If you are looking to earn some money in metal recycling, be sure you are looking for quality metals to sell to your local scrap metal buyers! One of the most highly sought out metals are those that are resistant to corrosion. If you can find corrosion-resistant scrap metal to recycle at a local scrap metal center, you are in for quite the profit.

Continue reading to learn which metals are most resistant to corrosion, and where you might find them at.

Metals That Resist Corrosion

There are several types of metals and alloys that are resistant to corrosion, including oxidation, or rust. However, the most dependable, and therefore mostly applied, are stainless steel, galvanized steel aluminum, and copper, including bronze and brass.

Stainless Steel

Because stainless steel is made using a combination of nickel, magnesium, chromium copper and iron, it is a very strong and durable alloy that contains several properties that deliver a wide range of benefits. Although its chromium content makes it highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, if the surface is scratched, it can sometimes develop rust. For this reason, the 304 series is the most common version of stainless steel used in industries where rust is forbidden, such as the restaurant and food industry. Ths type of stainless steel is the most resistant to rust and corrosion. You can find it in components like kitchen sinks, food processing equipment, steam table pans, and more.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel is steel that has been treated with an outer layer or coating of zinc. Galvanization is a process that applies a type of sealant on metal to protect it from natural wear and tear, like rust. It involves coating metal with an outer layer of metallic zinc by means of electroplating or hot-dip galvanizing. The zinc stops any substances, like moisture and oxygen, to penetrate the metal. This reduces rust formation and preserves the structural integrity of metal.

Aluminum

Aluminum is found on the periodic table with the symbol “Al” and atomic number 13. It has a silvery white finish, and mostly admired for its magnetic and ductile (good heat conductivity) properties. This makes aluminum a ferrous metal, meaning it contains iron. Compared to stainless steel, aluminum has higher oxidation and corrosion resistance properties, and is very light in weight. You can find aluminum in the form of food and soda cans, rolled foil, kitchen back splashes, counter tops, food preparation surfaces, factory processing equipment, and more.

Copper, Bronze, and Brass

Because copper, bronze and brass retain little to no iron content, they do not rust. They can, however, react with oxygen which can lead to a beneficial type of oxidation. You see, copper oxidizes over time and forms a green patina that shields the copper from further oxidization and corrosion. Bronze is an alloy of copper. A combination of copper and tin makes a copper alloy known as bronze. It, along with small amounts of other elements within, are naturally more resistant to corrosion than copper. The same facts apply to brass, which is also an alloy of copper made from zinc and other elements, and also highly resistant to corrosion.

Where to Recycle Scrap Metal for Cash

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle metal 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! Get rid of your junk and make some fast cash at the same time.