematic approach and advanced technologies to ensure you receive an accurate estimate in accordance with the current market prices for metal.

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What’s the Deal With High Carbon Steel?

High carbon steel has many fascinating and useful properties. Continue below to review some of the most important facts about high carbon steel, including what it is, how we use it, and where to drop it off for recycling near you!

Steel Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Steel Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

High Carbon Steel Composition

As you may have wisely guessed it by now, the two primary constituents in high carbon steel are steel and carbon. Carbon steel is steel that contains carbon elements. Depending on how much carbon it has, steel can be labeled low carbon steel, medium carbon steel, and high carbon steel. Low carbon steel contains less than a quarter percent of carbon, while medium carbon steel usually has between 0.25 percent and 0.55 percent carbon. High carbon steel contains even more carbon than that!

Low Carbon Steel = Less Than 0.25% Carbon

Medium Carbon Steel = 0.25% to 0.55% Carbon

High Carbon Steel = 0.55% Carbon or More

Tool Carbon Steel = More Than 0.8% Carbon

Properties of High Carbon Steel

High carbon steel has several useful properties. Not only is it very hard and strong, but it is also resistant to high levels of heat and resistant to wear and tear. Furthermore, it offers moderate ductility, meaning it can be formed and fashioned, even bent or warped, but still not break. After learning these properties of high carbon steel, you can better understand why we use it the way we do!

Applications

The truth is, because the high carbon level in high carbon steel actually makes it quite brittle, it significantly restricts its possible uses. However, this does not mean we do not use plenty of high carbon steel in our society. High carbon steel is used in a wide range of industries and in various fashions. Some of the most common high carbon steel commodities include cast iron items, like gates, plumbing fixtures, art, and furniture. Additional uses include wood stoves, cookware, cutting tools, and masonry nails.

How to Support Steel Sustainability

All forms of steel, and metal for that matter, are 100% recyclable. To help support steel sustainability and preserve our natural resources, be sure to recycle all of your scrap metal, at work and at home. Many reputable metal recycling companies in Indianapolis will pay you for your scrap metal goods!

Do you have left over metal materials or scrap metal to recycle for cash in Indiana? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle scrap metal in Indianapolis and make the most profit in town. We accept all metal and metal commodities, especially vehicles!

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Are Steel Prices Good Right Now?

Steel is an important material used in various applications all over the globe. In fact, it is hard to name an industry that does not use some form of steel in some way or another! With these facts being true, you can surely imagine the importance of recycling and repurposing steel as much as possible. Steel recycling supports a wide range of benefits and delivers a scope of advantages for everyone and the entire planet.

Recycling steel is a great way to preserve our natural resources by decreasing our need to mine for new steel ore, inflate the economy by providing jobs and putting cash in your wallet, and much more. For these reasons, you are encouraged to recycle all your steel and metal scrap. Did you get that part about the cash in your wallet? Scrap metal companies in Indianapolis will pay you cash for your metal scrap based on the current metal prices and similar factors! This might have you wondering how good the steel prices are right now.

Continue reading to learn more about the current scrap steel prices, plus where you can earn top dollar for your metal scrap in Indianapolis.

Steel Recycling for Cash Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Steel Recycling for Cash Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

Current Steel Prices for 2022

Last year, the steel supply was down. But this year, steel is in surplus, making the price more normalized than in previous years. It is important to understand that the price of steel, and all scrap metal for that matter, fluctuates on a continuous basis. Prices can change by the day, the hour, and even the minute! It is wise to check the market on a regular basis if you are wishing to be strategic about your scrapping profits.

As of today, February 18th, 2022, most steel prices are up:

Steel BX =▲$0.26/lb.
Stainless Steel = ▲$0.76/lb.
Nonmagnetic Stainless Steel = ▲$0.71/lb.
Stainless Steel Breakage = ▲$0.71/lb.

