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

Posted on January 31, 2023 by gardencity

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!

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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.

Nonferrous Metals 101: The Basics

Posted on November 22, 2022 by gardencity

Nonferrous metals are those that contain no iron. They are found in an alloy, or mixed form, with other metals and can be divided into two categories: base metals and precious metals. Some examples of nonferrous metals include copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, lead and gold. Nonferrous alloys have a vast number of applications in both industrial and consumer products.

In this post we will take a closer look at the basics of nonferrous alloys.

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Fundamental Facts About Non-Ferric Metal

Nonferrous metals are categorized by their lack of iron and instead contain other prevalent materials like aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, or zinc. Because of the distinct properties nonferrous metals exhibit, they have a wide range of applications in various industries.

Some of the key benefits of nonferrous metals include:

☑ They are resistant to corrosion
☑ They are lightweight-They conduct electricity well
☑ They have a high resistance to heat

Nonferrous metals are used in a variety of industries and applications, including:

▷ Automotive Industry: aluminum is used in the production of car bodies and engines

▷ Construction Industry: copper and aluminum are used in the construction of buildings

▷ Electrical Industry: copper is used in the production of electrical cables and wires

▷ Medical Industry: titanium is used in the production of artificial hips and knees

Nonferrous Metal Applications and Benefits

Nonferrous metals play an essential role in our everyday lives, and we rely on them for a wide range of applications. From the aluminum in our soda cans to the copper in our electrical wiring, nonferrous metals are an important part of our world. In addition to their widespread use in industry, nonferrous metals are also used in a variety of medical and dental applications. For example, gold is commonly used in dental fillings, and titanium is used to create artificial hip joints. Nonferrous metals are also becoming increasingly popular in the jewelry industry, as they are less likely to cause skin reactions than their ferrous counterparts.

As we continue to discover new uses for nonferrous metals, it is clear that they will remain an integral part of our lives for years to come. Nonferrous metals are an important part of our everyday lives and have a wide range of applications. This is one very important reason why we need to recycle metal at every given opportunity.

To sell your scrap metal and junk metal items for cash on the spot, choose the best scrap metal recycling complex in Indy. Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for a free quote. You can speak with a professional scrap metal buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all scrap metal and metal commodities, including junk cars and boats.

Top 2 Ways to Confirm Ferrous Metal

Posted on October 28, 2021 by gardencity

If you are trying to determine whether an object of metal is ferrous or not, these two quick and simple methods will confirm results in no time.

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What is Ferrous Metal?

Ferrous simply means iron, which means that ferritic metals contain nominal traces of iron. Common examples of ferrous metal include steel, stainless steel (unless it is a high-caliber stainless steel heavily galvanized with nickel), carbon steel, and tin. Nonferrous metals, like aluminum, brass, and copper, do not contain iron.

So, how do you know if something made of metal contains ferritic properties? Try these two fast and easy tests to make your confirmation.

► Magnet Test

Ferrous metals are attracted to magnets. Your refrigerator is donned with a cluster of magnets because it contains iron metal. So, the next time you need to test metal to tell if it is ferrous or nonferrous, simply grab one of your refrigerator magnets and see if it sticks. If the magnet drops off instantly, the object does not contain iron and therefore, is not ferrous, or nonferrous.

► Rust Observation Test

Another test that might be even quicker than the first is the rust observation test. You see, ferrous metal does not rust, which is caused by a process known as oxidation. When the properties of nonferrous metal are exposed to oxygen, rust will begin to form. If you examine your object for rust and find none, you are likely dealing with a ferrous metal. But to be sure, try the magnet test too.

Using X-Ray Metal Analyzers

For some metal objects and commodities, deciphering the metal composition in detail is not so cut and dry. Metal analyzing equipment and technologies, such as XRF analyzers, are used to precisely confirm the metal constituents within an object.

Are you ready to sell your ferrous and nonferrous metals for cash on the spot? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all metals.

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List of Ferrous and Nonferrous Metals That Can Be Recycled

Posted on September 28, 2021 by gardencity

There are various types of metal found all around the world, but all metals can be placed into one of two categories: ferrous or non-ferrous. The most distinguishing difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal is iron. How can you tell the difference between a ferrous and nonferrous metal? If a magnet sticks to the metal, it contains iron, which would make it ferrous.

You see, iron is a magnetic metal, so if a magnetic sticks, it must contain a sufficient amount of iron content. 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. Precious metals can also be ferrous or nonferrous. They are rare, naturally-occurring elemental metals that have a high economic value.

Continue below to review a list of the most common ferrous and nonferrous metals that can be recycled, as well as where to recycle your scrap metal in Indianapolis!

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Ferrous Metals that Can Be Recycled

▷ Stainless Steel
▷ Iron
▷ Carbon Steel
▷ Mild Steel
▷ Cast/Wrought Iron
▷ Iron

Non-Ferrous Metals that Can Be Recycled

► Copper
► Aluminum
► Brass
► Lead
► Tin
► Titanium
► Zinc
► Nickel

Non-Ferrous Precious Metals that Can Be Recycled

▷ Gold
▷ Silver
▷ Platinum

Exotic Non-Ferrous Precious Metals that Can Be Recycled

► Cobalt
► Bismuth
► Beryllium
► Zirconium
► Cadmium
► Mercury
► Tungsten

Are you ready to recycle metal and make some fast cash at the same time? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to learn why our scrap metal recycling center in Indianapolis is the leading choice among environmental supporters here in Indiana!

