If you are entering into the world of scrap metal recycling, it will help to learn which metals you will likely come by and how their particular properties can affect your overall profit. Although there are various kinds of metals and metal alloys, most can fit into one of five basic categories. The top five fundamental categories arguably include ferrous, nonferrous, precious, base, and noble metals.

Continue reading to learn some facts about each category, as well as, how to get started with earning money for your scrap metal.

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❶ Ferrous Metals

The word “ferrous” translates to “of iron”, so ferrous metals are those that contain iron. Iron retains magnetic properties, which means that magnets will attract to commodities that are primarily comprised of iron. However in some cases, the concentration of iron is too weak to attract a magnet, so additional equipment would be necessary in determining its true composition. The most common types of ferrous metals include wrought iron, cast iron, mild steel, carbon steel, and stainless steel.

❷ Nonferrous Metals

In contrast to ferrous metal, non-ferrous metals do not contain any iron content. If a magnet does not attract to an item, you can safely assume that it is nonferrous. Common types of nonferrous metals include copper, aluminum, lead, nickel, zinc, and brass.

❸ Precious Metals

Precious metals can be either ferrous or nonferrous, as they are any metal that retains high economic value and is a rare, naturally-occurring element. Common precious metals include gold and silver, but others high in value include platinum, zirconium, tungsten, cobalt, ruthenium, palladium, iridium, osmium, and rhodium.

❹ Noble Metals

Noble metals are still a debated category, as they are not always well-defined. However, for those who side with the categorization, noble metals are best defined as those that filled electron d-band. Under this definition, examples of noble metals would include gold, silver, and copper. Others suggest noble metals are those that resists oxidation and corrosion in moist air, which would exclude copper, but add in certain precious metals, like rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium.

❺ Base Metals

Base metals are metals that cannot, and are not, noble nor precious. In fact, a base metal is the opposite of a noble metal. On the other hand, silver could be an exception to this rule since it is sometimes used as a base metal for gold and platinum coatings. See our blog, “What are Base Metals?” to learn more about this category of metal.

Looking for a Scrap Metal Buyer in Indiana?

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle scrap metal in Indianapolis, Indiana. We buy and recycle any and all scrap metal and metal-containing commodities, regardless of condition. Whether it is covered in rust or not, we will accept anything with metal, including appliances, vehicles, auto parts, farm equipment, construction equipment and materials, boats, watercrafts, scooters, motorcycles, RVs, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

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Base Metals

As mentioned, a base metal is any common metal that cannot be categorized as noble or precious. Silver may be an exception to this rule, as it is sometimes used as a base metal for gold and platinum coatings. Furthermore, they are generally the most readily available and inexpensive metals. Base metals are also more prone to corrosion, oxidation, and tarnishing. Examples of base metals include lead, copper, tin, aluminum, and zinc. Brass and bronze are alloys of these metals, making them base metals as well.

Another interesting fact about the properties of base metals is that they produce hydrogen gas when diluted with hydrochloric acid. This practice is primarily used for galvanizing applications.

Base metals have a second definition as being the primary metallic element in an alloy. For instance, the base metal of bronze is copper. Similarly, the term base metal can take on the definition as the metal core underlying a coating. For example, steel may be the base metal of galvanized steel. And as mentioned, silver is sometimes coated in gold or rhodium, making it the base metal of those commodities.

Precious and Noble Metals

Precious metals are rare, naturally-occurring elemental metals with high economic value. Throughout history, they were used as currency. Even today, there are still sold and traded as investments, as well as, among private buyers and sellers. Examples include gold, silver, platinum, tungsten, zirconium, cobalt, palladium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium.

Noble metals are a grouping of metals that resist oxidation and corrosion in moist or humid air. Common examples in order of increasing atomic number include ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold. However, there are multiple “list” for noble metals, as some contain mercury while other may include rhenium. Some lists include gold, silver and copper, but leave out all others.

How to Profit From Scrap Metal in Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap metal in Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all metal and metal commodities, including vehicles, car parts, appliances, construction equipment, farming equipment, and much more! Collect all the scrap metal you can, and then sell it to us for the highest profit in town! Request a free estimate or information, today.

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Tag Archives: Base Metals

5 Fundamental Categories of Metal