Stainless Steel Heat Sinks = ▲$0.69/lb.
Stainless Steel Sinks = ▲$0.28/lb.
Stainless Steel Kegs = ▲$0.48/lb.
PC Board w/Steel = ▲$0.42/lb.

400 Series Stainless Steel = ▲$0.16/lb.
310 Stainless Steel = ▲$1.13/lb.
316 Stainless Steel = ▲$0.93/lb.
321 Stainless Steel = ▲$0.63/lb.

#1 Steel = ▲$251.00/ton
#1 Heavy Melting Steel = ▲$288.00/ton
#2 Heavy Melting Steel = ▲$206.00/ton
#1 Prepared Steel = ▲$284.00/ton

#2 Prepared Steel = ▲$211.00/ton
Steel Shavings = ▲$102.00/ton
Shreddable Steel = ▲$248.00/ton
Plate and Structural Steel = ▲$252.00/ton

Complete Car = ▲$227.00/ton

Some Steel Prices are Down:

17-4 Stainless Steel = ▼$0.28/lb.
High Speed Steel = ▼$0.16/lb.
300 Series Stainless Steel = ▼$0.74/lb.
304 Stainless Steel = ▼$0.70/lb.
*SOURCE

Are you looking for a Central Indiana scrap metal recycling center for steel recycling? Just contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for the highest standards of professionalism, and the highest payouts for steel metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for scrap steel and more!

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

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.

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

What You Can Do With Surplus Steel

Whether you own a construction company or teach a metal fabrication class, having a surplus of leftover steel from a recent project can benefit you greatly in many ways. Continue reading to learn what you can do with surplus steel, including one way that will make you an instant cash profit right here in central Indiana.

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

The Advantages of Scrap Steel

One the best attributes of scrap steel is that it is 100% recyclable and can be repurposed into a countless number of commodities applicable in a wide range of industries. From construction and farming to automotive manufacturing, food canning, and much more, steel plays a vital role in our nation’s economy, as well as the global economy.

So, when you have leftover steel that seems to serve no purpose, look to these ideas to make the most out of your scrap metal:

Artwork

Do you have an artist in the family? Scrap metal, especially steel piping and sheet metal, can be used to create magnificent art projects and artworks. From sculptures and statues to abstract figures and more, steel makes the perfect material for molding and welding art of all forms.

Structural Repairs

If you consider yourself a pretty capable handyman, you can use your left over scrap steel to provide certain reinforcements and repairs around your home or business. You can use scrap steel to build handrails and banisters, or to reinforce patios and decking.

Shed Construction

If you are preparing to build a new shed or storage utility barn on your property, your leftover steel scrap can be put to good use. Talk to your general contractor about incorporating your left over scrap in order to reduce the cost of materials.

Steel Recycling

The best thing you could possibly do with your surplus steel is to sell it to a local metal recycling center for cash on the spot. Not all metal recycling centers in Indiana pay cash on the spot, or at all for that matter, so it’s important for you to do your research. Supporting steel recycling is an important initiative that can make you feel good and fatten up your wallet!

Are you looking for a trusted Indiana metal recycling company that will pay you top dollar for your steel? 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 scrap steel and construction scrap.

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

Why You Should Recycle Steel Automotive Parts

Recycling junk cars has a huge impact on our environment, economy, and more; an impact that is entirely positive. There are many benefits of junk car recycling, most of which involve steel. Continue reading to learn why it is important to recycle the steel in junk cars, and how you can personally contribute to this wonderful initiative.

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

Most Vehicles Contain More Steel Than Any Other Metal

Most vehicles are manufactured with steel because it is a highly durable, strong, and dependable metal. Not only can it protect drivers and passengers, but it can also be recycled and repurposed over and over again. In fact, most steel is made from existing steel materials, which does wonders to preserve our natural resources, conserve energy, and reduce harmful emissions produced by metal refining factories. According to the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), “recycling a single ton conserves 2500 pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.”