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Does Stainless Steel Have Magnetic Properties?

Posted on March 27, 2019 by gardencity

Stainless steel is one of the most sought-after metals in various industries all over the world for many reasons. One of the most valuable properties of stainless steel is its non-porous and thus, resistance to corrosion. You see, stainless steel contains a combination of alloys, including nickel, magnesium, chromium, copper, and iron. It is the chromium coating that gives stainless steel the ability to defend against rust and corrosion.

There are many more wonderful attributes of stainless steel; but what about magnetism? Is stainless steel magnetic? Many people want to know, but many people will tell you different answers. Continue reading to clear up the confusion for good.

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

Depending on the application, magnetic properties of a stainless steel commodity can have an effect on its performance. This is why you might care whether or not stainless steel is magnetic. Before you can understand the possible magnetic properties of stainless steel, you must first understand ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and the difference between the two.

Ferrous metals are metals, or alloys, that contain iron. The word “ferrous” literally translates to “iron”, making it easy to understand what a non-ferrous metal it. The term “non-ferrous” means “non-iron”, which means that non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron. Read our blog, “The Discerning Attributes of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal” to understand these differences in better detail.

Stainless Steel and Magnetism

Getting back on topic, the test to identify ferrous and non-ferrous metals is through the use of magnets. Magnets are attracted to iron metal, which means a magnet will stick to something that contains iron, or is ferrous. If you stick a magnet to something, and it does not attract, the item likely does not contain iron, making it non-ferrous. So when you ask whether or not stainless steel is magnetic, you really might want to ask yourself is stainless steel ferrous or non-ferrous metal.

Most people assume stainless steel is magnetic because it contains iron in its chemical composition; but this is where the confusion comes into play. You see, although it contains iron, stainless steel isn’t always magnetic. In addition to containing iron to be magnetic, stainless steel must also be manufactured with a crystal structure arranged in a ferritic or martensitic structure. If it does not have both of these attributes, or mostly consists of of an austenite structure, it may not be magnetic.

✨ Check back with next month’s blog where we will discuss which types of stainless steel are magnetic, and how they compare to austenitic structures, which are not.

Sell Your Scrap Steel for Cash on the Spot!

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap steel in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding regions. We pay cash on the spot for all scrap metal and metal commodities, including appliances, vehicles, construction equipment, building materials, 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.

The Discerning Attributes of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal

Posted on June 8, 2017 by gardencity

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There are various types of metal found all around the world, but all metals can be placed into one of two categories: ferrous or non-ferrous. The most distinguishing difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal is iron. Iron is among the most common chemical elements on the planet, and found primarily in the Earth’s crust. When metal contains iron, regardless of how little the content, it is considered a ferrous metal. In contrast, non-ferrous metals do not contain any iron content. An easy way to remember this rule is to remember that non-ferrous means non-iron.

So how do you tell the difference between a ferrous and non-ferrous metal?

The answer is a magnet! If the magnet sticks to the metal, the metal contains iron, which would make it ferrous. You see, iron is a magnetic metal, so if a magnetic sticks, it must contain a sufficient amount of iron content. 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. Look below to learn some examples of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and their common applications.

Ferrous Metals

Wrought Iron: Composition is virtually 100% iron content. Common applications include fencing and ornamental gates.

Cast Iron: This strong but brittle metal contains mostly iron, but also contains anywhere from 2 to 6% carbon. It is commonly used to make engine blocks and sewer covers.

Mild Steel: Mild steel has a mostly iron composition, but also contains between 0.1 to 0.3% of carbon. Its primary application is engineering, but also non-specialized metal products manufacturing.

Carbon Steel: Iron metal containing 0.6 to 1.4% carbon content. It is commonly used to make metal cutting tools and tool parts, like drill bits and bushings.

Stainless Steel: A popular finish for home appliances, stainless steel contains iron, nickel, and chromium. Because it is stain and corrosion-resistant, it is commonly used to make surgical instruments and cutlery.

Non-Ferrous Metals

Copper: A naturally-occurring element, copper contains no iron content. Because of its electricity and heat-transfer attributes, it is commonly used to make electrical wiring, tubing, and plumbing pipes.

Aluminum: Aluminum contains manganese, copper, and aluminum content. It is highly malleable and lightweight, so it is commonly used in the aircraft manufacturing industry, but also for kitchenware, window frames, and more.

Lead: Also a naturally-occurring element, lead is a soft, but heavy, metal. It is primarily used to make batteries, roofing materials, and pipework.

Brass: Brass is made up of mostly copper, but contains up t0 35% zinc as well. It is commonly used to make ornamental commodities and electrical fittings.

Recycle Your Scrap Metal for Cash

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Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle scrap metal and junk metal commodities 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.