Vehicles, on average, are 60% steel and iron. The shell alone is 25% of the total amount of steel in a car or truck, on average. This includes the quarter panels, trunk, hood, and doors. Additionally, internal parts and metal components are recycled for their steel, such as automotive parts, gaskets, circuit boards, and more.

Tons of Automotive Steel are Recycled Every Year

Motorized vehicles are among the most frequently recycled consumer product in the country. Regardless of who owned them or what happened to them, virtually all cars end up in the recycling process. According to the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), more than 14 million tons of steel from cars are recycled each year. This can actually be argued as a 100% recycling rate among vehicles no longer suited for the road!

The Auto Salvaging Process

The junk car recycling process, although not too complicated, requires a fleet of highly-specialized equipment and technology. Most metal reprocessing centers will start by draining the vehicle of any remaining fluids to stay within environmentally responsible recycling practices. These fluids include transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield wiper fluid, radiator fluid, battery fluid, and motor oil. Next, they will begin to dismantle the vehicle of all its reusable parts, like wheels, tires, headlights, doors, windows, fenders, bumpers, trunk lids, stereos, and any operational or repairable auto parts.

After a vehicle is finished with the draining and dismantling process, all that’s left are scattered hulks. This is usually shredded in an industrial metal shredder, which is an enormous and innovative machine that can shred large hulks down to fist-sized pieces in less than 45 seconds. These pieces are a compilation of steel, non-steel metals, and fluff (non-recyclable rubber, plastic, glass, etc.). A large magnetic sorter is used to separate the steel and iron pieces from the rest of the shredding material, which are then shipped all across the country to various metal buyers, reprocessed, and steel mills.

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to get started with your contribution to steel recycling initiative. Recycle scrap metal and junk metal commodities in Central and Southern Indiana for cash on the spot!

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

The Basic Types of Steel Metal

If you were to ask the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), they would tell you that steel can be categorized into four basic groups according to their individual chemical compositions. These four groups include 1) Carbon steel, 2) Alloy steel, 3) Stainless steel, and 4) Tool steel. All steel is composed of both iron and carbon, but vary in type depending on certain physical, chemical, and environmental properties, all of which are determined by the amount of carbon and any additional alloys.

Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about each type of steel, and where you can make fast cash by recycling your scrap steel in Indiana.

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

Categories of Carbon Steel

Carbon steel can be further categorized into three groups, which are low carbon, medium carbon, and high carbon. Low carbon, also called mild steel, is one of the largest categories of carbon steel, and generally contains anywhere from 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. Medium carbon generally contains anywhere from 0.31% to 0.60% carbon content, as well as a range of 0.60% to 1.65% of manganese content. High carbon steel is informally known as “carbon tool steel” and contains 0.61% to 1.50% carbon content. It is difficult to manipulate, and becomes very brittle when heat-treated.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel contains added alloys that make is extremely resistant to corrosion in comparison to carbon and alloy steel. This is why it is commonly used in the medical/surgical industries, appliance industry, hardware manufacturing industry, food processing/handling industry, architectural industry, and more. It contains both carbon and iron, as mentioned before, but stainless steel generally contains other alloys as well, such as Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), or Nickel (Ni). 

Alloy Steel

Alloy steel also contains carbon, since all steel contains both carbon and iron. But alloy steel also contains a marginal number of additional elements, such as Nickle (Ni), Chromium (Cr), and Manganese (Mn). This type of steel is popular and commonly used due to their wide availability, economical costs, ease of processing, and quality mechanical properties. In comparison to carbon steel, alloy steel is more responsive to mechanical and heat treatments. Heated alloy steel comes in wither annealed or normalized.

Tool Steel

Tool steel is a general term to describe a variety of steels that retain high-hardness and abrasion-resistance properties. Specific applications for tool steel include stamping, extrusion, dies, cutting, mold-making, or impact applications such as hammering.

Where to Recycle Scrap Steel in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for superior scrap steel recycling services in Indianapolis, or in Central and Southern Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as, junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and much more! Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.

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